Supporting Marine Conservation Through Technology
For more than 35 years, REEF has engaged divers, snorkelers, scientists, and ocean advocates around the world in hands-on marine conservation and citizen science. Through the Volunteer Fish Survey Project, REEF has built one of the world’s largest marine life citizen science datasets. Through initiatives like Grouper Spotter and SMILE: Size Matters Innovative Length Estimates, REEF has continued to explore practical tools and emerging technology that strengthen conservation impact.
In June 2026, REEF announced its selection as one of the inaugural host organizations for Claude Corps, a new national fellowship program from Anthropic that places early-career talent within mission-driven nonprofit organizations.
What is Claude Corps?
Claude Corps is a 12-month national fellowship from Anthropic that places AI-trained, early-career talent inside mission-driven organizations. Selected hosts work alongside fellows on real, high-impact projects with significant technical mentorship from CodePath and Anthropic throughout the year.
The program is built and funded by Anthropic in partnership with CodePath and Social Finance. REEF was invited to join the inaugural cohort and is one of the founding host organizations.
Each fellow completes a Claude-focused bootcamp before placement and continues structured technical training throughout the fellowship year. Fellows are early-career professionals selected nationally for technical ability, communication skills, self-direction, and a motivation to work in the social sector.
Where Claude Corps fits at REEF
REEF's conservation science work has always combined community participation, marine research, and emerging technology. Trained volunteer divers contributing to the Volunteer Fish Survey Project. AI-assisted length estimates through SMILE. Individual grouper identification through Grouper Spotter. Long-term collaborations with Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, Oregon State, and NOAA-affiliated researchers.
Claude Corps is the next chapter in that work, not the first. Claude Corps fellows will help support projects already underway at REEF, including improving data tools for the Volunteer Fish Survey Project and conservation research, and helping organize more than 30 years of conservation photos, videos, and educational resources.
Outcomes of Claude Corps will support the people who make REEF what it is — our global community of ocean advocates, volunteers, scientists, educators, supporters, and partners in conservation. Claude Corps fellows are joining the REEF team as additional capacity to help build tools, improve systems, and support conservation work already underway.
REEF is exploring hosting Claude Corps fellows at the REEF Campus in Key Largo, Florida and with our team at Scripps Institution of Oceanography La Jolla, California starting October, 2026.
A thoughtful approach
As with many emerging technologies, REEF continues to approach this work strategically and in purpose driven support of our mission to conserve marine environments worldwide.
The systems we are developing through practical technology uses help REEF continue to maximize the impact of every conservation dollar by giving our team better tools to support the programs, research, and community driven work that are at the heart of our mission.
This is not new territory for REEF either. We have been involved in AI-supported conservation for years. SMILE, Grouper Spotter, and our partnerships with leading marine science institutions all reflect that history.
Frequently asked questions
Why is REEF doing this?
Two reasons. First, REEF has several conservation and education projects that would benefit from additional technical support and focused project capacity. Second, programs like Claude Corps can help organizations like REEF access tools and expertise that can strengthen our work and allow us to continue focusing resources on direct conservation impact.
How is this funded? What does it cost REEF?
Claude Corps is fully funded by Anthropic, in partnership with CodePath and Social Finance. REEF provides project direction, mentorship, equipment, and the working environment.
Who are the fellows?
Early-career professionals (under two years' full-time work experience) selected through a national open application process managed by Anthropic. Selection criteria include technical ability, communication skills, self-direction, and motivation to work in the social sector. There's no minimum education requirement. All fellows complete a Claude-focused bootcamp before starting their placement.
Is REEF replacing staff with AI?
No. Fellows are joining the REEF team as additional capacity to build tools and improve systems. Our staff, volunteers, scientists, and educators remain the core of how REEF does its work.
What will fellows actually work on at REEF?
Final project scoping happens with Anthropic this summer. Likely areas include Volunteer Fish Survey Project modernization, marine computer vision projects, AI-assisted digital asset management for REEF's media archive, and operational and communications workflows. We'll share specific project briefs as they're finalized.
Is REEF using generative AI to write content or replace human creative work?
No. The Claude Corps work at REEF is focused on improving tools, organizing information, and supporting conservation and research projects. It is not replacing the human voices, educators, scientists, photographers, and storytellers that make REEF what it is.
What about the environmental cost of AI?
REEF recognizes that emerging technologies, including AI, can raise important environmental, ethical, and societal questions. The tools Claude Corps fellows will develop will focus specifically on practical applications for specific conservation and research projects that support our mission. Like many technologies, AI has environmental costs as well as potential benefits. We will continue to approach the use of emerging technology purposefully and responsibly. We will continue evaluating how these tools are used at REEF and their alignment with our values for conservation and accessibility.
How is this different from other tech-for-nonprofits programs?
Claude Corps places talent inside organizations for a full year, with significant technical mentorship from Anthropic throughout. The fellows essentially serve as a fully funded, fully supported member of the host team, not a short-term consultant.
Where will fellows be based?
REEF Campus in Key Largo, Florida and Scripps Institution of Oceanography / UC San Diego in La Jolla, California, depending on final project fit.