The University of New Orleans has received a $150,000 award from BlueForge Alliance to support naval ship design education through the Naval Engineering Excellence for the U.S. Navy (NEXUS) initiative.

The project, led by Nikolas Xiros in UNO’s Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, runs from Nov. 1, 2025, through Nov. 30, 2026. The funding enables UNO to execute the NAVSEA Professors Program in the technical area of marine systems design. The program is part of NEXUS, an initiative designed to support the development of the future naval engineering workforce through engagement with university programs that award degrees in naval architecture, marine engineering or ocean engineering.

The NAVSEA Professors Program supports targeted curriculum, handbook and textbook development in specialized areas; mission-driven research; student design projects informed and supported by NAVSEA when appropriate; continuous undergraduate and graduate student engagement; sabbatical and internship opportunities; and prioritized recruitment.

BlueForge Alliance is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the U.S. Navy to strengthen the maritime industrial base, including workforce development and shipbuilding capacity.

NAVSEA, or Naval Sea Systems Command, is responsible for the design, construction, delivery and maintenance of the Navy’s ships, submarines and combat systems.