Water bodies often span multiple political boundaries and many of the challenges facing our planet are global in nature, hence international collaboration in general and in the aquatic sciences in particular is necessary to address these challenges. Most universities do not offer formal training for students to guide them in initiating and conducting productive international research collaborations. To address this need, this project provides a comprehensive training program that includes professional development opportunities and on the ground experience in planning and executing a collaborative international research project led by graduate students. This project catalyzes the development of globally engaged U.S. aquatic scientists by providing a multi-stage modular high-quality training and research program for graduate and undergraduate student teams. The experience advances graduate students in their professional development, career achievements and opportunities for success and prepares future scientists to conduct collaborative work, serve to expand networks and mentoring, improve science through collaborations and serves to increase the status of U.S. research in the world. LOREX ME supports graduate students throughout the whole process of conducting international collaborative research. Graduate students prepare individual research proposals for projects aligned with their specific research goals and execute the project at one of several international research