The Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI) is a non-profit research and higher education organization dedicated to ocean-based research and data. Established in 2016, the institute focuses its research on achieving net zero, protecting ocean biodiversity and sustaining ocean bioresources. OFI is based at Dalhousie University in the Ocean Sciences Building in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. History OFI was established in 2016 as a partnership led by Dalhousie University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and University of Prince Edward Island. The Institution also partners with international ocean research institutes, other Canadian universities, governments, Indigenous communities, and industry ranging from local small businesses to international corporations. In announcing the creation of OFI, Dalhousie University noted that it was set to become “one of the world’s most significant international ocean science collaborations.” The initial funding for the organization included a $93.7 million commitment from the Canadian government through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF). At the time of the announcement, it was the largest research grant in the history of Dalhousie University. An additional $125 million in cash and in kind contributions was also provided by provincial governments and partners, most notably a $25 million gift from business leader and philanthropist John Risley. The Institute administers the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, The Safe and Sustainable Development of the Ocean Frontier; Ocean School; and the North Atlantic Carbon Observatory (NACO); and hosts the Canadian project office of the Integrated Marine Biosphere Research (IMBeR) program. OFI's first CEO was Wendy Watson-Wright, who served in the role until December 2019. During this period, OFI saw more than sixteen ocean focused research projects reviewed by internal and external experts which included scientific analysis of the changing ocean ecosystems as well as studies to strengthen marine safety, ocean data and technology and the fishing and aquaculture industries. A further six large-scale research projects were launched in 2020 focused on the North Atlantic Ocean Climate and Coastal Communities and the Ocean. In March 2018 OFI launched its first round of Seed Funding in partnership with Canada's Ocean Supercluster and Innovacorp, providing financial support to ideas with the potential for advancing research, commercial or social concepts relating to the ocean. The Seed Fund has supported over 100 ocean related research projects ranging from studies on Non-Toxic Marine Anti-fouling Paint, to 4D Ocean Sensing Strategy, to collaboration efforts on the blending of Indigenous and Western knowledge. In 2018 OFI and Dalhousie