Adventure with impact starts here.

The Foundation

Research Buddies (RBs) experience a unique opportunity to assist our Staff in the attainment and processing of all data collected from the projects we are engaging in.

Research Buddies will not only learn practical, theoretical, problem-solving and analytical skills that will enhance their prospects as future conservationists, but will learn how to communicate science to local stakeholders through school education and community outreach programs.

SKILLS ACQUIRED
- PADI Open Water Scuba Certification
- PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Scuba Certification
- Intimate knowledge of coral reef ecosystems and processes
- Intimate knowledge on Indo-Pacific coral, fish, benthic,
invertebrate and disease identification
- ~30-40 training and survey dives per month
- Experience working with Marine Scientists in a professional environment
- Communicate science through community outreach activities

Research

Buddy

2-4 Weeks

No Experience Necessary

Not included during your stay

.

• Flights to the Philippines

• Transfer to Dumaguete

• Overnight accommodation in Cebu or Manila (if required)

• Tourist visa (beyond 90 days)

• Travel & Diving Insurance

• Lunch/Saturday evening dinner

• Additional drinks & excursions

• Apo Island Trips

• Additional recreational dives (including night dives)

We recommend bringing your own mask, fins, snorkel & wetsuit. .

Things that are included during your stay

.

• PADI Open Water & Advanced Open Water Diver courses (incl. digital materials)

• 5-day coral reef ecology & physiology lectures

• Workshops: coral, fish, benthic, invertebrate & disease ID

• ~30–40 training & survey dives/month (weather dependent)

• Marine Protected Area fees

• SCUBA & field equipment (bring mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit)

• Accommodation (shared), 2 meals/day (Sun–Fri), Sat night is dinner night (out)

• 24 h in-country support, internet

• Airport/ferry pickup from Dumaguete

Costs

The program is broken down into a series of 'Training' and 'Project' weeks. During 'Training Week' RB's will participate in their PADI Scuba Training. During 'Project Weeks' RBs will participate in one of our projects.

.

The pricing options are therefore:

• 2-week Training/Project program - US$1,625

• 3-week Training/Project program - US$2,325

• 4-week Training/Project program - US$3,025

.

If you're already scuba certified to PADI Advanced Open Water Diver level (or equivalent) you can skip 'Training Week' and come directly onto the 'Project Weeks'. A discount will be applied

The Core

As a Research Assistant with RBP, not only will you gain experience in the field working with innovative and fine-scale research techniques, but engross yourselves in the knowledge and responsibilities required to lead each component of our research project, under the guidance of our dive team. RBPs RAs are our leaders in the field, maintaining and developing our current research projects, processing and analyzing our data, whilst learning how to create new research questions and build a research project from the beginning to compliment your studies. With this knowledge, our RAs will also be key lecturers and mentors to our upcoming Research Buddies. RBP proudly creates professional and well-rounded Marine Scientists, who leave with the knowledge and confidence to develop independent research projects and work with Institutes around the world to develop and communicate our current understanding of coastal ecosystems.

In order for our RAs to take complete leadership and responsibility over each of our research projects, spaces are limited to 4 RAs at a time. Suitable applicants must attach their Curriculum Vitae (CV) with their application form, and be available for a Skype/WhatsApp interview.

SKILLS ACQUIRED
- Intimate knowledge of coral reef ecosystems and processes
- Intimate knowledge on Indo-Pacific coral, fish, benthic,
invertebrate species, and disease identification
- Experience lecturing on coral reef ecology topics
- Data analysis of images & video
- Leadership experience within a Non-Profit NGO
- Experience working with Marine Scientists in a professional
environment
- Experience realizing, teaching, and cultivating innovative
research techniques
- Experience leading each component of our Research
Assistant course
- Data processing, statistical and analytical skills

Research

Assistant

4-12 Weeks

No Experience Necessary

Not included during your stay

.

• Flights to the Philippines/Dumaguete

• Overnight accommodation in Cebu or Manila (if required)

• Tourist visa (beyond 90 days)

• Travel & Diving Insurance

• Saturday evening dinner

• Additional drinks & excursions

• Apo Island Trips

• Additional recreational dives (including night dives)

We recommend bringing your own mask, fins, snorkel & wetsuit. .

Things that are included during your stay

.

• PADI Open Water scuba course, including digital learning materials

• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver scuba course, including digital learning materials

• 5-day coral reef ecology & physiology lecture series

• Workshops on Philippine coral, benthic and fish identification

• ~30-40 training and survey dives per month (weather permitting)

• Marine Protected Area fees

• Full scuba equipment (although we recommend bringing your own mask, fins and wetsuit for comfort

• All necessary field equipment

• 24hr in-country support

• 2x meals Sunday to Friday (Saturday night is dinner out night!) /li>

• Accommodation for the duration of your stay (on a shared basis)

• 24hr internet access

• Airport/Ferry pickup from Dumaguete

Costs

The program is broken down into a series of 'Training' and 'Project' weeks. During 'Training Week' RAs will participate in their PADI Scuba Training. During 'Project Weeks' RAs will participate in supporting ALL of our projects.

.

The pricing options are therefore:

• 4-week Training/Project program - US$3,025

• 8-week Training/Project program - US$5,825

• 12-week Training/Project program - US$8,625

• .

  If already certified PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent) you can skip 'Training Week' and come directly onto the projects. A discount will be applied.

  .

  Additional dive training, including Rescue Divers and diver specialty courses will be available to RA's through PADI at cost price

The Professional

This comprehensive two-to-three-month training program provides all the necessary practical and theoretical training to prepare you for a professional career in marine conservation science. RBP Divemaster Trainees will acquire and expand on the knowledge of a Research Assistant or Research Buddy by confidently leading underwater surveys, as brought by the knowledge and experience gained through the PADI Divemaster course. As a RBP Divemaster Trainee, not only will you be ready to function in a research capacity, but you will also learn the responsibilities, etiquette, priorities, knowledge and career guidance required to work as a scuba diving professional. This is an immersive experience for motivated individuals that wish to change careers, or are serious about significantly boosting their employment prospects as a professional diver and marine conservation scientist.

SKILLS ACQUIRED
- PADI Rescue Diver, Emergency First Response, &
Divemaster certification
- Intimate knowledge of coral reef ecosystems and processes
- Intimate knowledge on Indo-Pacific coral, fish, benthic,
invertebrate species and disease identification
- Data analysis of images & video
- Leadership experience within a Non-Profit NGO
- Experience working with Marine Scientists in a professional
environment
- Experience realizing, teaching, and cultivating innovative
research techniques
- Experience leading underwater training and research dives
- Data processing, statistical and analytical skills
- Communicate science through community outreach activities
- Career guidance and job placement training

Research

Divemaster

8-12 Weeks

No Experience Necessary

Not included during your stay

.

• Airfare & domestic transfers

• Accommodation in Manila/Cebu (if required)

• Tourism visa (beyond 90 days)

• Travel & Diving insurance

• PADI Professional Membership Fee (currently US$125)

• Any meals and drinks beyond included plan

• Additional recreational dives, including night dives

We recommend bringing your own mask, fins, snorkel & wetsuit. .

Things that are included during your stay

.

• PADI Open Water scuba course, including digital learning materials

• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver scuba course, including digital learning materials

• PADI Emergency First Response/Rescue Diver scuba courses, including digital learning materials

• PADI Divemaster Certification

• 6-day coral reef ecology & physiology lecture series

• Workshops on Indo-Pacific coral, benthic and fish identification

• ~30-40 training and survey dives per month (weather permitting)

• Marine Protected Area fees, including for the underwater sculpture park

• Full scuba equipment (although we recommend bringing your own mask, fins and wetsuit for comfort

• All necessary field equipment

• 24hr in-country support

• 2x meals Sunday to Friday (Saturday night is dinner out night!)

• Accommodation for the duration of your stay (on a shared basis)

• 24hr internet access

• Airport/Ferry pickup from Dumaguete

Costs

The program is broken down into a series of 'Training' and 'Project' weeks. During 'Training Week' DMTs will participate in their PADI Scuba Training. During 'Project Weeks' DMTs will participate in supporting ALL of our projects.

.

The pricing options are therefore:

• 8-week Training/Project program - US$6,050

• 12-week Training/Project program - US$6,850

  .

If already certified PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent) you can skip 'Training Week' and come directly onto the projects. A discount will be applied.

.

Additional dive training, including CCR and diver specialty courses will be available to DMTs through PADI at cost price

Join Us In 2026

Would you like to be part of our project family in 2026? Spaces for our volunteer program are available from May through to the end of September.

Fill in the information request form here, and one of our team will reach out to you with an information pack. Our contact details for more information are also below.