The Ocean Frontier Institute
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
| Abbreviation | OFI |
|---|---|
| Formation | September 1, 2016 |
| Founders | Dalhousie University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and University of Prince Edward Island |
| Type | A non-profit research and higher education organization dedicated to ocean-based research and data. |
| Purpose | Oceanography, Traditional knowledge, Oceanic climate, Climate change. |
| Headquarters | Halifax  Canada |
| Location |
|
Region served | North Atlantic, Worldwide |
Official language | English |
Chief Executive Officer | Dr. Anya Waite |
| Staff | 50-100 |
| Website | www |
The Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI) is a non-profit research and higher education organization dedicated to ocean-based research and data. Established in 2016, the institute focuses its research on achieving net zero, protecting ocean biodiversity and sustaining ocean bioresources.[1] OFI is based at Dalhousie University in the Ocean Sciences Building in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.[2][3]
OFI was established in 2016 by Dalhousie University with partnerships in Memorial University of Newfoundland, and University of Prince Edward Island.
The Institution also partners with international ocean research institutes, other Canadian universities, governments, Indigenous communities, and industry ranging from local small businesses to international corporations.[4]
In announcing the creation of OFI, Dalhousie University noted that it was set to become “one of the world’s most significant international ocean science collaborations.”[5]
The initial funding for the organization included a $93.7 million commitment from the Canadian government through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF). At the time of the announcement, it was the largest research grant in the history of Dalhousie University.
An additional $125 million in cash and in kind contributions was also provided by provincial governments and partners, most notably a $25 million gift from business leader and philanthropist John Risley.
The Institute administers the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, The Safe and Sustainable Development of the Ocean Frontier;[6] Ocean School;[7] and the North Atlantic Carbon Observatory (NACO); and hosts the Canadian project office of the Integrated Marine Biosphere Research (IMBeR) program.
OFI's first CEO was Wendy Watson-Wright,[8] who served in the role until December 2019. During this period, OFI saw more than sixteen ocean focused research projects reviewed by internal and external experts which included scientific analysis of the changing ocean ecosystems as well as studies to strengthen marine safety, ocean data and technology and the fishing and aquaculture industries. A further six large-scale research projects were launched in 2020 focused on the North Atlantic Ocean Climate and Coastal Communities and the Ocean.
In March 2018 OFI launched its first round of Seed Funding in partnership with Canada's Ocean Supercluster[9] and Innovacorp, providing financial support to ideas with the potential for advancing research, commercial or social concepts relating to the ocean.[10] The Seed Fund has supported over 100 ocean related research projects ranging from studies on Non-Toxic Marine Anti-fouling Paint, to 4D Ocean Sensing Strategy, to collaboration efforts on the blending of Indigenous and Western knowledge.
In 2018 OFI and Dalhousie University also invested over 2 million dollars for the creation of DeepSense,[11] a partnership between industry, academia and government focused on using ocean related data and artificial intelligence to better support commercial enterprises.
In January 2020, the CEO position was taken up by Dr. Anya Waite who had previously served as the organizations Scientific Director.
Throughout 2021 and 2022, OFI dramatically expanded its engagement with public and research groups with a series of webinars to inform ocean and coastal governance and introduce social sciences and humanities-led research[12] and with the introduction of an annual Carbon Workshop to discuss the ocean's changing ability to absorb carbon, in particular the importance of ‘Deep Blue Carbon.’[13]
Training and Education
The Ocean Graduate Excellence Network (OGEN)[14] was launched by OFI in 2021, with current funding partners including the National Research Council of Canada, Mitacs, Graphite Innovation Technologies, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The program provides individualized training and research opportunities to graduate students.
OFI's International Postdoctoral Fellowships offer opportunities for early-career PhDs to conduct collaborative research at Dalhousie University, with travel to one of OFI's partner institutions in Europe or the United States.[15] OFI has supported fellowships with international partners such as WHOI, GEOMAR, AWI, and ISBlue.[16]
OFI's Visiting Fellowships program[17] helps to develop ocean leaders by providing opportunities for early-career PhDs to conduct research at one of OFI's Canadian institutions or at one of OFI's eight international academic partner institutions.
In spring of 2022 OFI sponsored undergraduate students from Dalhousie University in Halifax and Memorial University of Newfoundland on a 16-week expedition aboard the research sailing vessel Statsraad Lehmkuhl. The students participated as crew members as they sailed the Pacific Ocean, following an ocean sustainability course offered through Norway's University of Bergen.