Our deadline to submit proposals for Ocean Challenge 2023 is just 3 weeks away. Apply now! Don't let the January 31 deadline sail away.

Ocean Challenge 2023 invites interested applicants around the world to propose creative marine-science-based solutions to address pressing ocean conservation issues. Launched in 2019, Ocean Challenge is an annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) competition that raises awareness of complex marine conservation issues and creates an opportunity for young people to get involved in the global effort to protect our oceans. Ocean Challenge is co-hosted by Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) and the American Institute in Taiwan Kaohsiung Branch Office (AIT/K) as part of Taiwan’s larger effort to support the United Nations “Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development” program.

Eligibility
The program includes four categories as follows:
A. Teen Category: Applicants aged 12–18, currently enrolled in secondary schools in Taiwan.
B. Youth Category: Applicants aged 18 and above, currently enrolled in college or graduate programs in Taiwan.
C. Professional Category: Applicants aged 18 and above, currently not enrolled in degree or certificate programs in Taiwan.
D. International Category: Applicants aged 12 and above, based outside of Taiwan.

Awards

1. First Place Award: NT$50,000 and an award certificate.
2. Second Place Award: NT$20,000 and an award certificate.
3. Third Place Award: NT$10,000 and an award certificate.
4. Fourth Place and Fifth Place Award: an award certificate.
5. Best Proposal Award: The first place team will receive a grant, provided on a reimbursement basis, of no more than NT$100,000 to carry out their proposal. All of the outputs and receipts should be submitted to the designated unit before November 30th , 2023.

Important Dates

Application Deadline    Janauary 31, 2023
Finalists Announced    March 30, 2023
Finalists’ Workshop    Late April, 2023
Finalists’ presentations/Winners Announced    June 1–2, 2023

Please refer to the attached handbook for more information.
Applications are due by 11:59 pm CST (UTC+8) Tuesday, January 31, 2023. 
Please email your proposal and application form to youthocean@oac.gov.tw