New OceanX education fellowship invests in ocean science careers and expands ocean literacy. Fellows will leverage digital and Immersive Media and strategic communications to bridge scientific discovery, global awareness, and ocean stewardship. New York, March 24, 2026 - The ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth's surface, sustains critical ecosystems, and represents one of the world's most promising frontiers for renewable energy. Yet outside the scientific community, its importance and potential remain widely unfamiliar. To help change that, OceanX is partnering with the Institute of International Education (IIE) to launch the Ocean Futures Fellowship, a new initiative designed to expand ocean literacy and empower the next generation of ocean innovators. Designed to support professional development at the intersection of science and emerging media, the program connects Fellows with collaborative, real-world educational projects and monthly mentorship and leadership development workshops. Fellows will work with OceanX researchers and ocean experts across a range of regions and disciplines, joining a growing network of early-career ocean science researchers and reporters, and will culminate in a relevant and timely capstone project. Applications open through May 3, 2026. Applications are open now through May 3rd, 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. Bachelor's degree holders in marine biology, climate or environmental sciences, journalism or media studies, AI and machine learning, nonprofit management, finance, and other related fields are eligible to apply. The next cohort will be placed in various focus areas, including: * AI - Design and apply multimodal AI systems in collaboration with OceanX teams to accelerate ocean science insights and deliver impactful exploration and conservation stories. * Digital Correspondent - Communicate ocean science and conservation through journalism, storytelling, and digital platforms. * Digital Asset Archives - Support media, science, and production teams to organize, maintain, and enhance access to OceanX's growing media archive. * Immersive Media - Use technology, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, game design, and UX/UI, to engage audiences with ocean exploration and education. * Partnerships - Support the establishment and continuation of relationships that support ocean health. * Marketing and Communications - Assist with planning and executing strategic, cross-channel campaigns while gaining experience in content creation, digital communications, and collaborative project work. Prospective applicants should review full eligibility requirements and other information on the Ocean Futures Fellowship website. The program is full-time, remote, and lasts six months (June - December 2026). Fellows receive a monthly stipend and have the possibility to travel to board the OceanXplorer vessel to observe and document cutting-edge research firsthand. "This fellowship represents a powerful investment in emerging talent at the intersection of science and communication," said Jason Czyz, President and CEO of IIE. "We are honored to partner with OceanX to implement the Ocean Futures Fellowship. Together, we are opening meaningful career pathways for early-career leaders and equipping them to unlock the potential of the ocean." Expanding ocean literacy is essential to unlocking the ocean's sustainable potential," said Mark Dalio, Founder and Co-CEO of OceanX. "Through this fellowship, and the partnership with IIE, we're equipping students and early-career professionals with the tools to turn discovery into understanding, and understanding into action. By connecting science, storytelling, and technology, we can inspire youths from all backgrounds to help protect the ocean and build a future where humanity and the ocean thrive together." 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 along as the first 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 help 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 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. For media inquiries, please contact: Karuna Tuli [email protected] (65) 84186101

In 2026, OceanX will fold into the HMGICS Annual Hackathon with a robotics brief, mentorship and judging duties.

Art, science, and storytelling unite on first day of OceanX Summit. OceanX Team A Call to Reimagine Its Ocean Future Art Meets Science: The Digital Artist Residency Program Reimagining Conservation Storytelling Immersive Frontiers - XR & Gaming in Ocean Education The Power of Imagination On October 1, OceanX launched the innaugural OceanX Summit in Singapore. This landmark event brings leaders across science, philanthropy, education, and media together for boundary-pushing discussions about innovative approaches that can support the ocean's health. Day 1 set the stage for how immersive educational tools and strategies are essential to connecting people with the ocean and inspiring the next generation of leaders A Call to Reimagine Its Ocean Future. Mark Dalio, OceanX Co-CEO and Founder, opened the Summit with a powerful invitation to reimagine humanity's relationship with the ocean through the lenses of exploration, science, and storytelling. He emphasized Southeast Asia's critical role as a hub for ocean innovation and collaboration, while underscoring the importance of empowering young people to lead in unconventional roles that are not always associated with ocean progress. "You could be a storyteller, a game designer, or even an engineer," he said. "We want to equip the new generation to make a difference to the oceans, no matter their backgrounds." Art Meets Science: The Digital Artist Residency Program. A highlight of the first day was the announcement of the OceanX and Pioneer Works Residency Program, an initiative that bridges art and science to foster creativity and new forms of ocean engagement. Through the residency, OceanX will provide data, tools, and scientific support, while Pioneer Works offers space, visibility, and networks. The chosen resident will work with both organizations to translate scientific data into innovative artistic outputs that can both inspire and educate viewers and participants. As noted by Dr. Lim TM, Executive Director of OceanX Education, OceanX believes "the ocean is the greatest classroom on planet Earth, and we want to be able to bring this to everyone." Together, this partnership fosters dialogue between art and science and cultivates relationships where both disciplines affirm their value to a sustainable, bluer future. Reimagining Conservation Storytelling. Leading creatives and storytellers joined a panel to discuss how bold new storytelling formats can transform public understanding of the ocean. Exploring the power of immersive media, data-driven art, and more, they emphasized that storytelling grounded in science and amplified through multimedia can turn complex issues into accessible narratives, foster empathy and responsibility, and inspire global action. "The real crisis isn't just climate change or AI, it's a crisis of imagination, creativity, innovation, and collaboration," said Dustin Yellin, Artist and Founder at Pioneer Works. Converging complex science with immersive art styles can help OceanX understand and engage with the ocean, making it meaningful to everyone. By designing participatory experiences and leveraging cross-disciplinary technologies, the arts can bridge gaps, mobilize communities, and drive measurable ocean impact. Immersive Frontiers - XR & Gaming in Ocean Education. From immersive world-building to extended reality (XR), innovative storytelling is reshaping how OceanX experience and understand the ocean. In this panel, leaders in film, digital media, and science communication explored how multimedia can engage, move, and inspire global action. This year, OceanX Education introduced Hackathons, a program on board the OceanXplorer that brings diverse professional together to concept new ways for people to learn about the ocean and its needs. "Hackathons bring educators, creatives, and scientists into one space - sparking something engaging and imaginative yet grounded in actual ocean science," said panel moderator Kay Vasey, Chief Connecting Officer at MeshMinds. The program's structure prioritizes collaboration across fields to find ocean education and science solutions, translating data into engaging worlds or developing analysis tools that revolutionize how scientists can understand their research. The Power of Imagination. In its first day, the OceanX Summit underscored that science alone cannot secure a sustainable ocean future - it must be paired with education, creativity, and collaboration to reach a broader audience who understands what the ocean needs and get involved in building solutions. Accompanying guests on the OceanXplorer's main deck are the very projects that were developed at sea during OceanX Education Hackathon programs, and pull guests into a new reality where ocean data is brought to life. The next generation is emerging as powerful leaders, using storytelling and technology to drive change. "Games are the best way to learn everything. What is a game? There's a goal, there's a challenge, there's some stress. So you're going to be a little worried you might not make it through, and then when you do - that learning stays with you because of the emotional reaction it triggers," said Michael Thompson, Programme Head of DigiPen Insitute of Technology Singapore. OceanX is bringing science alive. Immersive media can move people from passive awareness to active stewardship by making learning intuitive and providing experiences that connect with people's emotions. "All humans play. We learn through play - and games let us do things you can't do in the real world," said Andreas Suika, Game Designer and Creative Technologist. He stressed that providing immersive spaces to learn through cross-disciplinary collaboration between science, art, and technology opens new ways to inspire curiosity and responsibility. Together, these forces are helping humanity reimagine its relationship with the ocean and the planet.