International research company Ocean Exchange is hosting a competition that gives students a chance to win prize money and scholarships. The competition will be held on Oct. 24. through 26. in Fort Lauderdale. The competition will award prizes and scholarships to those who present ideas that will further advance the understanding of the ocean.
NSU’s Director of academic support and administration Melissa Dore is familiar with Ocean Exchange’s competition. Dore’s biggest advice is geared towards the concept of presenting rather than the idea itself.
“You can have great ideas, but if you don’t have the ability to translate it for the general public to understand, then it will never get anywhere. You have to show how it helps humanity as a whole,” said Dore
The following is a list of the three awards students have the chance to win via participating in competition.
The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation Award
Guy Harvey’s Ocean Foundation is offering a $10,000 grant for a solution that improves the ocean. In summation, the solution must, “advance our understanding of the ocean” and must result in healthier marine life and bodies of water.
Established in 2010, the scholarship is possible through an alliance with the Florida Sea Grant. It recognizes students at universities in Florida who research a myriad of things in Florida’s marine environment. Since 2010, 66 Florida students have received the scholarship, resulting in a total around $300,000.
Broward College’s Innovation Award
The Innovation Award is looking to give away $10,000 for a solution that helps the ocean become a healthier place. Any solution that advances the understanding of the ocean and improves its health will qualify for the Innovation Award.
Now in its fifth year, BC’s Innovation Award has given over $50,000 to winners. Unlike Guy Harvey’s award, students do not have to attend a Florida university to compete. Even if someone does not win, Ocean Exchange has a wide array of connections that can help all participants improve their network.
The Ocean Exchange Collegiate Award
Ocean Exchange’s Collegiate Award is seeking a solution that, “advances the decarbonization of the maritime shipping industry, either while underway or while in port.” The solution must be able to be used anywhere in the world and it can refer to any shipping industry, whether that is cruises, carriers or yachts.
The $25,000 award is the largest being offered at the Ocean Exchange competition. The award differs from the other two by having the task of decarbonization, rather than advancing the understanding of the ocean.
Requirements
Students must be invited to register and must be an active student, either graduate or undergraduate. The solution must be from the student, no other sources and the pitch must be done in person.
There will be eight finalists invited to Fort Lauderdale to present their solutions on Oct. 24. and 25. They will present their ideas in front of 150 delegates, consisting of businesses, members of government and academia. The delegates then vote on who should receive each prize and the winners will be announced shortly after.
Those interested can register here.
