TOS Mentoring Award
For Excellence and/or Innovation in Mentoring the Next Generation of Ocean Scientists
Nomination Procedure
The nomination period is July 1 – October 31, 2023. The lead nominator serves as the point of contact. All nominations must be submitted through the online submission system when it opens on July 1.
When putting together the nomination package, please first review the following criteria that must be met for a nominee to be considered for selection for the Mentoring Award:
- Sustained, outstanding, and inspiring mentorship of professional colleagues, early career professionals, and/or students evidenced by impactful contributions as a role model for the next generation of oceanographers
In addition, one of the following secondary criteria must be met to be selected for the Mentoring Award:
- Outstanding leadership in promoting inclusion, diversity, and equity in ocean science
- Outstanding leadership in promoting capacity and growth of oceanography in less resourceful regions
Eligibility
Nominees
- The nominated individual must be a TOS member for more than two years. Check with the TOS Executive Director, Jenny Ramarui ([email protected]), within any questions regarding membership status.
- More than 10 years since PhD or the highest equivalent terminal degree
- Nomination is for an individual from any country
- If selected, nominees must certify their compliance with the TOS Policy on Professional Integrity, Ethics, and Conduct, and Guidelines on Implementation
Nominators
- Nominator(s) must be an active member(s) of The Oceanography Society
- Nominator(s) may be member(s) of the TOS Nominating Committee
- One co-nominator is allowed
- Nominators must certify their compliance with the TOS Policy on Professional Integrity, Ethics, and Conduct, and Guidelines on Implementation
Supporters
- Supporters need not be active members of The Oceanography Society at the time of nomination
Nomination Package
Each nomination consists of the following elements. All nomination materials are submitted via the online submission system and must include the following:
1. Citation
This text will appear in news releases and on a certificate presented to the Awardee. The text of this citation should be 200 characters or less.
2. Professional History
The nominee’s professional history should be a maximum of five pages and must include:
- Nominee’s curriculum vita, with the nominee’s name, professional mailing and email addresses, history of education, history of employment, research experiences and contributions, honors, and service to the community, with an emphasis on mentoring activities.
- Nominee’s selected bibliography that reflects, as best as possible, exemplary mentoring. Multi-authored publications are permissible, especially those in which students or postdocs appear as lead authors.
3. Nomination Letter
The nomination letter can be a maximum of three pages and must include:
- The name, title, institution, and contact information for the nominator (and one co-nominator, if applicable).
- A succinct synthesis of the nominee’s qualifications (a summary of information documented in the supporting letters is appropriate).
4. Supporting Letters
Three letters of support (in addition to the nomination letter) must be submitted. Letters signed by more than one writer are not permitted. Submission on letterhead is preferred, electronic signatures permitted. Letters must include the supporter’s name, title, institution, and contact information; a statement of relationship to the nominee; and clear justification for the qualifications of the nominee. Each letter must be a maximum of two pages in length.
Questions?
For more information, or if there are any questions, please write to [email protected].

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