Ocean Wise 2022 Innovator Lab

The Ocean Wise Innovator Lab is elevating youth voices by providing mentorship from leading ocean experts and entrepreneurs, access to funding and educational resources that will help participants realize and share their innovative ocean health solutions.

• Table of Content
• About Ocean Wise
• Ocean Wise Innovator Lab
• Aim and Benefits of Ocean Wise Innovator Lab
• Requirements for Ocean Wise Innovator Lab Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Ocean Wise

Ocean Wise is a globally focused conservation organization on a mission to protect and restore the world’s oceans. Through research, education, direct-action conservation and field projects, we empower communities to take action for ocean health. We’re focused on tackling three major ocean challenges: overfishing, ocean pollution and climate change. Ocean Wise is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia with staff and initiatives across Canada.... continue reading

Ocean Wise Innovator Lab

Aim and Benefits of Ocean Wise Innovator Lab

At the end of this three month program, youth participants will submit their final innovations for review. We will be looking for youth to demonstrate impact (how the innovation benefits ocean health) and engagement (how the innovation is shared and / or sparks direct action). Evaluation criteria will be shared with participants during the program. A panel of experts from Ocean Wise and program mentors and ambassadors will determine the top innovations and award up to $2,500 CAD as part of the inaugural Ocean Wise Innovator Lab. The top three innovations will receive recognition of their achievement along with:

• 1st place: $2500 CAD
• 2nd place: $1000 CAD
• 3rd place: $500 CAD

Requirements for Ocean Wise Innovator Lab Qualification

The Ocean Wise Innovator Lab invites youth from around the world who meet the following criteria to apply for the three month program. You are a great fit for the program if you:

• Have an interest and / or background knowledge in ocean health, particularly in solving the issue of ocean plastics
• Are impact-oriented and interested in designing an innovation to address ocean plastics by April 30, 2022
• Are looking to gain skills in design development and entrepreneurship, as well as deepen your knowledge on what’s impacting the health of the oceans
• Were born between January 1, 1992 and January 1, 2009, and are ready to make a change to one of the world’s greatest environmental problems
• Live somewhere on planet Earth (land or water, we don’t mind)

Application Deadline

How to Apply

The Ocean Wise Innovator Lab is open to individuals or teams from youth-led organizations (e.g. student clubs, youth-led community groups, classrooms, startups, etc.). Youth can apply as a solo participant or as part of a working group of up to four.

To apply you’ll need to share:

• Your email address, location and birthdate
• A brief bio or description of yourself / your team, including relevant background and experience
• Why you want to participate
• The discipline your innovation will most likely fit with (e.g. communications, engineering, computer science, hospitality, social sciences, etc.)
• Your social media handles (optional)

For more details, visit Ocean Wise website.