Program | Waitt Institute for Discovery

CATALYST

Changing the nature of deep-sea ocean exploration

The Waitt Institute’s CATALYST team simultaneously downloads new data of the ocean floor from Mary Ann, while getting ready to turn her around for another deep sea mission. / Photograph by Brian Cousin / / © Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute

The CATALYST Program
The Waitt Institute for Discovery’s CATALYST Program is a series of deep-sea expeditions that will significantly transform undersea exploration and the future of our oceans. The program makes available for the first time a versatile and highly portable deep-sea tool kit and operations team that is rapidly deployable all over the world.

The CATALYST Program was initiated and established in 2006 by the Waitt Institute for Discovery and its founder and president, Ted Waitt. The Waitt Institute manages all aspects of the CATALYST Program, including establishing partnerships, prioritizing future projects, directing expedition implementation, and serving as expedition leader.

CATALYST Mission
As a major initiative of the Waitt Institute for Discovery, the CATALYST program aims to accelerate the science community’s capacity to carry out deep-sea exploration, cutting-edge scientific research and sustainable ocean policy through innovative technologies and inspired collaborations.

The CATALYST team loads an AUV into the VAN after a successful sortie / Photograph by Mike Dessner

CATALYST Technology
The CATALYST Program makes available to the scientific community the Waitt Institute’s two REMUS 6000 Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). The CATALYST AUVs have been designed to operate in depths ranging from 25 meters (82ft) to 6000 meters (19,685 ft or 3.73 miles). This innovative and efficient new technology can be used for numerous exploration and mapping purposes, including marine conservation, ocean health studies, geological charting, and archaeological investigation.

The CATALYST AUVs can be configured to include a wide array of sensors depending upon expedition requirements. They can be used for hydrographic surveys, environmental monitoring, debris and field mapping, search and salvage operations, fishery operations, scientific sampling and mapping. As versatile research tools, the CATALYST AUVs can be outfitted with dual frequency side-scan sonar, sub-bottom profilers, conductivity/temperature sensors, pressure sensors, acoustic modems, fluorometers, optical sensors, still cameras, and acoustic imaging.

The R/V Seward Johnson underway / © Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute

CATALYST Partners
The CATALYST Program gathers world-renown scientific organizations to create synergistic collaborations, maximize scientific expertise, and merge institutional resources. The program represents a major milestone in the effort to integrate public and private forces in exploring and understanding our oceans.

The CATALYST Program marks an unprecedented collaboration between the Waitt Institute for Discovery and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The Waitt Institute for Discovery commissioned the construction of two REMUS 6000 AUVs and initiated the CATALYST Program. The Waitt Institute directs the implementation of the CATALYST Program, seeking out and assembling meaningful partnerships and projects in ocean exploration. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution developed and engineered the original REMUS autonomous underwater vehicles and has built an AUV operations team based at WHOI that possesses the expertise to conduct REMUS 6000 expeditions anywhere in the world.

For initial expeditions, the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute brings its ocean exploration expertise and resources to the CATALYST Program in the form of expedition logistics and science plan development, as well as through the utilization of Harbor Branch’s research vessel R/V Seward Johnson as the first CATALYST AUV launch vessel.

In additional to current partners, a diverse assortment of organizations will contribute additional resources, funding and expertise to future CATALYST expeditions, including university, private, non-profit, and governmental institutions.

The WHOI CATALYST Team: Front, left to right: Tim Kling, Mike Purcell, Robin Littlefield, Brennan Phillips, Mark Dennett. Back, left to right: Jim Brown, Jamie Haley, Jeff Hood, Geoff Ekblaw, Doug Handy, Steve Murphy, Greg Packard, Tony Delane

CATALYST Founder
The CATALYST Program was initiated and established by the Waitt Institute for Discovery and its founder and president, Ted Waitt. The Waitt Institute’s commitment to the CATALYST Program began with the commissioning of the REMUS 6000 AUVs and the 2009 charter of theR/V Seward Johnson for the first CATALYST expeditions. The Waitt Institute continues to be involved in all aspects of the CATALYST Program, including establishing partnerships, prioritizing future projects, directing their implementation, and serving as expedition leader.

NGS/Waitt Grants

National Geographic Society/Waitt Grants Program

Photograph by Tim Laman

The National Geographic Society/Waitt Grants Program funds projects that require venture capital, supporting exceptional projects while foregoing a time-consuming peer-review process. NGS/Waitt grants are able to fund “proof of concept” research for applicants at an earlier stage in their careers than other NGS grant programs. Special emphasis is placed on expedited grant processing and turnaround. The selection committee endeavors to have funding decisions made within eight weeks of application submission. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Funding is not restricted to United States citizens. Applicants planning work in foreign countries should include at least one local collaborator as part of their research teams. The selection committee will not consider applications seeking support solely for laboratory work or archival research. While grants are awarded on the basis of scientific merit and exist independent of the National Geographic Society’s other divisions, grant recipients are expected to provide National Geographic with rights of first refusal for popular publication of their findings.

This grant program does not pay educational tuition, nor does it offer scholarships or fellowships of any kind.

Eligibility
Applicants are not required to have advanced degrees to be eligible for funding, though they will be required to show a commensurate level of expertise and experience. Applicants must have an affiliation with an educational organization or other institution.

Previous grantees must first comply with all prior reporting and financial-accounting obligations before submitting applications for additional support.

Photograph by Sam Meacham

Grant Amounts
National Geographic Society/Waitt grants are awarded on a rolling basis and range from U.S. $5,000-$15,000. There is no set quantity of grants awarded, but budget constraints keep the number to approximately a hundred per year.

Grant Restrictions
National Geographic Society grants may not be used for indirect costs, overhead, and other expenses not directly related to the project. Fringe benefits are also excluded, as are salaries.

Funds may not be used for travel to scientific/professional meetings or conferences, legal actions, land acquisition, endowments, construction of permanent field stations, or publishing research results. Tuition costs are not allowable.

Grant recipients are expected to provide the National Geographic Society with rights of first refusal for popular publication of their findings.

Photograph by Sam Meacham

Obtaining an Application Form
Applying for a grant from the National Geographic Society/Waitt Grants program is a straightforward and quick process. Simply click on the link below to get started and within eight weeks, the selection committee will send a decision to the project director.

There are a few things you should know before doing so

* The application form can be completed in multiple sessions. You will be allowed to save your work to an online account and complete it at another time.
* You will have the opportunity to upload electronic copies of your curriculum vitae (CV), publication record, maps, images, and alternative budgets before submitting your application. Instructions will be provided. A copy of your CV is required.
* Please make sure that your browser is configured to receive cookies.
* This system works best on Internet Explorer 5.5 and Netscape 6.0 or higher.
* If you have any questions about the online application form, please email waitt@ngs.org.
* In order to ensure quick turnaround, applicants should encourage their recommended reviewers to submit their reviews/letter of reference in a timely fashion.

To Learn More About the NGS/Waitt Grants Program, Click Here

Waitt Expeditions

Part of the Program for Ocean Exploration and Conservation

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With the newly launched Program for Ocean Exploration and Conservation, the Waitt Institute for Discovery is committed to enabling interdisciplinary research deep beneath the planet’s last frontier of discovery. The ocean has much to reveal to us about the earth’s natural and cultural history — from mysterious new life forms to long-lost ships of ancient seafaring cultures. The Institute believes that our future, like our past, is tied to that of the sea. A better understanding of the world’s oceans is critical to the survival of all life on our planet.

Recent Expeditions:

- Albania (2008)

- Mexico (2008)

- Panama (2008)

- Turks & Caicos (2007)

Ocean Exploration Advisory Board
Some of the top scientists in the field serve on our Ocean Exploration and Conservation advisory board.