2025 Master Class Capstone Experience aboard Falkor Too

COBRA is offering a unique invitation-only professional development opportunity in June 2025 for current and past COBRA Master Class Fellows, in collaboration with the Schmidt Ocean Institute. Select Fellows will have the opportunity to sail aboard SOI’s RV Falkor Too for one week as the vessel transits around the coast of Chile, to learn about the capabilities of the vessel during a “capstone” training experience. The training will be focused on helping participants to develop competitive proposals, to design functional cruise and collaboration plans centered in co-production of knowledge, to gain hands-on experience with managing cruise data flows and day-by-day cruise planning, and to learn about science communication. Participants will receive in-person mentoring with COBRA instructors, as well as a chance to interface with the highly experienced SOI Marine Technicians. Participants can expect to depart the experience ready to submit proposals and lead expeditions with SOI.

Schedule:

• November 2024 – Application period opens
• November 13, 2024 – Application period closes, evaluation begins
• November 27, 2024 – Candidates notified of selection
• ~June 16, 2025 – Capstone Master Class on-boarding in Concepcion, Chile
• ~June 26, 2025 – Capstone Master Class demobilization in Punta Arenas, Chile

• Must be a COBRA Master Class Fellow who completed the course before the date that the Master Class Capstone sails (i.e. from the class of 2022, 2023, 2024, or accepted for 2025)
• Must be able to secure necessary travel visas
• Commitment to arrive in Concepcion, Chile, by June 16, 2025 for cruise on-boarding activities and participation in the cruise June 19-26, 2025, with demobilization in Punta Arenas, Chile, on June 26, 2025. These dates may shift by a few days based on the ship’s schedule.
• Commitment to work on a proposal and/or cruise plan and fully participate in training and outreach activities

COBRA can provide travel support for both US-based and non-US-based participants, with the exception of those residing in Chile as the country of the cruise. If participants require additional visas for travel, we will fund those costs, but it is the responsibility of the participant to work with their home institution on securing the necessary visas. For those whose participation requires arranging dependent care (i.e., qualified childcare or adult dependent care expenses), up to USD $500 per person is available through application to the Schmidt Ocean Institute.

About the application form:

The application form will ask for the following mandatory information:

• Name and contact information
• Master Class year (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
• Current institution, country of institution, and career stage
• Name of supervisor, if applicable
• A 2-page PDF document with applicant’s current resumé or curriculum vitae including:
  • Education background
  • Professional affiliations
  • Awards or honors
  • Service to or participation in scientific, education, mentoring or policy activities
  • Up to 5 relevant publications or other types of professional activities
  • Note: For more information on a 2-page CV, refer to this guidance from COBRA
• Short Answer (200 words or fewer): What do you want to get out of this capstone experience? Or, what is holding you back from being ready to be a Chief Scientist that you think this opportunity will allow you to overcome?
• Short Answer (200 words or fewer): Briefly describe your proposal or cruise plan for an expedition you are currently planning, and for which this Master Class Capstone experience will provide helpful information. Be sure to explain how your cruise proposal/plan/prospectus addresses COBRA’s mission.
• Short Answer (200 words or fewer): How does your cruise plan or prospectus fit to the goals of the agency or operator you plan to propose your work to?
• Short Answer (200 words or fewer): How are you currently planning to incorporate equity, inclusivity and co-production of knowledge into the project you are developing as chief scientist?
• Short Answer (200 words or fewer): What are the three most important things that you want help on?
• Short Answer (200 words or fewer): Describe how you would want to contribute to any science communication activities during the voyage (write a blog, social media, video, ship-to-shore engagement, etc.)
• Have you previously received Basic Training in Sea Survival Techniques or Personal Survival Techniques Training (i.e. STCW code)? If yes, please upload a copy of your certificate. Note: it is not required that applicants have completed this training ahead of applying for the MC Capstone, but training may be required prior to sailing. Providing this information will help COBRA to understand how much support may be needed for required training, if any.

The application form will also ask for the following voluntary information:

1. How do you currently describe your gender identity?
2. How do you describe your race and/or ethnicity?
3. What is your country of citizenship?
4. What is your current country of residence?

Selection is determined by COBRA based on the following criteria:

• Meet the eligibility criteria listed above
• Provide compelling reasons for wanting to participate in the training
• Provide compelling justification that your proposed cruise proposal or prospectus is in alignment with COBRA’s mission
• Provide compelling understanding of how your research goals fit to those of the agency or operator you are targeting
• Provide compelling evidence of commitment to promoting equity, inclusivity, and co-production of knowledge into the work you will lead as Chief Scientist
• Provide thoughtful input on what you have identified as your biggest needs
• Provide thoughtful ideas for how you could contribute to science communications