Building the Next Generation of Marine Scientists, Environmental Researchers, and Ocean Leaders
Building the Next Generation of Marine Scientists, Environmental Researchers, and Ocean Leaders
What is BCRP?
California’s premier undergraduate program turning underrepresented students into certified researchers, divers, and Blue Economy professionals — fully funded, hands-on, and built for students the field has historically left out.
Skills Learned
- PADI Open Water Certification
- Hands-on Research
- GIS & Environmental Data
- Mentorship
- Career Placement
2026 Program at a Glance
Applications Open
October 20, 2025.
Deadline to Apply for the 2026 Cohort is February 3rd, 2026.
Our Impact
What You’ll Learn
Core Field & Technical Training
A 12-week curriculum focused on foundational marine science skills.
- PADI Certification: Students earn their PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Open Water Diver certification, which allows them to conduct safe and effective underwater research.
- Water Quality Testing: Participants conduct water quality tests in local coastal ecosystems and analyze key environmental indicators to understand pollution impacts.
- Biodiversity Tracking: Students use digital tools such as iNaturalist to record species and help build local conservation data.
Advanced Research & Data Communication
Students are trained to apply their skills to real-world environmental challenges and communicate their findings.
- Field Excursions: The program includes several diving trips and field excursions, with special research projects at the Tijuana River Estuary.
- Geospatial Analysis: Students learn to use Esri ArcGIS software for mapping and spatial analysis.
- Science Communication: Participants create reports and presentations with ESRI StoryMaps to share scientific data with a wide audience.
Professional Development
Weekly mentorship and career workshops support participants’ readiness for the workforce.
- Direct Mentorship: Students get guidance from researchers, faculty, and Ph.D. students at partner institutions.
- Networking: Participants attend conferences and connect with GIS organizations and environmental leaders.
Why This Matters
California’s coastline is at a critical crossroads. Climate change, sea level rise, pollution, habitat degradation, and biodiversity loss are reshaping our coastal and marine ecosystems at an unprecedented pace. Addressing these complex challenges requires a new generation of environmental leaders who bring diverse perspectives, scientific expertise, and strong connections to the communities most affected by environmental change.
The BIPOC Coastal Research Program is preparing that next generation by combining hands-on field research, emerging technologies, environmental stewardship, and workforce development. Through experiential learning, students gain practical skills in marine and coastal science, GIS and geospatial technologies, environmental monitoring, data analysis, and science communication—while developing the leadership and collaborative skills needed to advance resilient, equitable, and sustainable solutions for California’s coast and beyond.
California’s Coastal Ecosystems
Stretching from Los Angeles County to the Tijuana border, California’s coastline is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Students in our program explore tidepools, kelp forests, wetlands, estuaries, and sandy beaches that support thousands of marine species and play essential roles in climate regulation and coastal protection.
These ecosystems, however, face growing threats from pollution, urban runoff, habitat loss, and climate change. Areas like the Tijuana River Estuary and San Diego’s wetlands are among the most at-risk environments in the region.
The BIPOC Coastal Research Program helps protect these ecosystems by training students to conduct biodiversity surveys, water-quality testing, and coastal monitoring. Through hands-on science and stewardship, participants contribute to ongoing efforts to understand and safeguard the unique coastal environments that define Southern California.
Program History
2025 Inaugural Cohort
Our Summer 2025 “BCRP Lite” pilot program successfully tested and refined the model for this initiative. This cohort demonstrated high engagement and significant outcomes:
- Participants: 14 students from local community colleges and universities, including SDSU, UCSD, and CSU Fullerton.
- Certifications & Skills: 12 students earned new PADI Open Water certifications, and all participants received training in GIS StoryMaps.
- Field Experience: Working with UC San Diego Scripps Institution, students observed more than 300 biological samples and organized community beach cleanups.
Global Learning
The BIPOC Coastal Research Program extends learning beyond the classroom, connecting students with coastal communities, researchers, and conservation initiatives around the world. Through international field experiences, participants compare ecosystems, explore innovative conservation practices, and build the cross-cultural competencies and professional networks that leadership in the Blue Economy demands.
Study Abroad in Brazil
(Summer 2027)
Field research: Coral reefs, mangrove forests, estuaries, and coastal ecosystems
Collaborations: Universities, conservation organizations, and local communities
Focus areas: Marine science, sustainable aquaculture, and biodiversity conservation
Scuba Certification — Dive Into Research
Scuba is one of the things that sets BCRP apart. Students earn a globally recognized PADI Open Water certification and learn to dive for real research — no prior experience required.
- Why scuba? Diving is how you actually see the ecosystems you're studying, not just read about them. For many participants it's their first time in the ocean this way, and it changes how they think about conservation.
- What certification? PADI Open Water Diver — the same certification used by scientific and recreational divers worldwide. Training runs from e-learning through pool sessions to your open water dives.
- Why researchers dive. Marine research happens underwater. Observing habitats, tracking species, and collecting field data all require being in the water yourself, not just on the shore or in a boat.
- Careers that require diving. Marine biology, oceanography, conservation research, and marine biotechnology all rely on divers in the field.
- Safety training. Every dive is led by certified instructors from SoCal Black Divers, with structured pool training and supervised open water dives before any research diving begins.
- Equipment provided. Wetsuits, gear, and certification costs are fully covered. Just show up ready to get in the water.
Blue Economy Career Pathways
One of the biggest questions students ask is, “What job will I get?” BCRP connects every skill you learn to a real Blue Economy career.
Industries
- GIS & Remote Sensing — mapping and analyzing environmental data to guide research and policy, the same StoryMaps work BCRP students learn firsthand.
- Marine Biotechnology — using ocean organisms to develop new science, medicine, and materials.
- Environmental Consulting — helping businesses, agencies, and developers navigate environmental compliance and impact.
- Conservation — protecting habitats, species, and ecosystems through fieldwork and policy.
- Coastal Resilience — protecting shorelines and communities from erosion, flooding, and rising sea levels.
- Offshore Renewable Energy — building and maintaining wind and wave energy systems along the coast.
- Fisheries & Aquaculture — managing fish populations and farming fish, shellfish, and marine plants for food and restoration.
- Ocean Technology — designing the tools and sensors researchers rely on to study and monitor the ocean.
Career Opportunities
- GIS Analyst — turns raw spatial data into the maps and visualizations decision-makers actually use.
- Marine Biologist — studies ocean life and ecosystems, building on the tidepool surveys and species identification BCRP students already practice in the field.
- Environmental Consultant — guides organizations toward sustainable, compliant decisions.
- Conservation Technician — does the on-the-ground restoration and monitoring work that makes conservation happen.
- Environmental Engineer — designs the physical solutions, from flood-control systems to water treatment, that make coastlines more resilient.
- Environmental Scientist — assesses the impact of these projects and makes sure they work with, not against, the surrounding ecosystem.
- Natural Resource Manager — oversees how these resources are used and protected over the long term.
- Oceanographer — studies ocean physics, chemistry, and currents, work that connects directly to BCRP's atmospheric river and water-quality training.
Program Benefits
What you walk away with.
Graduate School Preparation
Real research experience and a completed capstone project that strengthen graduate applications.
Internships & Entry-Level Roles
Hands-on GIS and fieldwork skills that translate into environmental and conservation careers.
Career Placement Support
Direct connections to professionals and workforce pathways through mentorship sessions.
Research Lab Invitations
Field experience in sampling, monitoring, and data collection that opens doors to lab opportunities.
Conference Presentations
Every student presents a final research project — real experience communicating science.
Portfolio-Ready Credentials
A PADI certification and a professional StoryMaps project to show for it.
Meet Our Students
“I had a great experience in the BIPOC Coastal Research Program. The program was informative, engaging, and gave me valuable exposure to the field through hands-on research. I especially enjoyed the networking opportunities, which helped me explore potential career paths and connect with professionals. Thank you for creating such a supportive and meaningful program.”
— BCRP Participant
“I’ve been long torn between choosing Civil, Chemical, or Environmental Engineering, or Environmental Science. This program solidified my major as Engineering, since it feels like the right fit for me. But I haven’t lost my love for the environment, and I still want to work somewhere environmentally conscious.”
— BCRP Participant
“The fact that the program covered the majority of costs was phenomenal. It removed barriers to fully immerse myself in the program without having to think about whether I could afford to participate.”
— BCRP Participant
“I truly had a great time learning more about marine biology and oceanography. I will always appreciate this program for allowing me to explore further into an industry I was already very interested in.”
— BCRP Participant
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Research Projects
Where BCRP students actually do the work, from the LA River to the Tijuana River Estuary, La Jolla tidepools to the edge of the atmosphere.
Water Quality Monitoring: LA River
Water Quality Monitoring: Tijuana River
Lab Visits
Scuba Diving
Beach Cleanup
Boating
Bird Surveys
Conservation Research
GIS Mapping
Weather & Altitude Research
Tidepool Sampling
Our Research Sites Across Southern California
From La Jolla to the Los Angeles River, our students conduct hands-on field research at 11 active sites across the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any student at a two-year or four-year college who is actively pursuing a degree can apply. You don’t need a background in marine science or environmental studies — just curiosity and a willingness to get in the water and out in the field.
No. Most participants have never dived before joining BCRP. Certified instructors from SoCal Black Divers take you through classroom training, pool sessions, and your open water dives from the ground up — all the way to your PADI Open Water certification.
Yes. BCRP was built with community college students in mind, alongside students at public universities across San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire.
Nothing. The program is fully funded, so tuition, gear, transportation, and field fees are all covered for every accepted participant.
No. Wetsuits, dive gear, and all research and field equipment are provided. Just show up ready to work.
Transportation to field sites and research locations is covered as part of the program.
Participants typically meet two days a week, about six to eight hours per day, over the course of the 15-week program. The pace shifts depending on the activity — from classroom sessions to full field days.
We look for students who are motivated and ready to commit to hands-on fieldwork — not students who already have marine science experience. If you’re serious about showing up and doing the work, you’re the kind of applicant we want to hear from.
All across Southern California, including La Jolla Shores, Imperial Beach, the Tijuana River Estuary, Mission Bay, and Catalina Island.
When funding allows, we provide a learning stipend to participants. Availability can vary year to year depending on our grant funding, so we’ll always let accepted students know what’s available for their cohort.
Partnerships
The BIPOC Coastal Research Program is funded by a Liberated Pathways Grant from Justice Outside and the CA Natural Resources Agency. Our main academic partner is the UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography. We also work with community partners like LA Waterkeeper and San Diego Coastkeeper.
Contact
Elizabeth Cotton
Executive Director, Black Tech Link
elizabeth@blacktechlink.org
(951) 223-1030
