The UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-IOC), in partnership with Portugal and the EurOcean Foundation, has announced the second edition of the Mário Ruivo Memorial Lecture Series. This initiative invites Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) to showcase their groundbreaking projects that contribute to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, with a particular focus on Sustainable Development Goal 14, ‘Life below water’.

The series pays homage to Professor Mário Ruivo, former Executive Secretary of UNESCO-IOC and a pivotal figure in ocean science and sustainable development. Endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, this call aims to recognize and stimulate ECOPs who are making substantial contributions to the Ocean Decade’s vision of “The Science We Need For The Ocean We Want”.

The selected ECOP will have the honor of delivering a lecture on their winning project during the IOC Assembly in June 2025, continuing Professor Ruivo’s legacy of inspiring future generations of ocean scientists and advocates.

Eligibility for this remarkable opportunity extends to ECOPs born in 1984 or later, who are leading projects as Principal Investigators (PI) or co-PIs. The deadline for submissions is February 2, 2025.

Find more information on how to apply here.