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, 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. The OECI is now in its fourth year of collaboration with CCRI, and is currently recruiting up to ten CCRI students to participate in B2OE Cohort 5 (2025-2026 academic year), with project pathways focused on:

Benefits to B2OE program participation include:

  • PAID, part-time opportunity; payment via stipend (one check for $3750 in early March 2026, the other in late May 2026)
  • 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 EV Nautilus expeditions
  • Peer-to-peer interaction to build communication skills
  • Information exchange and networking opportunities with industry professionals during a virtual Blue Economy Career Awareness Fair

Interested CCRI students must complete the OECI B2OE online application on or before 11:59 pmET, October 25, 2025.

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