Student Opportunities
Whether you’re just beginning to explore your interests or are ready to dive into hands-on experience, NOAA Ocean Exploration and our partners offer a wide range of opportunities to help students build skills, gain experience, and explore career paths in ocean science and exploration.
Explorer-in-Training Program
The Explorer-in-Training Program is NOAA Ocean Exploration’s flagship student opportunity. This program provides students with hands-on opportunities in ocean mapping, exploration, data analysis, and science communication — both onshore and at sea aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. This opportunity is open to undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates; U.S. citizenship required.
Learn about the experiences of previous Explorers-in-Training and other NOAA Ocean Exploration interns on our Previous Student Explorers page.
Other NOAA Student Opportunities
NOAA offers a variety of internships, fellowships, scholarships, and other programs that connect students with NOAA scientists and mentors across many disciplines and geographic locations. NOAA provides a searchable list of opportunities across NOAA’s mission areas, with options for learners at all levels (K-12, undergraduate, graduate, and recent graduates), ranging from one-day events to summer internships, multi-year fellowships, and more. Visit the NOAA Student Opportunities Database to explore all opportunities, or browse the curated list below highlighting programs through which NOAA Ocean Exploration regularly hosts students.
Student At-Sea Opportunities
Gain firsthand experience conducting ocean research and exploration at sea. These programs place students aboard active research vessels to learn, collaborate, and contribute to ongoing expeditions.
- Ocean Exploration Trust Science & Engineering Internship Program
- OceanX Leadership Immersions
- University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) Cruise Opportunity Program
- UNOLS-MATE Marine Technical Internship Program
- U.S. GO-SHIP Cruises
- STEM Student Experiences Aboard Ships (STEMSEAS)
Other Internships, Fellowships, and Scholarships
Looking for more opportunities? Explore additional programs offered by NOAA partners, academic institutions, and federal agencies that support education, research, and early-career development in ocean science, technology, and policy. Additional opportunities are posted through various job boards listed on our Job Seekers page.
- NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute
- University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Undergraduate Opportunities
- NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowships Program (GRFP)
- Woods Hole Partnership Education Program (PEP)
- Pathways Summer Internship Program
- Pathways Recent Graduate Program
- Department of Defense SkillBridge Program
- Virtual Student Federal Service Internships
- AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships
- Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program
Student Science Competitions
Showcase your creativity and problem-solving skills through competitions that challenge students to design, innovate, and explore technologies supporting ocean science and exploration. These external opportunities are available for participants at every level, from K-12 to undergraduate and graduate students.
Questions and Contact
For internship, career, and student opportunities inquiries, contact the Internship Coordinator at oer.internships@noaa.gov. For general questions or more information about NOAA Ocean Exploration, email oceanexplorer@noaa.gov.