The Marine Institute announces the exciting opportunity for an Early Career Ocean Professional (ECOP), to attend the Intergenerational Dialogue Session at the 2025 All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) Forum. This prestigious event will take place in Brussels, Belgium.
Introduction
Are you an ECOP from or based in Ireland? Are you passionate about ocean diplomacy and eager to influence policy? Do you want to collaborate with fellow ECOPs and senior ocean professionals from across the Atlantic Ocean? If this sounds like you, join us for the Intergenerational Dialogue Session and 2025 All-Atlantic Forum in Brussels this September. Applications are accepted until 16 June 2025!
About the Event
Building on the success of the intergenerational dialogue at the Galway Statement 10-year anniversary and the 2024 All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance Forum held in Ottawa, this event will be part of the 2025 edition of the Forum in Brussels, including associated side events during the week of 22-26 September.
Aiming to foster intergenerational dialogue and ensure the systematic integration of ECOP perspectives and ideas into policy formulation, the session will provide a platform for ECOPs to collaborate with senior ocean professionals, engage in thematic group work focused on the thematic priorities of the All-Atlantic Declaration, and present innovative solutions to key ocean governance challenges to the representatives and policy makers of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance.
For more information, visit the Forum page: https://allatlanticocean.org/all-atlantic-forums/2025-all-atlantic-forum/
Objectives
- Facilitate Intergenerational Exchange: Engage in meaningful dialogue with leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to share insights and opportunities in addressing Atlantic Ocean conservation and research and innovation priorities.
- Promote Collaboration: Work together with ECOPs and senior ocean professionals from All-Atlantic countries to develop actionable solutions for challenges around the All-Atlantic Declaration priorities.
- Empower ECOPs as Leaders: Participate in policy discussions and receive mentorship from senior ocean professionals, showcasing your innovative ideas for sustainable ocean governance.
Thematic Priorities
- Increase our understanding of the relationship between the ocean and climate, and to develop outcome-oriented science for mitigating and adapting to its consequences.
- Monitor, protect and restore marine ecosystems and biodiversity, thereby enhancing their resilience and potential for adaptation to climate change and other natural and anthropogenic stressors.
- Tackle the impacts of marine pollution, including plastics, on marine species and ecosystems.
- Develop innovative, outcome-oriented science to support sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
- Coordinate Atlantic Ocean observing and seabed mapping efforts and improve modelling capacities.
- Promote circular, sustainable and inclusive ocean economies.
- Promote ocean literacy and broaden engagement in ocean sciences and ocean sustainability.
Benefits of Participation
- Networking: Connect with ocean professionals from across the Atlantic and beyond.
- Mentorship: Receive guidance from senior professionals and enhance your professional development.
- Impact: Contribute to the shaping of ocean-related policies and present your ideas to policymakers.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants must hold either nationality, residence, or affiliation to an institution based in Ireland.
- Career Stage: Must be an early career ocean professional (ECOP), following the UN definition: “An ECOP is a person that self-identifies as being early in their career, within 10 years or less of professional experience in any field related to the ocean. This definition includes post-secondary students and any volunteer roles, so not only employed/paid positions. The term ‘professional’ is used in order to be inclusive of professionals from various sectors of society.”
- Interest: Demonstrated interest in ocean-related research, innovation, and policy development.
- Diversity: Encouraged participation from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented groups in ocean sciences.
Application Process
To Apply:
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Complete the EOI form detailing your background, motivation, and expected contribution to the session.
- Visa statement: In your application, please clearly state your eligibility to apply for a Schengen visa (if applicable).
- Submission Deadline: 16 June 2025. Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so applying before the deadline is encouraged.
- Email your EOI and all relevant files in .pdf format to Laura McDonagh at laura.mcdonagh@marine.ie and Emma Horgan at Emma.Horgan@marine.ie with the subject line “Application for Travel Grant – Intergenerational Dialogue 2025.”
Then we need to include a couple of preliminary lines to state that subject to applications, the MI may be in a position to provide funding for travel and accommodation to selected candidates if another source of funding is not available.
Selected candidates will be notified by 30 June 2025. Upon selection, ECOPs must confirm their participation and immediately apply for a visa, if applicable.
Join a welcoming and diverse community of ocean professionals in Brussels and help drive Atlantic Ocean science and policy. We look forward to receiving your application!
Contact Information
For more information about the call for Expression of Interest, please contact:
Laura McDonagh – laura.mcdonagh@marine.ie
Emma Horgan – Emma.Horgan@marine.ie
About the Marine Institute
The Marine Institute is Ireland’s scientific agency responsible for supporting the sustainable development of the State’s maritime area and resources. The Institute conducts applied research and provides scientific knowledge, advice and services to government, industry and other stakeholders and users. www.marine.ie
