Schmidt Ocean Institute - Research Vessel & Grant Program

Enriched International · Found: 2026-03-10 22:05

Provides free ship time aboard RV Falkor (too) plus technical support for ocean research. Ocean Exploration & Discovery Grant (with NatGeo) offers up to USD 20,000 for early career scientists. Ocean Biogeochemistry Virtual Institute supports 5 global projects.

Source: https://schmidtocean.org/apply/

Funding Details

Funder

Schmidt Ocean Institute

Funding Goal

Providing free access to research vessel R/V Falkor (too) and associated scientific equipment, facilities, and technical support for multidisciplinary ocean science research. Supporting collaborative research across seven thematic priority areas including seafloor mapping, biodiversity, ocean health, physical oceanography, deep-sea exploration, marine technology, and human impacts on the ocean.

Funding Amount

Free ship time — no cash grant; investigators must fund their own salary, travel, shipping, and analysis costs

Deadline

Rolling basis (Rolling)

How to Apply

Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the online portal at schmidtocean.org/expression-of-interest. EOIs are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed twice per year. EOIs should specify year, location, and research objectives aligned with SOI's Strategic Framework. Current intake: expeditions from 2029 onwards.

Target Region

Global — ocean regions where R/V Falkor (too) operates (map on SOI website)

Contact

schmidtocean.org/contact/

Last Checked

2026-05-07 05:51

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Teams must include researchers from geographic regions where vessel operates (encouraged)

Project Scope

• Research must align with one of SOI's 7 strategic thematic priority areas
• Must commit to expedition outreach activities aligned with SOI communications goals

Required Documents

• Submit Expression of Interest via SOI online portal

Constraints

• Investigators must self-fund salary, travel, shipping, and analysis costs
• All data collected aboard must be shared openly and in real-time
• EOIs accepted on rolling basis; reviewed twice per year
• Current intake: expeditions from 2029 onwards

Summary

Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) operates the research vessel R/V Falkor (too) and provides free access to its full scientific capabilities — including onboard labs, analytical equipment, ROV SuBastian, and technical/communications support — to qualified research teams worldwide. The programme is not a cash grant but rather an in-kind research infrastructure programme. SOI prioritises research in seven thematic areas: (1) Mapping the Seafloor, including uncharted regions, seamounts, and plate boundaries; (2) Frontiers of Biodiversity, including discovery of life in extreme environments and deep-sea biodiversity; (3) Stability of Ocean Health, covering marine gases, nutrient cycles, ocean carbon, deoxygenation, and microplastics research; (4) Power of Nature, including boundary layer dynamics and vertical mixing; (5) Exploring the Deep, including hydrothermal vents, trenches, and deep-sea coral; (6) Technologies for the Future, including autonomous robotics, AI, and ocean sensing; and (7) Human Effect, including marine pollutant research and mitigation of anthropogenic impacts. EOIs are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed twice per year. Investigators may request the full berth allotment (up to 25 science party members) or be matched with other projects. SOI expects investigators to fund their own personnel, travel, shipping, and analysis costs — the vessel and its capabilities are provided free of charge. All data collected aboard must be openly shared. Eligible applicants are research teams globally, including universities, research institutes, and scientific organisations. SOI strongly encourages meaningful engagement of communities from the geographic regions where the vessel operates. Current expressions of interest are accepted for expeditions from 2029 onwards. This programme supports academic and scientific ocean research. It is not targeted at NGOs, waste management organisations, or circular economy projects.

Historical Context

Schmidt Ocean Institute has operated R/V Falkor (too) since its refit. The institute reviews EOIs twice yearly and assigns vessel time based on scientific merit and strategic alignment.

Why it was added

Major ocean research funder providing vessel access and grants for marine monitoring and exploration

Sources

• https://schmidtocean.org/apply/

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