May 12-14 2026
University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography
Narragansett, RI
Motivated by the 2025 Decadal Survey recommendations, the Ocean Observatories Initiative Facility Board (OOIFB) convened a [public] roundtable to discuss how the experience gained through the development and operation of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) and other sustained observing efforts can inform the evolution of ocean observing programs that satisfy science community needs and U.S. national priorities. The overriding goal of this roundtable discussion was to articulate a vision for ocean observing needs that align with the NSF’s mission over the coming decade. In addition to other deliverables, results from this forum will produce a framework for a subsequent, larger community meeting on ocean observing.
An agenda outline for the roundtable event can be found here.
Participants of the 2026 roundtable included members of the OOIFB and the OOIFB’s Data Systems Committee (DSC), representatives from U.S. federal agencies (e.g. NOAA, NASA, ONR, etc.), and select members of the scientific community. Members of the broader ocean science and observing communities, as well as other stakeholders and members of the public were invited to listen to the event as virtual attendees (via Zoom).