Ocean
Decade
Opportunities

Since its launch, the Ocean Decade has grown into a diverse and evolving global ecosystem in ocean science, with over 725 endorsed Decade Actions. As the volume and complexity of data increases, there is a growing need to improve how information is managed, analyzed, and communicated across the Decade ecosystem to ensure greater accessibility, visibility, and strategic alignment.

This volunteer position is based in the Decade Coordination Unit. The volunteer will primarily work on cleaning Ocean Decade datasets, as the Decade Coordination Unit moves toward automating its data management.

Duty Station: UNESCO Headquarters (Paris, France) / Remote
Type of Contract and duration: Volunteer, 3 months
Application Deadline: 19 May 2025 (23h59 Paris time)
Starting Date: 16 June 2025

The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme Young Scientists Awards provide up to US$5,000 to support young researchers, especially those from developing countries, working on ecosystems, natural resources, and biodiversity.​ As part of the #OceanDecade, thanks to the support of Prince Albert I of Monaco, five MAB Young Scientists Awards focus on marine, island, and coastal ecosystems.

Applicants must:

• Be 35 years old or younger at the application closing date.​
• Submit their application using the official MAB Young Scientists Award form, available in English and French.​
• Obtain endorsement from their country’s MAB National Committee. In countries without an operational committee, the National Commission for UNESCO will oversee the selection.​
• Focus on interdisciplinary research conducted within biosphere reserves, contributing to the implementation of the Lima Action Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals.​

Applicants from developed countries are eligible only in exceptional cases or if collaborating with developing countries.​

Deadline for applications: 15 May 2025

The Ocean Decade Contribution ‘Our Shared Ocean’, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Marine Institute, is accepting applications for various mobility and travel grants, aimed towards the Small Island Developing States in the Caribbean, Pacific, Africa, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea. This includes grants for research conferences and workshops, which can support travel to the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (9-13 June, Nice, France).

There are several deadlines for each grant, and the first deadline is 28 February.

Be a youth participant on a 2025 SOI expedition! SOI expedition programs create global youth leaders through transformative, experiential opportunities, joining together diverse youth (ages 14 to 35) and educators to create rich, immersive learning environments that encourage action towards a better future for our planet.

The OceanX Young Explorers program gives students ages 18-24 the opportunity to embark on an immersive multi-day experience with workshops, hands-on activities and independent study to acquire foundational knowledge and skills in ocean science, marine operations, and digital media storytelling alongside world-class experts. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

The OceanX Early Career Explorers program selects early career professionals over 25 years old who identify as having five or fewer years professional experience to join peers and world-class faculty in an engaging multi-day experience to develop mentors and support networks, deepen their knowledge about ocean exploration, and strengthen their career’s impact for ocean advocacy through intensive projects and immersive workshops. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.