The next Ocean for Life field study will take place in Santa Barbara, California and on Santa Cruz Island hosted by Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary from June 22-July 4, 2013. Applications for the 2013 field study have closed. The next proposed Ocean for Life field study will take place in summer 2015.

Calendar for 2013 Student Selection
Pre-applications available online: December 5, 2012
Pre-applications due: January 18, 2013
Top tier students notified to submit full application: February 27, 2013
Full application due: March 20, 2013
Final student selection: April 4, 2013
Field Study: June 22-July 4, 2013

*Students from Middle Eastern countries will be selected through a similar process administered by The GLOBE Program available to countries in the Near East North Africa region.

*Full funding to support the Ocean for Life program is still pending.

Adult Reference Guide (508 KB)
Signature Form (250 KB)

Eligibility Requirements
To apply, each student must:

• be an incoming 9th - 12th grade high school student in the 2013-2014 school year (aged 14-18). Note that seniors in the 2012-2013 school year do not qualify;
• be proficient in the English language;
• be able to swim; and
• be willing to participate in future program aspects.

Participant Benefits
Students will:

• participate in an immersive field study in one of America's national marine sanctuaries;
• learn about the interconnectedness of the world's ocean and how their local actions impact the ocean no matter where they live;
• build relationships with peers from different countries and cultures, and gain a better understanding of their similarities and differences;
• be immersed in classroom, lab, and field activities that raise awareness of the natural world and their connection to it, and how it connects them to each other;
• gain a better understanding of the scientific process and a deeper understanding of marine sciences; and
• work with mentors to learn how to use still and video cameras to document their field experience and develop "youth media projects" to share with schools and local communities.

Covered by the Ocean for Life Program
The program is free of charge to students selected through the competitive application process, which includes:

• round-trip travel expenses;
• dorm-style accommodations* and meals during the field study; and
• educational resources and materials from NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, The GLOBE Program, and National Geographic Society.
• available support for continuing education and post-field study endeavors.

Requirements of Participation
Students will be required to:

• attend all classroom, lab, and field sessions during the summer field study;
• participate in on-site and future assessments (e.g., surveys) of the Ocean for Life program;
• be mentors for future Ocean for Life participants;
• work with their teachers and schools to ensure implementation of their Ocean for Life Action Plan after the summer field study is complete;
• conduct at least two presentations related to key aspects of Ocean for Life to any of the following audiences after the summer field study is complete: classmates/school, community, or conference in their home country;
• submit an article to local newspaper and/or television station about the program and their personal experience; and
• respond to requests for information (e.g., summaries of recent activities related to program) from Ocean for Life coordinators in a timely manner.

If you have any additional questions, please contact:

Claire Fackler, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
Phone: (805) 963-3238 ext. 18
Fax: (805) 963-2438
Email: claire.fackler@noaa.gov