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
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.
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.
An expedition/project overview will be included on the dedicated 2025 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 on the Featured Expeditions and Projects map 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.
The following content is required for all expeditions and projects being covered on the website.
An image that can be used to promote the beginning of the expedition or project on the website and social media.
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 two weeks 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.
Images and videos to visually tell the story of the expedition or project.
Broad overview summarizing the expedition/project, outlining major accomplishments, findings, implications for future/current research, and/or next steps.
The following content is optional for expeditions or projects being covered on the website.
Short biographies and headshots of expedition/project participants.
Additional information and links to provide context to the expedition or project.
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.
Prior to drafting, compiling, and submitting content for posting on the website, please review the following: