Building capacity for all.
The Ocean Census Taxonomy and Event Awards 2024 recognize and support outstanding researchers who are advancing marine taxonomy and accelerating the discovery of new species.
Meet the 2024 award winners who are pushing the boundaries of marine science and helping to protect our oceans’ biodiversity.
The Ocean Census Taxonomy Awards are set up to provide financial support to taxonomists, biodiversity and citizen scientists involved in marine species discovery to accelerate the pace of discovery.
A total of $60,000 has been contributed by The Nippon Foundation and administered by the Ocean Census.
The objective of the taxonomy awards is to support work on marine species discovery and help to build capacity in this important area of science.
Taxonomy awards are available from $2,000 to $10,000 to cover areas ranging from travel expenses to projects involving education, training courses or citizen science activities.
(Please use a Google Account to access the sign-up form)
1st July 2024
31st July 2024
September 2024
Typical activities supported include gaining access to type material and collections and working with other taxonomists to progress work, exchange knowledge and develop capacity.
The purchase of scientific equipment or expertise (for instance buying time on analytical equipment such as SEM), and specimen preparation, including the cost of temporary technical assistance are also eligible expenses.
These Awards are to support work on marine species discovery and preference is given to the number of new species that will be discovered. Preference is given to studies that use existing specimens and collections and employ both morphological and genetic approaches where appropriate for the taxa in question.
Publication costs may be considered but zero cost publications on species discoveries and descriptions are available:
Who is eligible?
The Awards can be applied for by any taxonomists/scientists in the Ocean Census Science Network, who is over the age of 18, including citizen scientists. Applications of all nationalities are welcome but please note we can only review applications written in English. Awards will not be awarded for microbiology or species discovery/description of microbes but meiofauna, macrofauna, megafauna and macroalgae are included.
What is not eligible?
The fund does not provide support for:
This is our first year of providing Awards and it is a pilot for us. We are testing how the process works and will be evaluating the outcomes and how successful it has been. We anticipate that we will likely expand our Awards programme in the future.
Economy travel, accommodation and meals for up to a few weeks while conducting research at museum(s), reasonable services purchased from the host institution and research supplies.
Publication costs may be considered but zero cost publications on species discoveries and descriptions are available.
We are able to support projects involving education, training courses or citizen science, if they include a focus on taxonomy and systematics.
All applications received by the deadline will be reviewed as soon as possible after it has passed.
Applications may be accepted after the deadline, but once the annual allocation of funding has been awarded, any subsequent applications will be considered for the following financial year.
Awards will be announced in September 2024. Recipients will be informed before the announcement.
Each awardee is required to submit a written report summarising the scientific accomplishments that they have achieved with the award within one month of completion and no later than 15 February 2025 (whichever comes first).
All species discoveries and descriptions must acknowledge The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census programme and will be registered as part of the global Ocean Census species discoveries headcount.
Please note: Applicants should read FAQs before submitting an application.
(Please use a Google Account to access the sign-up form)
Please take a look at our Further Information document.
If you have any further questions, please email: science@oceancensus.org
Globally, thousands of taxonomists, biologists, data scientists, technicians and curators are working in a diverse number of roles to uncover the secrets of ocean life.
In order to accelerate the pace of discovery significantly, we’re building the Ocean Census Science Network, a global community passionate about driving forward our mission, helping to coordinate opportunities, resources and collaborate.
Individuals and institutes are welcome to join us today. Submit your details and tell us about any projects you are currently working on.
Small awards to members of the Ocean Census Science Network to attend, represent and promote the Ocean Census at science events.
Events can be held at a regional, national and international level.
Attending offers the opportunity to engage in various activities, including:
In addition, Awardees would be asked (where appropriate) to give more broad presentations about the Ocean Census (using templates/scripts provided) and present their contributions to the organizational mission.
The Ocean Census have a total of $5,000 split across awards from $500 to $1000 to support travel, logistics, accommodation, subsistence, printing (materials).
(Please use a Google Account to access the sign-up form)
Application Process:
Open and available throughout the year until fund is spent.
Reporting requirements for Awardee:
A written summary report (template provided), high resolution images (and video if possible), and acknowledgements to The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census.
Communications requirements:
Participants and Awardees are required to promote award / involvement on their own professional networks (supported with content and copy by the Communications Department). Awardees can be provided with content and assets as needed to seize opportunities to present the Ocean Census.
Deadline:
Open and available throughout the year until fund is spent.
Who is eligible?
The Awards could be applied for by any member of the Ocean Census Science Network, including citizen scientists. Applications of all nationalities welcome (submissions only in English).
This is our first year of providing Awards and it is a pilot for us. We are testing how the process works and will be evaluating the outcomes and how successful it has been. We anticipate that we will likely expand our Awards programme in the future.
If you have any further questions, please get in touch via science@oceancensus.org
Globally, thousands of taxonomists, biologists, data scientists, technicians and curators are working in a diverse number of roles to uncover the secrets of ocean life.
In order to accelerate the pace of discovery significantly, we’re building the Ocean Census Science Network, a global community passionate about driving forward our mission, helping to coordinate opportunities, resources and collaborate.
Individuals and institutes are welcome to join us today. Submit your details and tell us about any projects you are currently working on.
