Nonprofit ocean exploration organization OceanX today announced the launch of the Young Explorers Program (YEP), offering college students from across the nation the opportunity to learn about and explore the ocean aboard OceanX’s marine research and media vessel OceanXplorer. Launching this summer, the program, coordinated by OceanX with partners from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI) and Coral Vita, will host 10 participants as they chart largely unexplored areas on the ship’s 12-day voyage from the Azores to Svalbard, Norway.

“At OceanX, we are on a mission to explore the ocean and bring it back to the world, and we believe this must include nurturing and educating the next generation of scientists,” said Mark Dalio, Founder and Creative Director of OceanX. “We are thrilled to announce the Young Explorers Program, which is an opportunity to share our learnings, technologies and passion for the ocean with ten exceptional young students. This program is a great step in ensuring our oceans are understood and protected for generations to come.” 

The Young Explorers Program aims to expand access to ocean exploration, foster a new generation of ocean advocates and offer hands-on, immersive instruction to college students pursuing a degree in a related field. Participants will learn from world-class ocean scientists about the ocean genome, the tools and trades of ocean exploration, media and science communication and leadership in the field of exploration.