Bridge to Ocean Exploration Experiential Learning Program

A core mission of the OECI is to inspire the next generation of ocean explorers and foster awareness of Blue Economy career pathways. The Bridge to Ocean Exploration (B2OE) Program, based out of the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography, is an experiential learning program key to advancing this mission, offering paid, part-time opportunities in ocean science, engineering, data science, and science communication to interested and eligible students.

Autonomous vehicles, such as the surface vehicle, Drix, shown on the left, are key to advancing the OECI’s ocean exploration initiatives (photo credit: OET). B2OE students can connect with scientists remotely in Mission Control at the Inner Space Center (center), and visit OECI partner sites, like the engineering/maintenance bay for the human occupied submersible, Alvin, at WHOI (photo credit: ISC).

During a pilot program in the 2021-2022 academic year, the OECI collaborated with the New England Institute of Technology to create an initial cohort of B2OE students that worked on projects in machine learning, cloud-based data systems, media asset management, and multimedia production. In the Fall of 2022, the OECI began its collaboration with the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), recruiting students to participate in the part-time, paid, experiential learning program.

Check out this article highlighting previous B2OE student experiences! The B2OE program was also spotlighted on WJAR NBC Channel 10 in December 2025.

The OECI has now begun its fifth year of collaboration with CCRI, and is recruiting for Cohort 6 of the B2OE program. Project pathways for Cohort 6 will include:

The OECI is recruiting up to nine CCRI students to participate in B2OE Cohort 6 (2026-2027 academic year). Students with interests and qualifications identified in the project descriptions above are encouraged to submit an application, with a copy of their resume or CV, on or before November 6, 2026. Applications for this Cohort will be reviewed on a rolling basis; interested individuals are encouraged to apply promptly. Please find the online application here.

Benefits to B2OE program participation include:

  • PAID, part-time opportunity; payment via stipend (up to $21/hr equivalent, as long as students are meeting project benchmarks and completing all program requirements)
  • Exposure to cutting-edge ocean science, engineering, and media production technologies and best practices within the OECI
  • Collaboration with OECI personnel; field trips to tour URI, WHOI, and other facilities, as well as local industry (if/when possible)
  • Opportunity to remotely participate in NOAA Okeanos Explorer and EVNautilus expeditions (if/when possible)
  • Peer-to-peer interaction to build communication skills
  • Information exchange and networking opportunities with industry professionals during a virtual Blue Economy Career Awareness Fair

Questions, please contact Holly Morin (holly_morin@uri.edu).

Year 7 Update

Bridge to Ocean Exploration (B2OE)

Lead: Adam Soule, Holly Morin (URI)

For Year 7, B2OE supports Cohort 5 — up to eight Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) students placed into paid, mentored, experiential learning projects aligned with OECI activities. Students from CCRI programs in computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, and media production are provided with invaluable insight into blue economy careers.