The Ocean Frontier Institute, established in 2016, is a partnership led by Dalhousie University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and University of Prince Edward Island.

The Institute is now an international entity administering the Canada First Research Excellence Fund -- The Safe and Sustainable Development of the Ocean Frontier, the Ocean Graduate Excellence Network (OGEN), Ocean School, and the North Atlantic Carbon Observatory (NACO).

The Ocean Frontier Institute recognizes that our staff and research community are located on diverse ancestral and traditional territories of diverse Indigenous groups. Our Dalhousie University and University of Prince Edward Island partners are located on the ancestral and unceded traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq people of Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia and PEI). Our Memorial University partners are located within the traditional territories of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit (Newfoundland and Labrador).

We acknowledge and recognize that the ocean research we undertake and support takes place across Canada and the Atlantic Region and engages a variety of Indigenous communities and cultures. We recognize and offer our respect to these Inuit, First Nation, and Metis people and their communities. We strive for respectful and meaningful partnerships with all the peoples of this country as we honour this land and, together, search for true healing and reconciliation. We are all treaty people and acknowledge the original Peoples of this land.

OFI's ocean research focuses on:

• Changes — research examines key aspects of atmosphere-ocean interaction, resulting ocean dynamics, and shifting ecosystems
• Solutions — research focuses on effective approaches to resource development that are sustainable, globally competitive, societally acceptable, and resilient to change

OFI research will help:

• Improve prediction and mitigation of major storms
• Manage human activities as they relate to ocean resources
• Improve the potential for fisheries and aquaculture industries to meet global seafood demand in a sustainable manner
• Strengthen marine safety
• Transform how we monitor the ocean with new data capture and IT tools
• Make marine conservation measures more resilient to climate change

Currently, OFI research focuses on the North Atlantic and Canadian Arctic Gateway, which includes the Labrador Sea and eastern portions of the straits of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

The region's unique physical, chemical, and biological processes make it an epicentre of international scientific interest and a predictor for the global ocean. Its deep overturning circulation results in the most intense carbon sequestration on the planet. It has a highly productive marine ecosystem and air-sea interactions that modulate the weather and climate of North America and Europe. Diminished ice cover has increased shipping in the Canadian Arctic, raising sovereignty, security, social, and environmental issues.

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The Ocean Frontier Institute is committed to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility throughout our programming, with focus on education and training, capacity building, and meaningful Indigenous engagement.  OFI draws on expertise and guidance from our institutions (Dalhousie, Memorial, UPEI) and through the Advisory Committee on Indigenous Engagement in Ocean Research, and an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility advisory group.  The Institute also draws on best practices from the Government of Canada and Tri-Agency resources such as the Canada Research Coordinating Committee: Strengthening Indigenous Research Capacity strategic plan, Canada Research Chairs, CIHR, NFRF, and NSERC EDI programs (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Research Resources).