The University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography is home to a diverse portfolio of research centers and programs that unite expertise from across the university and beyond. While based at GSO, these centers foster interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists, engineers, educators, students, and external partners to advance ocean discovery, coastal resilience, marine technology, and environmental stewardship.
Through research, education, and public engagement, these centers amplify the impact of GSO’s work—connecting disciplines, building partnerships, and translating science into solutions for society.
URI Coastal Institute
The URI Coastal Institute (CI) is an interdisciplinary organization based at GSO. It catalyzes coastal research, fosters partnerships, and translates science into policy to support resilient, sustainable coastal communities and ecosystems. CI is also tasked with nurturing partnerships between URI, the state of Rhode Island, federal agencies, Rhode Island municipalities, non-profit organizations working on local coastal issues, and coastal researchers from other universities.
Around the world, the Coastal Institute International Program (formerly the Coastal Resources Center) works with communities to strengthen stewardship of shores and seas.
NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI)
The Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI) is a unique consortium of top oceanographic institutions—several graduate degree-granting institutions, an ocean exploration non-profit, and task-specific affiliates. They work as one to advance the core priorities of NOAA Ocean Exploration.
The OECI mission is to explore, map, and characterize the nation’s vast ocean territory, to develop and implement new technologies, and to engage future generations of ocean scientists, engineers, and stakeholders.
Rhode Island Sea Grant
Rhode Island Sea Grant (RISG) is one of 34 programs in the National Sea Grant College Program working to enhance environmental stewardship and long-term economic development and responsible use of coastal and marine resources. Located at GSO, RISG supports research, outreach, environmental literacy, and workforce development programs that foster the resilience of local and regional communities and marine environments.
Rhode Island Sea Grant partners with the Roger Williams University (RWU) School of Law on our legal program, located at the Marine Affairs Institute at RWU.
STEEP (Sources, Transport, Exposure, and Effects of PFAS)
URI STEEP (Sources, Transport, Exposure, and Effects of PFAS) is a major Superfund Research Program led University of Rhode Island, in partnership with Harvard University and the Silent Spring Institute, and funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
The initiative investigates how toxic “forever chemicals” (PFAS) spread through the environment, enter the food web, and affect human health, particularly in vulnerable populations.
URI Inner Space Center
The Inner Space Center (ISC) is an international hub for ocean science exploration and education. Through its advanced facilities, the ISC expands the number of scientists engaged in live expeditions and inspires the next generation of ocean explorers. It is an international leader in ocean science education and outreach, promoting ocean literacy in diverse audiences.
It is home to some of the largest ocean science education and outreach initiatives in the country, and serves as the hub for the National COSEE Network and the Climate Change Education Partnership Alliance. The ISC also offers a variety of tours, field experiences, and interpretive programs for students, educators, and the public.