Roy Hyndman Ocean Observing Award for Graduate Students: 2025-26 Call for Applications 

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ONC’s residency programs provide opportunities to explore and experiment, conduct research, connect with others and foster interdisciplinary initiatives.  We host visiting scientists working on observatory-related research, and provide travel support to students and early career scientists  who wish to present results and attend major meetings.

**ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025-26 ROY HYNDMAN AWARD** 
**Deadline is January 20, 2025.** 
[Download the call for applications here (PDF)](https://cdn.onc-prod.intergalactic.space/RHA_Award_for_Graduate_Students_2025_26_1190803a0a.pdf)

Up to two students will be selected for the Roy Hyndman Observing Award. These $20,000 awards are given to support graduate students in advancing their research using data from Ocean Networks Canada.

Applicants must:
- be enrolled in a Canadian university
- be pursuing full-time graduate studies in a field that aligns with one or more of ONC’s 3 strategic objectives: advance ocean observing, develop and deliver world-leading data and ocean intelligence products and services, and enable ocean-based solutions for climate change mitigation and coastal resilience;
- agree to use the awarded funds for advancing your graduate research; and
- be in good academic standing.

![Roy Hyndman.png](https://cdn.onc-prod.intergalactic.space/Roy_Hyndman_1fff81ff66.png)
This award is named for the late Dr. Roy Hyndman, one of the leading proponents of the NEPTUNE Observatory, who served as the Chair of the Ocean Observatory Council for more than six years and advocated for the support of students in their use of ONC data and infrastructure. 

Ocean Networks Canada does not require the work be performed at ONC, but expects at least one visit of the student for initial coordination of the project. A final presentation of the results at the end of the year is also expected, but won’t require a physical presence.

# **APPLICATION PROCESS**

To apply for the award, students must submit a CV, a 2-page research project proposal, and a letter of support from their graduate supervisor including their commitment to the student’s project using this [form](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ROYHYNDMAN2526).  

The proposal should include the items below:  
- project title;
- goal of or scientific questions to be addressed in the project together with the work elements that will be completed by the end of the graduate studies;
- a description of how the project aligns with [ONC’s Strategic Plan](https://issuu.com/oceannetworks/docs/strategicplan_2021_issuu);
- a description of the ONC data and or other ONC assets that will be used in the project; 
- a description on how the funds will be disbursed (see the funds administration note below); and 
- the anticipated outcomes (e.g. data product, thesis chapter, paper, new software tool).

Applications are encouraged from the broadest range of disciplines, spanning the engineering, natural and social sciences, as well as the humanities.

**Applications are open until January 20, 2025.**

## **SELECTION PROCESS AND FUND ADMINISTRATION**

Applications will be reviewed and gauged against the criteria listed below by a diverse panel comprising at least one expert in the field of the proposed research and a member of the ONC Ocean Observatory Council.

The selection panel will gauge:
- the compliance to the award competition requirements listed above;
- whether the proposed use of ONC data and assets is meaningful and possible at this stage, and can be considered achievable within the time limits of the one-year award;
- the quality of the science and the potential for impactful outcomes.

The panel will also abide by [ONC’s equity, diversity and inclusion practices](https://www.oceannetworks.ca/about-onc/equity-diversity-and-inclusion).

The selection panel will produce a list of recommendations that will be presented to the ONC Executive for final decision in February 2025. Applicants will be informed of the results in March 2025.

Awarded funds will be made available to the Canadian University faculty member supervising the student who will report on the funds’ use at the end of the one year period. At least 50% of the award must supplement any guaranteed minimum stipend the student already gets from their program of study. In addition, up to 25% of the funds can be used to fund the student travel to ONC and to attend relevant conference(s). Up to 20% of the funds can be used for equipment, as necessary. The institution agrees to not withhold overheads and is expected to perform the tax reporting for the student as appropriate.

**APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN**

Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) invites researchers from the global community to apply for residencies of one to 12 months at our Queenswood and Marine Technology Centre locations in Victoria, British Columbia. The Researcher-in-Residence Program aims to foster closer connections between ONC and the research community, and interdisciplinary initiatives.
 
Applications are welcome at any time from individuals in any discipline, including the social sciences, to address basic and applied research questions. Selections will be based on research excellence, interdisciplinarity, and relevance of proposed research to ONC research priorities, as outlined in the [ONC 2030 Strategic Plan](https://www.oceannetworks.ca/about-onc/strategic-plan). Submissions will be reviewed by ONC [science staff](https://www.oceannetworks.ca/science/science-team) and members of ONC’s [Ocean Observatory Council](https://www.oceannetworks.ca/about-onc/boards-and-council/ocean-observatory-council), their recommendations will be submitted to the ONC Executive for final approval.

### **SELECTION CRITERIA**
**Research Excellence**
- Recognized standing and contribution of the applicant in their field of research, as assessed by scholarly contributions and major recognitions.
- Demonstrated capacity to shape the direction of research.

**Interdisciplinary Perspective**
- Importance of the applicant’s work beyond domain-specific impact, as judged by the breadth of their scholarship across multiple disciplines.
- Track record of engagement across disciplines and sectors beyond academia.

**Quality and Relevance of Proposed Research**
- Quality of proposed research and other activities while in residence at ONC.
- Alignment with ONC research priorities and use of ONC infrastructure and/or data.

### **TERMS**
Residencies are full-time for a minimum of one month and a maximum of 12 months. ONC will provide an equipped workstation as a primary work space and staff support in areas such as data access and processing. There will be an opportunity to interact and work with faculty at the University of Victoria. A fixed monthly allowance of CAD $2,500 to cover lodging and living expenses in the Victoria area is provided to successful applicants, but is not available to residents of Southern Vancouver Island. Reimbursements for travel to and from ONC will not be covered. We anticipate that the successful applicants will receive a letter of invitation within three months of the reception of their application. The residency may be affected by possible future pandemic restrictions. 

### **APPLICATION**
[Apply here (Survey Monkey)](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XYDLMVS) with the following:
- Your proposed dates (minimum of one month, maximum of twelve).
- A Curriculum vitae (maximum five pages).
- A statement of interest and a description of proposed research activities. Clarification of how they align with the interdisciplinary perspective and research excellence selection criteria outlined above is expected
- A description of how you propose to engage with ONC staff and the broader ONC research community.
- A proposed title/subject area for a guest lecture and/or other public event.
- A confirmation of your institution’s support for the residency.

For inquiries, please email to **ue-officer@oceannetworks.ca**.

ONC supports student and postdoc presentations at national and international symposia related to research using ONC data. Depending on demand, awards of up to $1000 are available. Funds are routinely allocated for several major conferences including CMOS, Fall AGU, and Ocean Sciences Meeting, although all major symposia are eligible. Students planning to present a paper where ONC contributed directly to research outcomes are encouraged to apply for consideration of an award. 

Students should apply by submitting a one-page proposal to **ue-officer@oceannetworks.ca**. Please include conference details, a presentation abstract, and a summary of the ONC data contributing to the research. There is no deadline for award applications, but proposals must be received prior to the event.

Ocean Networks Canada continually seeks input from the research community to leverage and formulate new and bold ocean observing programs to address important science and societal issues. We are also keen to grow and add new groups to our research community. We encourage researchers and groups to prepare and submit an Expression of Interest for observatory science to the ONC Science Team. These ideas and interests guide how we build our science program, and how to optimally allocate observatory resources to achieve maximal societal impact. Interested groups should review our [Strategic Plan](https://www.oceannetworks.ca/about-onc/strategic-plan/) to align their research interests with our long-term goals. We may occasionally draw from our pool of Expressions of Interest to prepare more formal proposals to fulfill the science objectives of our user community.

**Who Should Respond?** 
Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are invited from all individuals or groups of researchers who wish to enhance existing data services, continue observatory research programs, or undertake new time-series studies and duration limited experiments using ONC’s ocean observing infrastructure or cyber-infrastructure.

**To Submit an Expression of Interest** 
[Fill out this fillable form.](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ONCExpressionsOfInterest)

**To Learn More** 
Background materials and resources, including contact links, are available on the [ONC Science Strategy Planning Wiki](https://wiki.oceannetworks.ca/display/SP/ONC+Science+Strategy+Planning).

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