Global oceanographic research relies on extensive collaborative networks that integrate observations, modeling, and data sharing to improve our understanding of ocean dynamics and their role in the Earth system. These initiatives bring together scientists, institutions, and technology to monitor physical, chemical, and biological processes across multiple spatial and temporal scales. The following selection highlights key international programs dedicated to long-term ocean observation, climate variability studies, and the development of an integrated global ocean observing system.

1. Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI): A National Science Foundation (NSF) Major Research Facility, the OOI is composed of a network of science-driven ocean observing platforms and sensors in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This infrastructure measures physical, chemical, geological, and biological variables from the seafloor to the sea surface and overlying atmosphere, providing an integrated data collection system on coastal, regional, and global scales.​

2. European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and water-column Observatory (EMSO): EMSO is a large-scale European distributed Research Infrastructure for ocean observation, enabling real-time interactive long-term monitoring of ocean processes. It allows the study of interactions between the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere, including natural hazards, climate change, and marine ecosystems.​

3. Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS): GOOS is a permanent global system for observations, modeling, and analysis of marine and ocean variables to support operational ocean services worldwide. It provides accurate descriptions of the present state of the oceans, including living resources, continuous forecasts of the future conditions of the sea, and the basis for climate change assessments.​

4. Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans (POGO): POGO is a partnership of major oceanographic institutions from around the world, aiming to promote global oceanography, particularly the implementation of an international and integrated global ocean observing system.​

5. Climate and Ocean: Variability, Predictability, and Change (CLIVAR): An international research program focusing on the variability and predictability of the coupled ocean-atmosphere system, with a particular emphasis on climate change.