Ocean Exchange Names Finalists for $400,000 in Non-Dilutive Awards

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, September 25, 2026 — The Marine Technology Society (MTS) has announced the 2026 finalists for Ocean Exchange, its flagship program dedicated to accelerating innovative solutions for healthy oceans and a sustainable Blue Economy. Sixteen finalists will compete for $400,000 in non-dilutive awards during the annual Ocean Exchange event, taking place October 25-27 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

It’s the start of a new academic year for many of us, a perfect time to celebrate MTS’s role in education and workforce development.

We are thrilled to announce the recipients of our 2026 MTS Awards! Each year, we celebrate the outstanding accomplishments and dedication of the marine technology community. This year's awardees represent a diverse range of expertise and serve as inspiring examples of excellence across various areas, from technological innovation to volunteerism and mentorship. Our awardees exemplify a steadfast commitment to tackling challenges that have a lasting and meaningful impact on our interconnected global community. 

Former Saildrone executive and U.S. Navy Captain joins MTS as the Society continues to expand its role across the global ocean enterprise

Oregon Section Elects New Leadership

The MTS Oregon Section recently conducted its elections for officer positions, and we are delighted to announce the new leadership team, whose terms will run through June 30, 2028. Stay tuned for information about upcoming Section events this Fall!

Your Voice Shapes the Future of MTS

2026 EMERGE Program Recipients

With our largest cohort yet, MTS is excited to welcome the 2026 EMERGE participants. This group of students and early career ocean professionals (ECOPs) will spend the next year building skills, growing their network, and deepening their engagement with the broader marine technology community through professional development and personalized mentorship. Meet the 2026 EMERGE cohort:  

2026 MTS Scholarship Recipients

Each year, MTS proudly awards scholarship funding to students pursuing full-time marine technology related programs. We are thrilled to present this year's recipients who have demonstrated academic excellence, innovative thinking, and a passion for advancing our understanding of the marine environment. Meet the scholarship recipients below. 

Student Innovators Rise to the Challenge at the 2026 MATE ROV Competition World Championship 

MTS Proudly Announces Several MTS Summer Workshop Scholarships 

Student Teams from Around the Globe Take on Real-World Challenges at the 2026 MATE World Championship

Hosted in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada, this international competition challenges students to design, build, and deploy remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) in extreme ocean environments

Ocean Exchange Announces Collaboration with MEOPAR to Advance Canadian Innovation

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA – New for 2026, an addition to the Ocean Exchange ecosystem, an event curated to target Canadian innovators using the established Ocean Exchange process and network. 

Highlights from the Fisheries & Benthic Monitoring TechSurge

The World is Becoming More Complex. That Matters.

Power of Member Community – Governance & Stewardship

Ocean Exchange Kicks Off for 2026

As Ocean Exchange enters its first full season as a fully integrated program within the MTS family, I want to briefly reintroduce our mission for anyone still getting acquainted with us — and outline how members can engage in the months ahead. Ocean Exchange identifies and supports solutions that improve ocean health, strengthen coastal systems, and advance the broader blue economy. Joining MTS last July has expanded our reach and strengthened our ability to advance these innovations with the benefit of MTS's global network and technical community. 

BlueConneX Launches as the Connective Intelligence Platform for the Ocean Enterprise 

New market intelligence platform will deliver clarity before action for industry professionals, investors, and innovators navigating the Ocean Enterprise