What is the Schmidt Ocean Institute and why does it keep making headlines?
Founded by a Google chairman and his wife, this floating research lab has discovered more new species than almost anyone.
The answer
The Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI), founded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and his wife Wendy, operates the research vessel Falkor (too) - one of the world's most advanced ocean research ships. In 2025, SOI-supported expeditions made global headlines by filming the colossal squid alive for the first time, discovering dozens of new deep-sea species, and exploring some of the ocean's least-known regions. SOI provides free ship time to scientists worldwide, democratizing access to deep-sea research that traditionally required government or military vessels. Their 2025 expeditions spanned from Antarctic waters to tropical seamounts, using state-of-the-art ROVs capable of reaching 4,500 meters depth. The institute has contributed to the discovery of hundreds of new species since its founding in 2009.
Source: Schmidt Ocean Institute
- schmidt-ocean-institute
- ocean-research
- exploration
- philanthropy
More from Ocean & Deep Sea
- How much of the ocean has actually been explored?
- What are hydrothermal vents and how do they support life?
- How do whales communicate across entire ocean basins?
- What are brine pools on the ocean floor?
- What is at the very bottom of the Mariana Trench?
- How do ocean currents regulate global climate?