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Expedition or Project Web Content

Expeditions or projects led or supported by NOAA Ocean Exploration are highlighted on the oceanexplorer.noaa.gov website via a summary, images and videos, and optional content such as explorer biographies and features.

The NOAA Ocean Exploration Communications Team provides planning assistance, content guidance, and technical support throughout the expedition/project, as outlined below.

Production Timeline  |   Required Content    |    Optional Content    |    Writing Guidelines

Production Timeline

Communications and Web Planning Call

Approximately four to six weeks before the start of the expedition or project, the designated NOAA Ocean Exploration point of contact will schedule a communications and website planning meeting. In addition to representatives from NOAA Ocean Exploration, at a minimum, the lead principal investigator(s) (PIs) and web coordinator (if applicable) should be present for the call, but other expedition/project participants are welcome to attend if interested.

During this meeting, the NOAA Ocean Exploration communications lead will provide an overview of the oceanexplorer.noaa.gov website and will walk through the communications and web plan drafted by the communications lead (described below) to review the production process and expectations for web coverage and other communications related to the expedition/project. Also during this meeting, specific responsibilities for web content necessary for the site will be established and the NOAA Ocean Exploration communications lead will review plans/guidelines for traditional media and social media coverage of the project.

Communications and Web Plan

Approximately three to four weeks before the start of the expedition or project, the communications and web plan initially drafted by the communications lead should be finalized. It will include roles and responsibilities, timelines for required content, the image/video credit to be used for expedition/project-related media, and other information necessary to guide NOAA Ocean Exploration web developers in production of the associated web pages. Additionally, this plan may include possible feature topics and authors to post in association with the expedition/project as well as media contacts from different participating organizations, social media accounts and hashtags to tag/follow when promoting web content, and links to other resources.

Web Content Launch

An expedition/project overview will be included on the dedicated 2026 Expedition and Project Schedule web page. All promotion before and during the expedition or project will be linked back to this summary. During the at-sea portion of the expedition or project (if applicable), NOAA Ocean Exploration will highlight the expedition or project on its homepage with an image linking to the summary and will promote the expedition on social media.

A summary and any additional content agreed upon during the communications and web planning call will be posted within approximately one month after the completion of the expedition/project. In some cases, as discussed during the planning call, additional content may be added to the website on a rolling basis while the expedition is underway.

Required Web Content

The following content is required for all expeditions and projects being covered on the website.

Signature Image

An image that can be used to promote the beginning of the expedition or project on the website and social media.

  • PI responsibility:
    • Provide a representative image with a descriptive caption/credit
  • Due approximately one to two weeks prior to the start of the expedition/project

NOAA Likeness and Profile Release

NOAA requires the completion of a Likeness and Profile Release (also available in Spanish) for the use of photographs, video, and audio of individuals in any outreach or communication products. Required only if you are planning to provide images or video of expedition/project participants (including headshots for biographies). If providing images on a rolling basis for use on social media, please have members of the expedition/project team complete this form and submit it prior to the start of the expedition or project. If images or video will only be submitted after the expedition or project has ended, the form can be submitted at that time.

Multimedia Content

Images and videos to visually tell the story of the expedition or project.

  • PI responsibilities:
    • Provide a minimum of 5-10 images or videos taken while the expedition/project is underway. Can be topside or underwater media and should highlight:
      • Major accomplishments and findings
      • Technologies or tools used in exploration
      • Day-to-day activities and people involved
    • Provide a descriptive caption and additional credit information for every image/video
  • Submitted on a rolling basis while the expedition/project is underway or all at once after the expedition/project has ended
  • Note: NOAA Ocean Exploration Communications may be available to assist with limited video editing, if requested

Expedition or Project Overview

Broad overview summarizing the expedition/project, outlining major accomplishments, findings, implications for future/current research, and/or next steps.

  • PI responsibilities:
    • Complete questions provided by NOAA Ocean Exploration Communications to outline results of expedition or project
    • Review and clear an approximately 350 to 500-word summary drafted by NOAA Ocean Exploration Communications using information provided
  • Completed approximately one month after the end of the expedition/project
  • Note: Content received about results of the expedition or project may be used by NOAA Ocean Exploration Communications to consider and request topics from PIs for evergreen or expedition-specific website content, if applicable

Optional Web Content

The following content is optional for expeditions or projects being covered on the website.

About the Team

Short biographies and headshots of expedition/project participants.

  • PI responsibilities:
    • Provide approximately 200-word biographies for members of the participating team
    • Provide headshots for members of the participating team
  • Due one to two weeks prior to the start of the expedition if content will be posted while the expedition is underway or one month after the end of the expedition/project if content will only be posted at the end

Supplemental Information

Additional information and links to provide context to the expedition or project.

  • Supplemental content will be decided upon during the communications and web planning call and may include:
    • Related links on oceanexplorer.noaa.gov (other expeditions, ocean facts, exploration tools, etc.)
    • Links to education content on the oceanexplorer.noaa.gov website
    • Related links to partner websites
    • Partner list
    • Funding information
    • Media contacts
  • PI responsibilities:
    • Review related content from oceanexplorer.noaa.gov that may be linked to in order to make sure content is current and relevant/appropriate to expedition [note: PIs may also be asked to assist in updating content that is deemed to be outdated]
    • Provide any supplemental information as decided upon during the communications and web planning call
  • Due one to two weeks prior to the start of the expedition if content will be posted while the expedition is underway or one month after the end of the expedition/project if content will only be posted at the end

Expedition or Project Features

Written pieces approximately 250-500 words in length with accompanying images/videos, developed only if content is warranted to highlight important discoveries and news associated with an expedition or provide added context or understanding for topics relevant to the expedition/project.

  • Potential pieces/topics discussed during communications and web planning call
  • PI responsibilities:
    • Work with NOAA Ocean Exploration communications lead to identify content topics and authors
    • Connect NOAA Ocean Exploration communications lead with authors
    • Review and clear written text and media
    • Send content to NOAA Ocean Exploration communications lead for posting
  • Generally written by members of expedition/project team; will carry bylines
  • Generally due no later than approximately one month after the end of the expedition for posting in conjunction with the expedition, but can be posted earlier if particularly newsworthy or evergreen
  • Post-expedition/project features that describe ongoing research activities and findings are also welcome
  • “Developing Expedition and Project Features” provides specific information/guidance on the different kinds of features and the requirements for each

Writing and Multimedia Guidelines

Prior to drafting, compiling, and submitting content for posting on the website, please review the following: