The Virgin Islands Center for
Autonomous Research (VICAR)
Advancing marine science, autonomous technology, and STEM capacity in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
VICAR is a U.S. National Science Foundation EPSCoR initiative at the University of the Virgin Islands that is building new capacity for ecological research, monitoring, and restoration. The project brings together marine science, autonomous technologies, advanced data tools, and workforce development to better understand changing ocean and coastal ecosystems.
VICAR is building the people, tools, and research infrastructure needed to expand marine and environmental science in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It combines long-term ecological research with technologies such as autonomous underwater vehicles, ocean gliders, aerial drones, 3D photogrammetry, artificial intelligence, and advanced data systems. These capabilities allow researchers to collect and analyze environmental information more consistently and at greater scales while preparing Virgin Islanders to work with the technologies shaping the future of marine science.
One project. Three connected areas of work.
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RESEARCH
UNDERSTAND CHANGING MARINE ECOSYSTEMS
VICAR studies coral reefs, mangrove forests, and the open ocean to better understand how environmental change affects the ecosystems surrounding the Virgin Islands.
Explore What We Study →
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TECHNOLOGY
Build better ways to observe them
Autonomous systems, 3D mapping, AI, and standardized data workflows are being developed and integrated through the VICARIUS platform.
Explore VICARIUS →
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WORKFORCE
WORKFORCE
Build local capacity to use them
Students, educators, researchers, and professionals gain hands-on experience with marine science, robotics, data analysis, and emerging technologies.
Explore Workforce Development →
Why VICAR? Why now?
The waters surrounding the U.S. Virgin Islands are changing rapidly. Coral reefs have experienced repeated bleaching, hurricanes, and disease; mangrove systems face disturbance and development pressures; and offshore conditions influence everything from fisheries to coral bleaching and hurricane development.
At the same time, new autonomous technologies are changing how scientists can observe these systems. VICAR brings those capabilities to the Virgin Islands while building on decades of marine research at UVI.
VICAR at a glance
VICAR is a collaborative UVI initiative
VICAR brings together researchers, technical specialists, educators, students, and partners across the University of the Virgin Islands to advance marine research, technology, and workforce development.