Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Science for the Bay, Impact for the World W&M's Batten School & VIMS confront societal challenges in coastal and marine systems through innovation, research and discovery, translating findings into practical solutions and training the next generation of scientists and citizens.

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News & Features

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In the News New Perspectives on Algae Algae are the unsung heroes of our planet and hold great promise for solving global issues, but to realize their potential the field of phycology must overcome fundamental challenges.

In the News $50M Historic Gift Fuels Scholarships in Coastal & Marine Sciences Alumnus provides largest scholarship gift in W&M’s history to empower undergraduates dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing global challenges.

A William & Mary undergraduate student assists in vaccinating trout in the lab of Batten School & VIMS Associate Professor Andrew Wargo. Soon, more W&M undergraduates will have opportunities to engage in education and research at the Batten School.

In the News W&M’s New Major in Coastal and Marine Sciences a First for Virginia Newly-approved major in coastal and marine sciences will leverage opportunities and expertise available through William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS.

In the News TRAP Program Awards First Round of Funding William & Mary's Batten School & VIMS has awarded more than $1.4M to fund 11 projects in nine U.S. states and Palau through the National Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment and Prevention (TRAP) Program.

In the News Purple Crabs Clobber Blue Carbon Purple marsh crabs are significantly disrupting carbon cycling in salt marshes along the East Coast of the U.S., according to a study led by William & Mary's Batten School & VIMS scientists.

In the News 2024 Dead Zone Report Card This year's report card suggests that the volume of hypoxia in the Chesapeake Bay was somewhat larger than the long-term average from 1985-2023 but the duration was slightly shorter.

In the News Current Models May Overestimate Future Bay Dead Zones A Batten School & VIMS study found surprising variability in the results of different modeling methodologies for predicting future dead zones in the Chesapeake Bay.

In the News “The Arts and Sciences Have a Lot in Common, and that’s Our Love for the Planet” Professional painter Tricia Bass recently partnered with William & Mary's Batten School & VIMS for an Artist-in-Residence pilot program, with the idea that art can generate interest in marine science.

In the News Winners of 25th Annual Photo Contest Announced The annual photo contest at William & Mary's Batten School & VIMS recognizes the most noteworthy images captured by faculty, staff and students while in the field and laboratory. One Grand Prize winner was selected, as well as five category winners.

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What We Do

Photo of two children seining on the York River.

What We Do

Research & Advisory Services

VIMS is a premier coastal and marine sciences research institute and a state agency with a mandate to conduct research and provide sound scientific advice to the Commonwealth of Virginia. In the years since our founding in 1940, we have developed unique capabilities in people, practices and infrastructure that allow us to provide the honest, unbiased science and guidance needed to help address the pressing issues facing our rivers, estuaries, coasts and oceans.

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Batten School

William & Mary's Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences at VIMS is a preeminent graduate school, providing a world-class education in coastal and marine sciences. M.A., M.S., and Ph.D. programs prepare students to address societal and global challenges in estuarine, coastal and marine systems. Opportunities also exist for undergraduate students, who can conduct hands-on research and minor in Marine Science through a collaboration with Arts & Sciences at William & Mary.

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Outreach & Education

Our outreach activities and place-based learning opportunities for school groups, teachers, political leaders and the public reach more than 30,000 people each year. Developing an engaged citizenry ready to tackle the challenges posed by global change is a core element of our work.

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Upcoming Events

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