Internships

students gather around a sanctuary intern teaching on a sandy beach with the ocean behind them

Internships available through NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) offers several internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to gain experience and skills related to NOAA’s mission. Follow the links below for more information.

Student Opportunities

Find information about nationwide educational opportunities (e.g., science fairs, graduate fellowships, internships) that are available through NOAA.

NOAA Undergraduate Scholarships and Internships

Get hands-on experience while pursuing research and educational training in NOAA-mission sciences.

Virtual Federal Service

Gain experience in your interest areas within federal agencies (including NOAA and the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries) by taking on a virtual internship.

a person with a ballcap on using a measuring tool with students looking on — Greater Farallones Association Education Fellow helps students learn about sand crab monitoring. Image: Jaclyn Schneider

California State University (CSU) COAST Internship Program

COAST partners with federal and state agencies, nonprofit organizations and industry to provide paid summer internships for continuing CSU undergraduate and graduate students. Interns work side-by-side with professionals on current scientific research, policy, and resource management projects throughout California. The program provides excellent opportunities to gain valuable experience and learn technical skills while working with experts in fisheries, marine ecology, policy, and marine technology.

John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program

Provides a unique educational and professional experience to graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The Fellowship matches highly qualified graduate students with “hosts” in the legislative and executive branch of government located in the Washington, D.C. area for a one year paid fellowship.

Nancy Foster Scholars

The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program provides support for master’s and doctoral candidates in oceanography, marine biology, and maritime archaeology—these may include but are not limited to ocean and/or coastal: engineering, social science, marine education, marine stewardship, cultural anthropology, and resource management disciplines—and particularly encourages women and members of minority groups to apply.

NOAA Sea Grant

Sea Grant is a federal-university partnership program that brings science together with communities for solutions that work. Sea Grant supports students on their path to marine and coastal careers.

Greater Farallones Association Fellowships

Greater Farallones Association, a nonprofit partner supporting the Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries offers seasonal fellowships for early career professionals or college students with backgrounds underrepresented in the sciences. Positions provide instructional and or administrative support to education and science programs run by Greater Farallones Association.

students look at the ocean on a sandy beach