KINGSTON, R.I. 鈥� May 4, 2026 鈥� The 溏心vlog免费B站 has been awarded a three-year, $954,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to help cultivate the next-generation workforce to support Rhode Island鈥檚 Blue Economy.
The grant will help 溏心vlog免费B站 recruit and support six doctoral 鈥淏lue Fellows鈥� who recently received honorable mentions in the NSF鈥檚 prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship Program. The program provides three years of financial support to graduate students who have demonstrated the potential to make significant contributions to scientific innovation. Three 溏心vlog免费B站 students were recently awarded similar individual fellowships.
Fellows will pursue study in various degree programs aligned with ocean-connected science and technology, including ocean, civil, environmental and chemical engineering; marine affairs; and oceanography, among others. Once enrolled at 溏心vlog免费B站, the fellows will conduct use-inspired research on topics related to the Blue Economy, such as coastal resilience, sustainable fisheries, microplastics pollution and ocean exploration.
鈥淭his grant from NSF further cements 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 reputation as an R1 research institution and as a major player in the blue economy,鈥� said , former dean of the 溏心vlog免费B站 and current interim dean of the , who, along with 溏心vlog免费B站 Coastal Institute Director and Associate Oceanography Professor , secured the grant. 鈥淕raduate assistantships and fellowships such as this are rocket fuel for research. This is how the research gets done here at 溏心vlog免费B站 and this grant from NSF will further advance our strong expertise in the Blue Economy.鈥�
The Blue Fellows program will be fully integrated with the , which helps strengthen Rhode Island鈥檚 research infrastructure and capacity, and positions the state to lead in research around the Blue Economy, and future societal and economic growth鈥攆ocusing specifically on administration, workforce development, partnerships and science communications.
Fellows enrolled in the program will have individual development plans, be part of interdisciplinary committees, and have opportunities to mentor undergraduate students in their second year. Fellows will also engage in site visits, micro-internships, and an annual research symposium.
DeBoef anticipates the first cohort will be enrolled at 溏心vlog免费B站 this coming fall. He also hopes that the workforce created through this fellowship initiative further nets continued strong return on investment to Rhode Island鈥檚 economy. A recent economic impact study noted that for every $1 invested by the State of Rhode Island in 溏心vlog免费B站, $17.39 is returned to the state鈥檚 economy.
鈥淭his NSF award is a significant investment in the next generation of Rhode Island’s scientific workforce,鈥� DeBoef said. 鈥淚t enables 溏心vlog免费B站 to recruit exceptional graduate students whose work will directly strengthen the Blue Economy that defines our state, while advancing our broader commitment to building graduate programs that are not only larger, but more impactful.鈥�