August 16, 2023

The committee on the 2025-2035 Decadal Survey of Ocean Sciences for the National Science Foundation (NSF) has been tasked to advise the NSF's Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE) on forward-looking approaches to guide investments in research, infrastructure, and workforce development and develop a strategy to advance understanding of the ocean's role in the sustainable blue economy.

Through this virtual town hall survey, the committee is seeking input on research and infrastructure needs to advance the understanding of the ocean’s role in the broader Earth. The success of this effort depends upon broad community engagement. The committee thanks you, in advance, for your input. The survey will remain open until August 23, 2023.

The Committee welcomes comments on any topic related to its task of, but we specifically seek your input on the following topics:

Important cross-cutting scientific topics or questions (across all ocean science disciplines, i.e., biological oceanography, physical oceanography, chemical oceanography, and marine geology and geophysics) that could influence ocean research over the next decade and beyond.

1. New or existing technologies, infrastructure, or facilities that would play a pivotal role in addressing the most important scientific issues over the next decade.
   
   
2. Novel opportunities regarding ocean-related, use-inspired, solutions-oriented research and innovation for OCE to develop collaborative efforts across the NSF including with NSF's new Directorate of Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships.
   
   
3. Opportunities or strategies to promote innovative, multidisciplinary, and multi-sectoral approaches that address complex science challenges arising from the intersection of natural processes, societal needs, and human-driven environmental change. Examples include strategies for training the next generation of ocean scientists and incorporating the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, environmental justice, and access into these scientific endeavors.

Responses to the survey can be viewed here.

To learn more about this study, please visit the project webpage.

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