By The Swell Squad
The Next Swell is a non-profit organization established to cultivate future generations of scientists and marine conservationists through education and opportunity. Founded in 2020 by biologists, educators, psychologists, and ocean lovers, the primary goal of The Next Swell is to provide scholarships for students seeking a degree in a marine science field, while simultaneously working to educate the public and promote public engagement on ecological issues.
The Cost of Higher Education. The cost of higher education in the United States is high and continues to rise. The average 2021-2022 yearly tuition cost for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography programs was $30,179 for undergraduate programs and $23,127 for graduate programs. This excludes living expenses and potential research costs. The gauntlet of unpaid and low-paid internships and early career opportunities for marine biologists is exacerbated by the fact that the average marine biologist salary is only $52,243. Additional financial burdens brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have compounded this issue.
Who is the Next Swell? The Next Swell was started during the COVID-19 pandemic to help ease the financial costs associated with starting a career in marine conservation. The fiscal burden of marine science education prevents many prospective candidates from joining the field. Those deterred from the field by educational costs could potentially play a critical role in addressing issues, such as rising ocean temperatures and failing marine ecosystems. We cannot afford to miss out on amazing future conservationists simply due to the cost of education. The Next Swell strives to provide educational opportunities to any exceptional student candidate, increasing the number of conservationists dedicated to solving our most pressing problems in marine science. Approaching its second round of awards, The Next Swell scholarship is already paying dividends. Previous scholarship winners conduct research in abalone and oyster habitat restoration, as well as predation responses within the marine food web.
Additionally, the organization hosts public engagements ranging from beach clean-ups, educational seminars, blogs and beyond.
Who Are We Helping? The Next Swell received almost 60 scholarship applications in its first year and we are expecting to surpass that for the 2022 cycle. The Next Swell seeks to empower exceptional students from all demographics and walks of life. Having experienced first-hand the benefits of collaborative science, we know that the challenges facing marine ecosystems will be most effectively solved through contributions from experts with diverse personal backgrounds, and we believe very strongly in promoting a culture of inclusion and diversity within marine conservation.
Call to Action. In 2022, The Next Swell will be providing four scholarships to exceptional undergraduate and graduate student candidates. The organization is primarily funded by individual donors, proceeds from the online webstore, and revenue from fundraising events. Our goal is to continue increasing the number of scholarships and amounts offered as we grow. Additionally, we want to further increase our public engagement and attendance at outreach events. We welcome volunteers to participate in our clean up events or to help host an event near them. Information is available via our website on how to volunteer.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media