Ocean Challenge

Ocean Challenge proposal

Eligibility

Open to students currently enrolled in school or members of the general public, regardless of nationality. Teams may be formed across schools and age groups. The category will be determined based on the majority age group of team members; if evenly split, participants may choose the category themselves. Each team must consist of 2 to 8 members.

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Teen Category

Applicants aged 12-18.

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Youth Category

Applicants aged 19-35.

Details of the Competition

    1. This event encourages young people around the world to use marine elements and innovative ideas to address the crises and challenges facing our oceans. Since its inception in 2019, nearly 800 participants from 24 countries across Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa, and Latin America have joined the movement to protect the ocean. Through greater participation from both domestic and international youth, we hope to realize the goal of sustainable ocean development and collectively enhance ocean resilience through proposal, practice, and implementation.
    2. This year’s theme, "Youth in Action, Team Ocean," focuses on three core areas: Clean Ocean, Safe Ocean, and Smart Utilization of the Ocean. We encourage youth to apply innovative thinking, big data, AI technologies, and interdisciplinary approaches that integrate natural sciences with social sciences and the arts to propose solutions to ocean crises.
    3. The final presentation and showcase are scheduled to take place in early September 2025 (exact time and venue to be announced by the organizers). Each finalist team must have at least two members attend the in-person event (international teams may participate virtually). Presentation formats are flexible and may include slideshows, TED Talk-style speeches, video-enhanced storytelling, or other creative formats.

計畫期程

Date Task
May 25, 2025 (Sunday) 23:59:59 Submission deadline for proposal registration
July 31, 2025 (Thursday) Announcement of finalist teams
Early September 2025 Finalist teams' project presentation and showcase

Application and Deadline

  1. The registration system is now open and will close at 11:59 PM (Taiwan Time) on Sunday, May 25, 2025.
  2. Participants must complete the registration process before the deadline by following the steps below:
Written Proposal
  1. The proposal can be written in any language. If not written in English, an English translation must be provided.
  2. Content should include a summary (within 500 words), background, problem analysis, proposed solution, and expected impact.
  3. The proposal must not exceed 6 pages (including text and images). 4. Upload the file to Google Drive and provide a shareable link.
Pitch Video
  1. Maximum length: 3 minutes; any style or format is acceptable. Videos with voiceover or dialogue must include English subtitles.
  2. Resolution: 1920×1080 or higher; format: MP4.
  3. The beginning of the video must display the "Team Name," "Project Title," and "Ocean Challenge 2025."
  4. Upload the video to YouTube and provide the video link.
Ocean Wish Pool
  1. Teams may propose their wish to participate in an ocean-related experience, such as a one-day marine patrol, ocean conservation activity, meeting with marine scientists, or expert dialogues. Suggested formats can refer to Attachment 3. Finalist teams may have the opportunity to work with the organizers to fulfill their ocean wish. Selected wishes may also be included in the final showcase.

Selection Process

  1. The competition will be conducted in two stages: the preliminary selection and the final selection. In the preliminary selection, the Ocean Affairs Council will invite experts and scholars to evaluate the submitted proposals based on effectiveness in addressing the issue, innovation, and feasibility. A total of 12 outstanding teams will be selected (in principle, 6 from the Teen Category and 6 from the Youth Category) to advance to the finals.
  2. The final selection will be held in the form of a presentation. There are no restrictions on language or format — teams may choose to present through slideshows, TED Talk-style speeches, or videos. International teams may participate via video conferencing. Each team will present first, followed by jury comments and Q&A, then the team’s response. Time allocation is as follows:
    • Proposal Presentation: 6 minutes
    • Jury Comments and Questions: 6 minutes
    • Team Response: 8 minutes

Awards

Based on the evaluation results, 12 outstanding teams will be selected to advance to the finals (in principle, 6 teams from the Teen Category and 6 from the Youth Category). The final round awards are as follows:

  1. Implementation Grant:Each finalist team will receive an implementation grant of NTD 10,000, awarded in the form of a cash prize. The grant is intended to support the development or execution of the proposed project.
  2. Final Awards:Three winners will be selected in each category
    • Gold Award: NTD 120,000 and a certificate.
    • Silver Award: NTD 80,000 and a certificate.
    • Bronze Award: NTD 50,000 and a certificate.
  3. Corporate Sponsorship Award: Additional sponsored awards and prizes will be announced separately.

Copyright

1.Upon registration, participating teams are deemed to have agreed that all project-related outputs — including but not limited to final reports, photos, audiovisual materials (such as video recordings, short films, musical compositions, documentaries), and other written or visual content — will be granted to the Ocean Affairs Council, the American Institute in Taiwan Kaohsiung Branch Office, and their authorized parties as a non-exclusive, royalty-free license. These materials may be used for non-profit promotional and marketing purposes, without limitations on time, location, frequency, or medium. No separate written licensing agreement will be required between the participants and the aforementioned parties.

2.If any submitted proposal or introductory video contains third-party copyrighted works, participants must obtain proper authorization from the copyright holder and submit a copy of the authorization to the organizer for recordkeeping. Award recipients also agree not to exercise moral rights of authorship against the Ocean Affairs Council or its authorized representatives.

Points of Contact

  1. The organizer reserves the right to revise the proposal guidelines.
  2. Mr. Wang, 2025 Ocean Challenge Organizing Team
    Phone：+886-7-5333338
    Email：[email protected]

Mr. David Lee, Specialist, American Institute in Taiwan Kaohsiung Branch