Opportunity: Participate in a workshop tailored to engage new users of deep-submergence science facilities, including graduate students, post-docs, early career scientists and engineers or scientists with strong interest in deep-sea research. The workshop is scheduled for the afternoon of December 5 (Saturday) and 6 (Sunday), 2026 at American Bookbinder Museum (before the 2026 AGU meeting). Applications for travel and lodging support are being accepted through Tuesday Oct 13, 2026

Background: The UNOLS Deep Submergence Science Committee (DeSSC) is a committee of scientists who provide recommendations and advice to the operator and supporting funding agencies of the National Deep Submergence Facility (NDSF). The NDSF manages and operates the U.S. human occupied submersible Alvin, the remotely operated vehicle Jason/Medea, and the autonomous underwater vehicle Sentry. These deep submergence vehicles are renowned for facilitating and advancing deep-sea research.   The New User Program brings together the NDSF and other US deep submergence vehicle operators to give the participants a well rounded view of the assets available for deep submergence research.

The DeSSC Annual Community Meeting, held annually, is an open forum for scientists and engineers at any career stage to learn about scientific discoveries and technical advances, and share successes, opportunities and challenges of working the deep sea. 

DeSSC New Users Program:  DeSSC is committed to increasing the involvement of the U.S. scientific community in deep-sea research. To that end, our New Users Program aims to: 1) expose students, post-docs, early career scientists and other new deep-submergence vehicle users to DeSSC, the NDSF, Federal Agency Representatives, and other deep-submergence facility operators; 2) engage participants in DeSSC advisory activities; 3) offer participants networking opportunities in the process of developing research programs that use NDSF and other deep-sea vehicles; and 4) enable participants to learn from scientists actively involved in deep-sea facility-supported research. These goals will be achieved through a workshop (prior to the DeSSC Community meeting) in which more experienced deep-sea scientists, vehicle operators, and federal representatives share their expertise on deep-sea research, program funding, technology, and data management, and through directly involving participants in the DeSSC fall meeting.  Additional suggestions for this year’s program are welcome and can be submitted on the application form.

The DeSSC New Users Program will be held on Saturday, December 5 from noon to 5:30 pm, followed by a mandatory networking dinner (6:30 pm to 9:00 pm). The DeSSC fall meeting will occur on Sunday, December 6 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (the day before the start of the 2026 AGU meeting) in San Francisco, CA.    New Users are expected to attend all events.

Application:  Graduate students, post-docs, early career scientists and engineers or scientists  can apply for financial support to offset the cost of travel and lodging for the program. Participants must attend the entire Saturday program, dinner, and Sunday DeSSC meeting.  To apply for the DeSSC New Users Program, please complete the online application form at: https://forms.gle/UkU4YXwDeFCUrXUA6.  Please direct questions to Alice Doyle (alice@unols.org).   The deadline for application is Oct 13, 2026

Location:  The 2026 UNOLS DeSSC NUP will be held at the American Bookbinders Museum at 355 Clementina St. San Francisco, CA - a short walk from the Muscone Conference Center.   Financial support for travel is available.