Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

NOAA Ocean Exploration Advisory Board

Menu

2024 Office of Ocean Exploration and Research Independent Program Review

Program Review:
October 9-10, 2024, Silver Spring, MD

NOAA conducts comprehensive reviews of its programs every five years to evaluate the quality, relevance, and performance of their research and development activities. The current review focuses on NOAA Ocean Exploration’s achievements over the past five years in three key areas: building a coordinated national program of ocean exploration, promoting technological innovation, and engaging the public in ocean science.
 

As the leading U.S. program dedicated to deep-sea exploration, NOAA Ocean Exploration plays a critical role in advancing our understanding of the ocean’s influence on climate, biodiversity, and the economy. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and partnerships, the program ensures that its discoveries are accessible and impactful for diverse stakeholders. Through collaborations with government, academia, and industry, as well as outreach to the public, NOAA Ocean Exploration inspires a broad audience and supports the nation’s ocean exploration goals.

This review will assess NOAA Ocean Exploration’s progress and help shape the program’s future as it continues to lead in expanding exploration capacity, driving technological innovation, and fostering a diverse, inclusive ocean exploration community.

The Review

FY2020 OER Program Review

Focus Area 1

Focus Area 1 evaluates NOAA Ocean Exploration’s efforts to coordinate a national ocean exploration program by integrating activities across federal agencies, academia, industry, and other stakeholders. The review assesses how well NOAA aligns exploration efforts with national strategic goals, establishes shared standards and best practices, and ensures high-quality, accessible data management. It also examines NOAA’s success in engaging stakeholders and advancing collaboration to strengthen the overall impact of national ocean exploration initiatives.
 
Thematic Area: Federal Leadership
Thematic Area: Internal Leadership

Thematic Area: External Leadership

Focus Area 2

Focus Area 2 evaluates NOAA Ocean Exploration’s role in advancing technological innovation by developing, testing, and deploying new tools and systems for ocean exploration. The review will assess how effectively the program has identified and integrated emerging technologies that address current and future exploration needs, particularly in enhancing operational efficiency and research outcomes. It will also consider NOAA’s success in supporting high-risk, high-reward innovations and how these advancements have revolutionized data collection, improved real-time analysis, and strengthened the program’s overall operational capabilities.

Focus Area 3

Focus Area 3 assesses NOAA Ocean Exploration’s efforts to engage the public and enhance education through strategic outreach, partnerships, and programs. This review will consider how effectively NOAA promotes ocean science awareness while advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) goals. Particular attention will be given to initiatives supporting underrepresented groups, including early career opportunities, internships, and educational grants. Additionally, the review will evaluate NOAA’s success in using innovative storytelling, accessible content, and targeted outreach to inspire public interest and measure the impact of these efforts on fostering broader support for ocean exploration and stewardship.