OceanX and the Institute of International Education (IIE) are accepting applications for the Ocean Futures Fellowship 2027: a 12-month, fully remote fellowship with a monthly stipend for early-career professionals who want to build careers in ocean exploration, media and communication. Fellows join from their home countries, so Africans can take part without relocating.
Deadline: Tuesday, 17 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. US Eastern Time (5:59 a.m. WAT on 18 November).
Key Details
- Organisers: OceanX and the Institute of International Education (IIE)
- Length: 12 months (starting February or April 2027)
- Format: fully remote, from your home country
- Funding: monthly stipend
- Session times: during Singapore (SGT) business hours
- Deadline: 17 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET
Fellowship Tracks
- AI Fellow: design and apply multimodal AI to speed up ocean science and storytelling (starts April 2027)
- Digital Asset and Archives Fellow: archival and digital asset management with OceanX’s media and science teams (starts 15 February 2027)
- Immersive Media Fellow: VR, AR, game design and UX/UI for ocean education (starts 15 February 2027)
- Marketing and Communications Fellow: cross-channel campaigns and content creation (starts April 2027)
- Partnerships Fellow: building and managing OceanX partnerships (starts 15 February 2027)
Benefits
- a monthly stipend (no extra allowances for housing, travel or dependents); a technology stipend for some fellows, case by case
- training, educational projects and professional development
- mentors from the global OceanX Changemakers Community
- a capstone project combining your track with ocean research and technology
- a possible chance to sail aboard the OceanXplorer research vessel or attend an OceanX Summit
Eligibility
- at least 21 years old
- a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution before the fellowship starts
- full professional English (C2 level or equivalent)
- interest and practical knowledge in AI literacy and using emerging technology responsibly
- able to make the fellowship your main commitment for 12 months (full-time students and people with other major commitments should think carefully)
- for Immersive Media and Marketing: a degree in ocean science, conservation, media, communications or related fields; for Partnerships: sustainable finance, policy, science, nonprofit management, media, communications or business-related fields
How to Apply
- Prepare links to your CV and a short video on your qualifications and motivation (required), plus optional links to a sample project and English test score.
- Complete the online application, including background details and short essays.
- Submit before 17 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET. See the official IIE fellowship page and FAQs; questions go to [email protected].
Tips
- Upload your CV and video to Google Drive or YouTube (unlisted) and test the links in a private browser window.
- Keep your video short, natural and focused on one ocean story you care about.
- Show concrete skills for your track: a portfolio, a campaign, a VR project or an AI notebook.
- Check that you can attend sessions in Singapore business hours (early mornings in West Africa).
