15 Marine Biology Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you’re an undergraduate student interested in marine biology, consider a summer internship in the field.
What will I do as a marine biology intern?
As a participant, you can gain real-world experience in labs, research stations, aquariums, or even on research boats. These internships let you see how marine scientists work, from collecting samples and analyzing data to studying ecosystems and conservation efforts. You’ll also get exposure to different areas of marine biology, including oceanography, fisheries, aquaculture, and ecological research.
Why should I intern in marine biology as an undergraduate?
Completing a marine biology internship also strengthens your job applications, showing employers that you’ve explored your interests professionally and gained practical experience beyond the classroom.
With that, here’s a list of 15 marine biology internships for undergraduates to help you get started!
15 Marine Biology Internships for Undergraduates
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by the program (financial aid available)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective program for undergraduates who want experience working at start-ups. You’ll join a high-growth start-up in areas like tech, AI, health tech, marketing, journalism, or consulting. You work closely with a manager and a Ladder Coach on real projects and present your work to the company. Most start-ups in the program are growing quickly and have raised over a million dollars. The virtual internship usually lasts eight weeks. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: A stipend of $7000 is provided, plus free housing and paid travel
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 6 (11:59 PM EST)
Eligibility: Undergrad students who will still be enrolled in Fall, U.S. citizens or permanent residents; students from two- or four-year institutions majoring in STEM fields are encouraged to apply
If you join the RIOS program at Rutgers, you’ll spend your summer doing real ocean science research with top scientists. You’ll learn how to ask research questions, write proposals, collect and analyze data, and share your findings. You’ll work on a project that matters, and by the end, you’ll know how to explain your work like a scientist. You also get to meet people in the field, build your network, and figure out if ocean science is something you want to pursue in college or grad school.
Location: Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), Gloucester Point, VA
Cost: A stipend of $7166 is provided, plus free housing and paid travel
Dates: May 27 – August 2 (dorms open May 25, close August 2)
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; rising juniors and seniors preferred, rising sophomores with strong STEM backgrounds considered
The Virginia Institute of Marine Science Summer Intern Program is a full-time research experience where you explore marine science through your own project. You’ll work with a mentor and a research team to develop a research idea, write a short prospectus, carry out your study, and present your findings to the VIMS community. You can focus on areas like marine biology, oceanography, fisheries, environmental science, or resource management. Along the way, you’ll learn how to design experiments, collect and analyze data, and communicate your results.
Location: University of Delaware, Lewes Campus, DE
Cost: A stipend of $7750 is provided, plus free housing and travel assistance
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; students from community colleges and institutions with limited research opportunities are encouraged to apply
The University of Delaware Marine Sciences Summer Program is a full-time research experience where you explore oceanography, marine biology, or coastal geosciences. You’ll work with a faculty mentor to choose a project, design your study, collect and analyze data, and present your results. You’ll also attend weekly seminars, go on field trips to coastal environments, and join professional development sessions that help you grow as a scientist. This is a great chance to build research skills, discover what topics interest you most, and connect with professors and other students who share your passion for marine science.
Location: University of Washington Friday Harbor Laboratories, San Juan Islands, WA
Cost: A stipend is provided, plus free housing, meals, and travel support
Dates: June 15 – August 9
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Current undergraduate or post-baccalaureate students who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents
The Friday Harbor Laboratories REU-Blinks Summer Internship Program is a hands-on research experience hosted by the University of Washington. You’ll live and work at a marine research station on a biodiverse island, where you’ll be matched one-on-one with a scientist mentor to explore topics like marine biology, ecology, and conservation. You’ll learn how to design and carry out research, collect and analyze data, and understand both the theory and practice behind marine science. You’ll also take part in field work, workshops, and seminars, and have lots of chances to connect with mentors and other students.
Location: Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR
Cost: A stipend of $630/week is provided, plus free housing and paid travel
Dates: June 16 – August 23
Application Deadline: February 17 (5 PM PST or until filled)
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in college with a minimum of one term remaining after the summer toward a bachelor’s degree; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Oregon State University HMSC Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) is a paid summer internship where you apply what you’ve learned in school to real-world research in marine and estuarine sciences. If you’re studying biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, environmental science, math, computer science, or engineering, this program gives you a chance to dive into fieldwork and lab research. You’ll collect and analyze data, learn advanced scientific methods, and work closely with mentors and other students. There are also group field trips and social events, so you can connect with peers and build your network.
Location: Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, Charleston, OR
Cost: A stipend of $600/week is provided, plus free room, board, and paid travel
Dates: June 24 – August 23
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents attending a 2-year or 4-year undergraduate program; must have completed introductory biology (one course for 2-year students, one year for 4-year students)
The Oregon Institute of Marine Biology Exploration of Marine Biology on the Oregon Coast (EMBOC) is a full-time summer research program where you live and work in Charleston, Oregon. You’ll explore marine biology through hands-on fieldwork, lab research, and close mentorship from scientists. You’ll learn how to collect and analyze data, design experiments, and understand marine ecosystems. The program helps you build research skills, figure out what topics excite you, and connect with mentors and other students who share your interests.
Location: Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX
Cost: A stipend of $700/week is provided, plus free housing and travel support
Dates: May 26 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled in an undergraduate program who will not graduate before Fall
The Texas A&M University REU: Observing the Ocean is a summer research program where you join a small cohort of students to explore ocean science through hands-on fieldwork and lab research. You’ll work with faculty mentors on projects focused on topics like hypoxia, harmful algae, contaminants, nutrients, and ocean modeling. You’ll take part in a 3-day research trip, possibly to the Gulf of Mexico, where you’ll collect data and learn how oceanographers study complex environmental problems.
Location: Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA
Cost: A stipend of ~$7000 is provided, plus free room and board
Dates: June 15 – August 15
Application Deadline: February 15 (priority), March 10 (final, if space remains)
Eligibility: Students who are enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a bachelor’s degree; U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents
The Marine Biological Laboratory NSF REU at Woods Hole is a full-time summer research program where you join a scientist’s lab and work on a real biology project. You’ll be guided by experts in fields like molecular and cell biology, neurobiology, physiology, developmental biology, and evolutionary biology. You’ll spend the summer doing hands-on lab work, using real scientific tools, analyzing data, and learning how research is done in practice. You’ll also go on field trips, join group activities, and connect with other students through events like barbecues.
Location: University of Rhode Island Bay Campus, Narragansett, RI
Cost: A stipend of $600/week is provided, plus free housing, travel, meals, and campus benefits
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 7
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents
The University of Rhode Island Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships in Oceanography (SURFO) is a multi-week research program for students studying math, science, or engineering. It starts with a week of orientation and training, where you’ll learn the basics of oceanographic research and get ready for your project. After that, you’ll dive into lab and field work, working closely with mentors and learning how to collect and analyze data. One highlight is a research cruise on Narragansett Bay, where you’ll experience ocean science in action.
Location: Darling Marine Center, Walpole, ME
Cost: Stipends vary by project; housing is often provided, with possible meal or travel support
Dates: 10 weeks from mid-May to mid-August
Application Deadline: February 15 (positions posted February–April)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students currently enrolled in a degree program; students may pursue research in marine biology, ecology, oceanography, conservation, aquaculture, or related fields
The University of Maine Darling Marine Center Summer Internships is a 10–12 week program where you live and work at a coastal research center, exploring topics like marine biology, ecology, oceanography, conservation, fisheries, and aquaculture. You’ll work closely with scientists, design your own project, and learn how to collect data, analyze results, and communicate your findings. Because of its length and depth, this internship can count as your undergraduate capstone or honors thesis. You’ll build research skills, figure out what areas of marine science excite you most, and connect with mentors and other students.
Location: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD
Cost: A stipend of $625/week is provided, plus free housing and travel support
Dates: Late May – Early August (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Typically February 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; students from underrepresented groups and non-research institutions are encouraged to apply
The Smithsonian’s Summer REU at SERC is an eight-week research program where you explore coastal and marine environmental science. You’ll work on projects in areas like conservation ecology, marine disease, fisheries, and biogeochemistry. You’ll learn how to collect data, analyze results, and communicate your findings clearly. You also get to try science writing and community-based research, attend seminars and professional development workshops, and present your work to the SERC community at the end.
Location: Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL
Cost: A stipend of $600/week is provided, plus free housing, meals, and travel support
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Undergraduate students rising to their sophomore, junior, or senior years who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab REU is a 10-week summer research program for students who want to explore careers in marine science. You’ll work on your own research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor, learning how to ask scientific questions, collect and analyze data, and share your findings. You’ll gain hands-on experience in field and lab sampling, necropsy, molecular and genomic techniques, statistics, and science communication. You’ll also learn how to work both independently and as part of a research team. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work at a poster symposium.
Location: Various locations, including NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring, MD, partner institutions, and virtual placements
Cost: A stipend of $600/week is provided, plus travel support (no housing provided)
Dates: Late May – Early August (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens and rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors
The NOAA Ocean Explorer-in-Training Program is a hands-on internship where you dive into marine biology and ocean technology. You’ll work on expedition-based or lab-based projects, learning how scientists explore the ocean and develop new tools to study it. Depending on your placement, you might collect and analyze data, work with eDNA, help map the ocean floor, or even join fieldwork on ships or marine platforms. You’ll explore themes like Emerging Technologies, Maritime Communications, and Ocean Mapping, gaining skills in research, teamwork, and science communication.
Location: Newport, OR (and other coastal sites across Oregon)
Cost: A stipend of $700/week is provided, plus housing assistance and travel reimbursement
Dates: June 16 – August 22
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Open to current OSU and Oregon Community College students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; must be enrolled in at least 6 credits in Spring and Fall, and no more than 5 credits in Summer
The MACO Internship Program in Oregon is a full-time summer opportunity where you explore marine conservation, fisheries restoration, and public outreach. You’ll work 40 hours a week at one of several host sites, like the Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon Coast Aquarium, or the MidCoast Watersheds Council. During the internship, you’ll take part in lab work and field trips, learn how to write project plans, create posters, and prepare presentations. You’ll build skills in research, teamwork, and science communication. At the end, you’ll present your work at the Coastal Internship Symposium.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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