The Ocean Futures Fellowship is an OceanX Education program implemented with the Institute of International Education. It places fellows remotely within OceanX teams for full-time work spanning AI, science communication, digital archives, immersive media, marketing and communications, or partnerships.
Over six months, fellows complete practical projects, professional development, mentorship, and a capstone while contributing to ocean exploration, conservation, and public engagement. The 2026 application cycle closed on May 3, and the official sites describe future cohorts without publishing the next opening date.
Benefits & funding
- Fellows receive a monthly stipend for full-time participation; the official page does not publish the amount.
- The stipend excludes housing, relocation, transportation, dependent, and other personal-expense allowances.
- A technology stipend may be available case by case, and selected fellows may have an opportunity to travel aboard the OceanXplorer.
- Fellows receive professional development, mentorship, hands-on project experience, and access to OceanX’s international network.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be at least 21 and hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution before the fellowship starts.
- Applicants must be authorized to work in their country of residence and able to commit full-time from June through December 2026.
- The fellowship is open across nationalities to people meeting the criteria; fellows work remotely from their home countries.
- Applicants need full professional English proficiency at C2 level or equivalent, practical AI literacy, and experience or strong interest relevant to one of the six fellowship roles.
- Partnerships applicants need a relevant degree; Immersive Media and Digital Correspondent applicants need a degree related to ocean science, conservation, media, communications, or a related field.
- Fellows generally work during Singapore business hours; the Marketing and Communications fellow may instead work New York hours depending on location.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
Bachelor
Age requirement
≥ 21 yrs
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Application process
- 1Choose the fellowship role that matches your background and confirm that you meet the general and role-specific degree requirements.
- 2Prepare required links to your resume or CV and video response; a sample project and English score are optional.
- 3Complete the online form with background and work-history details, a resume or CV, short-essay responses, and a short video on your qualifications and motivation.
- 4Submit by the published deadline; the application cannot be updated after submission.
Program timeline
Applications opened
March 24, 2026
Application deadline
May 3, 2026, 11:59 PM U.S. Eastern Time
Candidate interviews
Mid-May 2026
Fellowship offers announced
Late May 2026
Fellowship and onboarding started
June 22, 2026
Fellowship ends
December 2026