As climate change continues to increase in severity, there is more urgency to explore ocean-related climate solutions, creating innovative opportunities. Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) approaches are gaining attraction from public and private sectors, yet additional responsibly conducted research is required to ensure that these pathways effectively, safely, and responsibly remove carbon. Furthermore, public acceptance and the social license to operate are integral components to effectively and safely remove carbon, as coastal communities will carry most of the risk from potential environmental impacts and are important knowledge holders who can support monitoring and verification. Thus, effective public communication and engagement from the onset of mCDR research is critical. This presentation will share the methodology, process, and lessons learned from the establishment and first phase of the Transforming Climate Action program, CONVERGE CDR within Atlantic Canada. This program aims to integrate science, policy, community engagement, and economic research to foster collaboration among academia, government, Indigenous communities, and mCDR practitioners and explore how to maximize potential beneficial environmental impacts and mitigate adverse consequences. Told from the Research Lead’s perspective, this presentation will highlight successes and challenges in establishing the CONVERGE CDR program and during the first phase of this program. It will showcase our communication and engagement approaches and the utility of such programs to help establish integrated networks of researchers and sector representatives that are centered around active engagement. We will discuss the protocols established in this project, progress to date, and future plans to co-design site scoping and initiation of research with community members to create a productive and supportive space for the advancement of responsible and equitable pathways in mCDR research.