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Explorer-in-Training Program

As part of its mission to train the next generation of ocean explorers, scientists, engineers, and communicators, NOAA Ocean Exploration hosts students in the Explorer-in-Training Program. These interns gain valuable, interdisciplinary experience in ocean exploration while collaborating on office projects and expeditions. Explorer-in-Training internships enable students to increase their competitiveness for educational and career opportunities in ocean-related fields.

The 2022 Explorer-in-Training application is now open! Applications are due February 5 (2-4 week expedition-based opportunities) or February 15 (10-week internship program). Learn more about eligibility requirements and application instructions.

Standing Watch: Explorers in Training Laura Almodovar, Victoria Dickey, and Kelsey Lane standing mapping watch at the University of New Hampshire Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center. Image Credits: CCOM

Standing Watch: Explorers-in-training Laura Almodovar, Victoria Dickey, and Kelsey Lane standing mapping watch at the University of New Hampshire Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center. Image courtesy of CCOM. Download larger version (jpg, 2.8 MB).

NOAA Ocean Exploration provides the nation with unparalleled capacity to discover and investigate new oceanic regions and phenomena, conduct the basic research required to document discoveries, and seamlessly disseminate data and information-rich products to a multitude of users. We strive to provide resources, develop technological solutions, and innovate applications to address critical problems in undersea exploration. A fundamental part of our mission is the engagement of the marine science community and the general public and the training of the next generation of explorers.

The 2000 President’s Panel on Ocean Exploration Report, “Discovering Earth’s Final Frontier: A U.S. Strategy for Ocean Exploration,” calls for a national ocean exploration program to “train the next generation of ocean explorers." One of the many ways that NOAA Ocean Exploration addresses this goal is through a partnership with the Cooperative Program for the Advancement of Earth System Science (CPAESS), a community program of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), to coordinate opportunities for students to gain valuable experience in ocean exploration.

One of the ways that we accomplish our goals is through exploration on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer—the nation’s only federal vessel dedicated to ocean exploration. The ship is equipped with advanced tools that support systematic exploration of unknown ocean regions. High-resolution sonars, deepwater remotely operated vehicles, and telepresence technology are used to collect baseline information in unexplored areas. Real-time virtual collaboration with scientists and other experts around the world enables rapid dissemination of information-rich products to the scientific community, allowing them to directly participate in expeditions, even from shore. Telepresence ensures that data from new discoveries are available almost immediately to experts in relevant disciplines for further analysis and research. We also support deep-ocean exploration expeditions through a competitive grants program and by partnering with a wide range of organizations. This combination of onshore and offshore efforts allows us to maximize our capacity for exploration and discovery.

About the Explorer-in-Training Program

A 245 km long section of Horizon Tablemount mapped during strategic Transits of four cruises. Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research.

A 245-kilometer-long section of Horizon Tablemount mapped during strategic transits of four cruises. Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research. Download image (jpg, 255 KB).

Since 2009, CPAESS/UCAR and NOAA Ocean Exploration have hosted over 135 explorers-in-training. For many, this first experiential opportunity was invaluable in subsequent academic and career pursuits. We continue to seek opportunities to work with external groups to train the next generation of explorers.

The Explorer-in-Training Program equips students with skills to meet the current and future demands of the ocean exploration workforce, providing meaningful experiential learning opportunities that support NOAA Ocean Exploration’s mission and inspire ocean literacy for the next generation. The program features two internship options: (a) 2 to 4-week expedition-based opportunities (Hydrography & Seafloor Mapping) and (b) 10-week summertime opportunities (Exploration Education, Media, & Science Communication). The 10-week internships give students an experiential opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge through long-term projects supported by NOAA Ocean Exploration mentors. The 2 to 4-week expedition-based internships involve providing support for specific NOAA Ocean Exploration-supported expeditions, giving students the chance to contribute to mission efforts while gaining tangible skills that benefit their future pursuits. For 2022, both 10-week summer internships and 2 to 4-week expedition-based opportunities are available for application.

The Explorer-in-Training Program offers multiple internship themes to reflect NOAA Ocean Exploration’s diverse expertise, work products, and services. These themes are designed to be interdisciplinary and reflect the office’s main focus areas while providing training in critical ocean exploration mission fields. Available 2022 Program themes include:

  • Hydrography and Seafloor Mapping (Offshore, expedition-based, 2-4 week internship): Mapping the seafloor via NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is an integral part of NOAA Ocean Exploration’s mission, providing critical bathymetric data needed to characterize previously unexplored areas. Students in this internship theme will work on projects related to multibeam sonar and sound velocity profile data acquisition and processing with support from our experienced mapping team. These interns will gain tangible skills in the use of geographic information system (GIS) software, hydrographic processing and display software, and data management.
  • Exploration Education, Media, and Science Communication (Shore-based, 10-week summer internship): NOAA Ocean Exploration strives to engage stakeholders and improve ocean literacy of learners of all ages through our educational programs. To achieve our mission of community-driven exploration, we employ a suite of communication strategies and media tools that bring our discoveries to the public. Interns will work on cross-disciplinary projects to gain experience in scientific communication, ocean education programming, and the use of multimedia products such as images and videos.

Eligibility & Application Requirements

The 2022 Explorer-in-Training application is now open! Please see below for eligibility requirements and application instructions.

Eligibility

  • U.S. citizenship
  • Currently enrolled students (undergraduate or graduate) or students who have already graduated, but whose graduation date is within a year of the application date (i.e., “gap-year students” or recent graduates); students must be enrolled in or have received a degree from an accredited academic institution within the United States or its territories
  • Degree, major, or intent to major in a field relevant to NOAA Ocean Exploration’s mission; these can include, but are not limited to: STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields, social sciences, communications, education, business operations/administration, and ocean policy/management
  • Willingness to learn and follow NOAA Ocean Exploration’s office and shipboard standard operating procedures

Application Requirements

This year, the Explorer-in-Training Program will feature two internship options: (a) 2 to 4-week expedition-based opportunities (Hydrography & Seafloor Mapping) and (b) 10-week summertime opportunities (Exploration Education, Media, & Science Communication). The 10-week internships give students an experiential opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge through long-term projects supported by NOAA Ocean Exploration mentors. The 2 to 4-week expedition-based internships involve providing support for specific NOAA Ocean Exploration-supported expeditions, giving students the chance to contribute to mission efforts while gaining tangible skills that benefit their future pursuits. Applicants may apply for both internship options via a single application form.

  • Submission of online application form 
  • Short answer response to each of the following prompts:
    1. What attracts you to ocean exploration? (250 words or less; this question is required)
    2. What are your expectations for an Explorer-in-Training internship? What skills and/or experience are you hoping to gain to advance your future career goals? (500 words total; this question is required; if you are applying for both the 10-week summer internship and the 2-4 expedition-based hydrography/seafloor mapping opportunities, please address your expectations for both of those programs here)
    3. Is there anything else about yourself/your experience that you feel is important and would like to share? (500 words or less; this question is optional)
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae ((Note: if you have never created a 2-page CV before, here is some guidance from the National Science Foundation: https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/biosketch.jsp )
  • Contact information for at least one academic (professor, advisor, teacher, etc.) and one character reference (community member, work supervisor, mentor, etc.). These references should be able to speak to your character and your professional and/or academic background.

Please ask your references for permission to include their information before final submission of your application. Your references will be contacted by email and asked to schedule a short phone call with a NOAA Ocean Exploration team member. If your reference is unable to schedule a phone call, they will be able to complete a form with a few short questions.

Please compile short answer question responses and resume/CV into a single PDF and send it to oer.explorerintraining@noaa.gov. If you have any questions, need guidance, or experience technical difficulties, please contact NOAA Ocean Exploration’s internship program coordinator at oer.internships@noaa.gov.

Additional Information

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The Explorer-in-Training Program strives to foster an inclusive environment for all, viewing our unique differences not as a barrier, but as a necessity for progress toward our shared goals of exploration and discovery. NOAA Ocean Exploration seeks to involve students from groups that are historically underrepresented in ocean exploration, including Black or African-American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic or Latino, female, first-generation college students, veterans, and students with disabilities. The Explorer-in-Training Program welcomes students of all sexual and gender identities, students who have experienced educational or economic disadvantages, and/or have circumstances that may complicate their professional development progress. To ensure sustainability of this commitment, we accept and value feedback from our interns and apply it to ongoing efforts to make Explorer-in-Training a model of excellence for diversity, equity, and inclusion.