At the College of the Environment and Life Sciences, you’ll deepen your understanding of the living world and your place within it.
The work that happens here is rooted in our land- and sea-grant mission, and connected to the needs of the local, regional, and global communities. Our faculty researchers work collaboratively across disciplines, drawing from a broad, inclusive field of human knowledge to make critical discoveries within their fields. URI’s core research facilities and specialized labs offer the latest technologies that will enable you to gather field data, synthesize vast amounts of information, and develop solutions to real world challenges. Whether you are interested in urban food systems; protecting marine wildlife; understanding what makes an organism adapt and an ecosystem thrive; or assisting policy makers in the shift towards renewable energy and sustainable natural resource management, you’ll find your place here.
URI Cooperative Extension
Education and engagement with Rhode Island communities is at the core of what we do. As a land-grant and sea-grant university, our mission is to ensure URI provides education and applied research that helps communities and improves the lives of Rhode Islanders.
learn moreNews and Stories
A $0 Electric Bill: How a URI Senior Is Helping Rhode Island Farmers Go Solar November 2, 2026 - URI student Kyle Jolicoeur is helping Rhode Island farmers cut their energy costs as an Energy Fellow through URI Cooperative Extension.
‘Rising Waters’ documentary screening looks at challenges facing one Rhode Island town October 30, 2026 - Rhode Island Sea Grant offering free screening of student film about climate change in Warren, Rhode Island.
URI zoologist’s study of wild Panamanian bats highlights use of metrics to inform bat conservation October 26, 2026 - Travis Bayer’s use of technology trackers offers new insight into the flights of Central American bats.
URI to join State Department grant to help feed the future in fisheries October 23, 2026 - Fisheries professor joined by Coastal Institute researcher looking at how to curb illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing worldwide
