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Program Reviews

The 2000 Report of the President’s Panel for Ocean Exploration, “Discovering Earth’s Final Frontier: A U.S. Strategy for Ocean Exploration,” outlined a vision and a strategy for establishing a national program focused on exploring the world’s unknown ocean. In response to this report, NOAA established the first federal program deliberately focused on ocean exploration.

In 2009, recognizing the success and value of ocean exploration, Congress established a national ocean exploration program in Public Law 111-11, Title XII (Oceans), Subtitle A (Ocean Exploration), Part I (Exploration). This law called upon the NOAA to continue to develop and engage in partnerships with other government agencies, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and private industry to establish a dedicated national ocean exploration program to catalyze future research and better inform ocean resource management decisions.

The program was first reviewed in 2012. Today, NOAA Ocean Exploration undergoes a periodic comprehensive review as required by NOAA Research. These reviews evaluate the quality, relevance, and performance of activities conducted and funded by the program and support planning of future activities. They are intended to ensure that NOAA Ocean Exploration’s work remains relevant to the NOAA research mission and its priorities and is consistent with NOAA planning, programming, and budgeting processes.

Program review outputs and background materials are available below.

Foundational Documents

 

2024 Program Review

October 9-10, 2024, Silver Spring, Maryland

The 2024 NOAA Ocean Exploration program review was conducted by NOAA’s Ocean Exploration Advisory Board.

Outputs

Materials

Focus Area 1

Focus Area 1 evaluated 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 assessed 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 examined NOAA’s success in engaging stakeholders and advancing collaboration to strengthen the overall impact of national ocean exploration initiatives.

Focus Area 1 overview: video, document (pdf, 1.04 MB) 

Thematic Area: Federal Leadership
Thematic Area: Internal Leadership
Thematic Area: External Leadership

Focus Area 2

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

Focus Area 3

Focus Area 3 assessed NOAA Ocean Exploration’s efforts to engage the public and enhance education through strategic outreach, partnerships, and programs. This review considered how effectively NOAA promotes ocean science awareness. Particular attention was given to initiatives supporting underrepresented groups, including early career opportunities, internships, and educational grants. Additionally, the review evaluated 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.

 

2019 Program Review

October 16-18, 2019, University of Rhode Island

The 2019 NOAA Ocean Exploration program review was conducted by a panel that included members of the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board and subject matter experts from not-for-profit organizations, academic institutions, the private sector, and other federal agencies.

Outputs

Materials

Presentations

Background Information

 

Annual Reports
Strategic Plans
Executive Orders and Policy
National Ocean Exploration Forum Reports and Community Advice
Other

 

2012 Program Review

May 7-8, 2012, Silver Spring, Maryland

The 2012 review of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research was conducted by the NOAA Science Advisory Board. This was the first formal, independent review of the program.

Outputs

Materials

Presentations

Supporting Documents

Strategic Plans