Please fill out the Student Interest Form if you are interested in participating in the Peerside Program.
We invite prospective Peerside mentors to please prepare your Expression of Interest using the Narrative Information document below to propose science for the Peerside expeditions aboard the R/V Western Flyer and at Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) for remote science. Participating mentors will be supported with vessel access, travel, room and board, student and mentor stipends, and the Peerside community. Mentors will also be supported for a 2-day expedition planning workshop in St. Petersburg, Florida.
FIO and Peerside will combine expedition proposals for research as needed to fully utilize the vessel and advance a multidisciplinary network of mentors. Participating mentors are expedition co-lead scientists and have two weeks of field time for their science, engineering, or communications, and education objectives. We anticipate a team of 8-10 mentors will be working with 2-3 students each as part of the program. Mentor participants must agree to adhering to a Mentor Compact (PDF).
The EOI process remains open throughout the year, and the annual summer program EOI reviews will follow the timeline below for the upcoming 2025 cohort.
Prospective Mentors- please submit your Expression of Interest using the Intake Form.
Peerside Program
R/V Western Flyer
4,000 m rated Remotely Operated Vehicle
| March 8, 2024 | EOI Process Opens |
| June 8, 2024 | Review for 2025 Program |
| August 2024 | Notification of Participants |
| Oct/Nov 2024 | Mentor Workshop |
Expressions of Interest will be reviewed annually by FIO staff and members of the Peerside Advisory Group. Participation in Peerside as mentors is open to all, but participation requires two key elements:
1) Demonstration of commitment to the Peerside mission and activities in terms of availability to meet the required schedule throughout the year including pre- and post-expedition trainings;
2) Availability of vessel to the subject area, region, and time of interest.
All requests are subject to availability of funding and the vessel operating schedule.
Assessment will be based on strength of student involvement, use of assets/fit for the R/V Western Flyer, and scientific merit. You must be able to attend an expenses-paid 2-day expedition planning workshop in St. Petersburg Florida in the October – November 2024 time frame and have open blocks of 21 consecutive days of availability in May – August 2025.
Please sign up for our Peerside Mailing List here
