Fellowship Aims to Expand Ocean Literacy and Career Pathways
Singapore, October 27, 2026 — At the recent OceanX Summit in Singapore, OceanX and the Institute of International Education announced the third application cycle for the Ocean Futures Fellowship, an experiential learning and mentorship program for early-career storytellers, technologists, and connectors passionate about ocean sustainability and conservation. Piloted in 2025 and officially launched in early 2026, the Fellowship will expand from six to twelve months.
Current Ocean Futures Fellows attended the three-day Summit aboard R/V OceanXplorer, where leading scientists, educators and decision-makers convened to explore how science, education and collaboration can help shape a viable future for humanity and the ocean.
Current Fellows contributed to Summit programming, engaged with mentors, and participated in an Ocean Leadership workshop facilitated by IIE. Inaugural Ocean Futures Fellows Lewis Kimaru from Kenya and Muralidhara Ram Muruganfrom Malaysia joined the Summit to demonstrate their capstone project, I Am Kelp, an immersive application that enables users to simulate life—including ecosystem imbalances—in an underwater forest.
Applications Now Open Through Nov. 17, 2026
Oceans are essential to life and livelihoods around the world, absorbing more than 90% of the excess heat caused by greenhouse gas emissions while supporting more than 100 million jobs across sectors ranging from fisheries and shipping to tourism and energy. The Ocean Futures Fellowship aims to create clear career pathways and foster interdisciplinary collaboration in service of promoting ocean literacy and ocean management. Through hands-on training, mentorship, and structured learning modules, fellows develop valuable skills and expertise, culminating in a capstone project aligned with their discipline.
Applications for the third cohort are open now through November 17, 11:59 PM U.S. Eastern Time. OceanX and IIE are seeking early-career professionals equipped and excited to translate ocean science into story-driven solutions. Applicants with bachelor’s degrees in relevant disciplines, including marine biology, environmental sciences, journalism, media studies, technology, and nonprofit management, are encouraged to apply, subject to the full eligibility requirements. The next cohort will be placed in various focus areas, including:
- AI – Gain experience in designing and applying multimodal AI systems in collaboration with OceanX team members and learn how AI can accelerate ocean science insight and support exploration and conservation storytelling.
- Digital Asset & Archives – Gain experience in learning archival and digital asset management practices alongside OceanX’s media, science, and production teams.
- Immersive Media – Gain experience using technology, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, game design, and UX/UI, to engage audiences with ocean exploration and education.
- Marketing and Communications – Collaborate to plan and execute strategic, cross‑channel campaigns while gaining experience in content creation, digital communications, and collaborative projects.
- Partnerships – Gain experience in establishing and maintaining relationships with potential OceanX partners.
Prospective applicants should review the full eligibility requirements and other information on the Ocean Futures Fellowship website. Fellows will receive a monthly stipend and will participate fully remotely from their home countries. The program includes the potential opportunity to travel on board the OceanXplorer vessel or attend an OceanX Summit.
“The early success of the Ocean Futures Fellowship underscores the power of investing in talent and creating pathways for the next generation of ocean leaders. As an organization with deep expertise in designing and administering world-class workforce development programs, IIE is proud to partner with OceanX to bring this vision to life. In less than a year, we have expanded the Fellowship, and we are already seeing participants translate complex ocean science into narratives that inspire greater public understanding and engagement. We are grateful to Mark Dalio and the entire OceanX team for their partnership and trust.”
The future of ocean conservation depends on the people we empower today,” said Mark Dalio, Founder and Co-CEO of OceanX. “Through our partnership with IIE, the Ocean Futures Fellowship gives emerging professionals the opportunity to learn from experts, develop practical skills and contribute their own perspectives to some of the ocean’s most pressing challenges. Expanding the programme to a full year allows us to deepen that experience and support the next generation of leaders who will help shape the ocean’s future.”
Leveraging its Southeast Asia regional office in Bangkok, Thailand, IIE serves as the program’s co-designer and implementing entity. IIE’s expert services include outreach and recruitment, program operations, merit-based selection, and award administration. The Ocean Futures Fellowship expands IIE’s portfolio of STEM-focused educational, leadership, and training programs for the future.
Follow #OceanFuturesFellowship as the current cohort progresses through their fellowships.
To learn more about the Ocean Futures Fellowship, visit www.iie.org/programs/oceanfuturesfellowship/.
About the Institute of International Education (IIE)
The Institute of International Education (IIE) is the leader in designing and implementing international education strategies and program services. We work with governments, policymakers, educators, and employers across the globe to prepare students and professionals for the global workforce and equip them to solve the increasingly complex challenges facing our interconnected world. With support from donors, we also create initiatives that assist students, scholars, and artists whose lives and work are threatened; expand teaching and learning across cultures; and provide life-changing opportunities. A not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, IIE has a network of offices and affiliates worldwide and over 1,600 higher education partners. Visit iie.org.
About OceanX
OceanX is a nonprofit working to unlock the ocean’s sustainable potential. Through a dual focus on science and education, we’re building a new paradigm where humanity and the ocean mutually thrive. Our approach is fueled by exploration, leveraging advanced research, multimedia educational programs, cross-sector partnerships, and advanced technology to transform how people understand and value the ocean. Our work strives to fortify biodiversity and increase the sustainable use of ocean resources to help ensure the ocean remains a foundation for human wellbeing and future potential. OceanX is a nonprofit operating program of Dalio Philanthropies. For more information, visit www.oceanx.org and follow OceanX on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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