Opportunities
Student Artist: Yoonji Lim
One of the most common questions we are asked by our alumni and students is: How can I stay involved? This space is an evolving answer to that question, and provides opportunities for you to dive deeper into ocean science and conservation, connect with other young creatives and activists, and showcase your research or campaign at global events.
Student Artist: Yoonji Lim
EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES* 🔎
*This list is by no means exhaustive; you should explore opportunities at your local aquariums, science centers, community arts organizations, and universities.
Have a resource or event to share? Contact us.
Volunteer, Internship & Employment Opportunities
COLLEGE STUDENTS +
California
- California State University, Monterey Bay: Regional Ocean Science Research Experiences for Undergraduates (June 4-August 12) – Deadline: February 14
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Internships
- Turtle Island Restoration Network Residential Internships
- Marine Conservation Institute Internships
Florida
- REEF Summer 2023 Marine Conservation Internship (May 30-August 11) – Deadline: March 12
- Reef Relief: Coral Camp Summer Internship (End of May-mid-August)
- von Arx Wildlife Hospital: Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship
- Marine Discovery Center: Jobs & Internships
- Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center Internships
- Loggerhead Marinelife Center Internships
- Coral Restoration Foundation: Coral Conservation and Reef Restoration Internship
Louisiana
- Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium: Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Summer Positions (June 5-August 11) – Deadline: February 25
Maine
- University of Maine Aquaculture Research Institute: Summer Externship – Deadline: February 1
Maryland
- Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve: Summer Conservation Intern – Deadline: February 17
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center: Technology in Ecology Internship – Deadline: Open until filled
Massachusetts
- Center for Coastal Studies: 2023 Summer Educational Internship – Deadline: March 10
- New England Aquarium Internships
Rhode Island
Washington
Washington, DC
- Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship – Deadline: February 16
- Oceana: Policy Intern
- White House Council on Environmental Quality Internship (Spring, Summer, Fall)
United States
- NOAA Sea Grant: Community Engaged Internship for Undergraduate Students – Deadline: Varies
- Alliance for Climate Education Influencer Campaign – Pays cash to content creators on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube who are ready to engage their audience in tackling the climate crisis
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Citizen Science Volunteer Opportunities
- NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries: Destination Marketing/Communications for Ocean Recreation & Tourism Volunteer Internship (Remote)
- Plastic Tides Internships (Remote)
- This is Zero Hour: Social Media Team
International
- National Geographic and The Nature Conservancy: Freshwater and Community Conservation Remote Externship – Deadline: February 20
- Greenpeace USA Strategy Analysis Remote Externship
- Thriving Corals offers opportunities for students to switch roles with teachers and design classes themselves; internships available in education, writing, communication, and online course development
- Indo Ocean Project Internships (Indonesia)
- Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation Internships (Greece)
MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
United States
- This is Zero Hour: Social Media Team
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Citizen Science Volunteer Opportunities
International
- Thriving Corals offers opportunities for students to switch roles with teachers and design classes themselves; internships available in education, writing, communication, and online course development
Educational Opportunities: Beyond the Classroom
COLLEGE STUDENTS +
International
- Ocean S.T.E.A.M. High School Career and Exploration Development (Canada)
- The School for Field Studies: Environmental Study Abroad Programs
- Cape Eleuthera Institute: Gap Year (Bahamas)
MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Florida
- Florida Marine Ecology Expedition (June 20-30)
Massachusetts
- Ocean Protection Advocacy Kids: The Blue Crew, a virtual club, where students in grades 5-8 with a passion for the ocean to come together to learn about marine science
International
- The Island School: Fall, Spring, or Summer Academic Terms (South Eleuthera, Bahamas)
- Marine Science & Nautical Training Academy: Field Studies in Coral Reef Biology (British Virgin Islands)
Campaigns, Conferences & Events
International
- Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (February 3-9; Vancouver, Canada, and virtual) – A global forum that brings together ocean conservation professionals and high-level officials to inform, inspire, and act on marine protected areas
- AdvocaSEA Workshop: Climate Storytelling (February 22, 8 p.m. ET) – Develop your voice in climate storytelling, gain strategies in science communication, and connect with various audiences to inspire action
- Webinar: A New Toolkit for Engaging Youth in Ocean Health and Conservation (March 15, 1 p.m. ET) – With support from The Ocean Foundation and National Geographic Society, a group of youth have created a toolkit that provides examples of how their peers can take action to conserve their ocean. This webinar will provide an overview of the content and techniques to engage and empower young people around the world.
- International Coastal Cleanup – Clean up your local beach, stream, park, or neighborhood, while recording what you find to help inform research and legislation across the world
- Reef Environmental Education Foundation’s Conservation Challenge – Complete conservation-oriented challenges to earn exclusive stickers—badges of honor for completing each challenge. Jump into citizen science, meet other fish geeks, and have fun learning about ocean life!
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Contests, Grants & Scholarships
United States
- 2023 Scholastic Awards, the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in grades 7-12 – Deadline: varies between December and January, depending on your region
- U.S. Global Change Research Program: Art x Climate – Youth Call – Deadline: January 27
- NOAA Office of Education’s Student Scholarship Programs – Deadline: January 31
- U.S. Global Change Research Program: Art x Climate Call for Artists (Ages 13-17) – Deadline: January 27
- California Coastal Commission: K-12 Coastal Art & Poetry Contest – Deadline: January 31
- California Coastal Commission: Climate Video Challenge – Deadline: May 31
- KQED Learn: Science Documentary Media Challenge – Deadline: June
- BoatUS Foundation Grassrooots Grants Program provides grants to nonprofit organizations, boating clubs, and student groups for projects that promote safe and/or clean boating
- 53-Word Story Contest – Deadline: 21st day of each month
- National Ocean Sciences Bowl
International
- National Geographic Society Slingshot Challenge challenges 13-18 year olds to create a one-minute video with their solution to our current environmental problems – Deadline: February 24
- 2023 International Young Eco-Hero Awards – Deadline: February 28
- OurEcho Challenge STEM Competition (U.S. and UK) – Students will identify threats to local ecosystems and propose solutions to help preserve, protect, or repair those natural resources – Deadline: March 3
- 2023 Science Without Borders Art Challenge: “The Sixth Extinction” – Deadline: March 6
- Preventing Marine Pollution K-12 Art Contest (North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean) – Deadline: April 1
- Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award honors filmmakers whose stories honor people working to protect the world’s oceans – Deadline: Ongoing
- Breakout Film Festival: Monthly Short Film Contest – Deadline: Last day of each month
- MY HERO Contests: Opportunities to share your art, poems, films, songs, or stories about a hero with a global community – Various Deadlines
- Something or Other Publishing: Open call for short story submissions
- Youth Service America: Everyday Young Hero
- Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Youth-Led Initiatives & Leadership Opportunities
- Conservation Science Intensive Summer Program for High-School Aged Young Women (July 5-9) – Deadline: February 22
- GenSea, a global community of young ocean advocates united for networking, learning, and collective action to protect and restore our ocean planet.
- EarthEcho International: Ocean Echo 30×30 – Host an educational event in your community to join other youth from around the world in helping to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 through education/outreach, coastal habitat restoration, and policy action.
- MobilizeGreen Youth Conservation Programs offer paid work opportunities for diverse high school students to build leadership confidence, learn new outdoor skills, and make a real difference to the world.
- Society for Women in Marine Science (SWMS) Mentorship Program pairs high school and undergraduate students with SWMS members to guide them in academic and career decisions.
- The Colorization Collective – This youth-led group assists teen artists of color by providing participants with resources and a community of peers and mentors who look like them and share their experiences, with the goal of creating and promoting diversity in the art world through inclusive and accessible means. Check out their outreach and mentorship opportunities!
- FXB Climate Advocates – Join a group of young people who are passionate and committed to climate change: engage with peers, interact with activists, and launch individual or joint advocacy projects.
- Our Climate: “Put a Price On It” Action Team – Join a network of volunteers who are working to advocate for fair and effective carbon pricing policy. You’ll be added to the listserv for occasional updates, included in the Facebook group, and have the opportunity to work on the most important climate fight of our time.
- Project Green Schools: Youth Leadership Council – National Youth Council students are difference-makers who are invited to participate in important environmental regional, national, and world events.
- SEVENSEAS Media University Student Ocean Ambassadors – One ambassador (or team of ambassadors) per university will be responsible for hosting an ocean-themed event on campus each month to spread the word about ocean conservation and sustainable tourism.
- Sunrise Movement – A movement to stop climate change and create millions of good jobs in the process.
- Survey for the House Select Committee on Climate Crisis – Schools for Climate Action and the National Children’s Campaign are working with the House Select Committee on Climate Crisis to collect data and stories from youth climate activists.
- Sustainable Ocean Alliance’s Ocean Leadership Program – Be part of one of the world’s largest network of ocean advocates, joining forces with young leaders taking action in over 140 countries.
- ThinkOcean: Upper Leadership Team – ThinkOcean is an international network of young environmentalists that has more than 40 chapters in 8 different countries. It is searching for college and high school students with a passion for the environment to help organize initiatives such as legislative lobbying, grassroots organizing, awareness campaigns, and hands-on conservation initiatives. Read more about its work and fill out this form to apply.
- US Youth Climate Strike State Lead – Become a State Lead to help build the people power needed to stop climate change by being part of the grassroots movement taking on the fossil fuel industry.
- Zero Hour: Education Campaign Ambassador – Spread the word of Zero Hour and its work around climate and environmental justice in your communities and in your schools.
Youth Art & Writing Communities
