PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Oceanographers in New England have asked the National Science Foundation for a new research vessel so members of a research consortium can explore the ocean together.

The foundation is looking for institutions to operate two new research vessels.

The University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts and the University of New Hampshire formed the East Coast Oceanographic Consortium to apply for a vessel.

The application deadline is Thursday.

Twelve other universities and research institutes are associate consortium members. They'll collaborate on research and education initiatives.

URI operates one of the foundation's vessels, the Endeavor. It's 41 years old and scheduled to retire within five years.

Graduate school dean Bruce Corliss said that bringing everyone together creates opportunities for new oceanographic research and educational activities. They'll share ideas and resources, which promotes the science, he added.

Marine science institutions along the East Coast have been discussing the idea of a consortium for several years.

"It's a very broad group of institutions that are interested in oceanography," Corliss said. "That is, I think, going to be the new model."

The University of Southern Mississippi and the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium formed a similar partnership to do environmental research together and train the next generation of oceanographers. They're applying together to the foundation for a vessel for the Gulf Coast area.