Opportunities
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.
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
- Climate Reality Project: Youth Programs Internship
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Internships
- Turtle Island Restoration Network Residential Internships
- Marine Conservation Institute Internships
Connecticut
- Project Oceanology: Residential Marine Science Education Internship (June 17-August 16, 2024)
Delaware
- Delaware Center for the Inland Bays: Environmental Education Intern (May 28-August 30)
Florida
- Reef Relief Coral Camp Internship (end of May-mid-August)
- Tampa Bay Watch Internships
- The Florida Aquarium Internships
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium Internships
- Marine Discovery Center: Jobs & Internships
- Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center Internships
- Loggerhead Marinelife Center Internships
- Coral Restoration Foundation: Coral Conservation and Reef Restoration Internship
Maine
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Washington
Washington, DC
- Oceana: Policy Intern
- White House Council on Environmental Quality Internship (Spring, Summer, Fall)
United States
- Hazel M. Johnson Fellows provides mentorship, networking opportunities, and stipends for early-career self-identified Black women or gender-expansive persons who are aspiring climate and environmental professionals in the U.S. – Deadline: March 29
- Peace Boat US Summer Internship – Deadline: May 15
- Student Conservation Association Internships
- NOAA Sea Grant: Community Engaged Internship for Undergraduate Students – Deadline: Varies
- 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 Society and The Nature Conservancy: Marine and Community Conservation Externship – Deadline: May 6
- Energy Innovation Capital: VC Industry Research & Data Analytics Remote Externship (Remote) – Rolling Deadline
- 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
Florida
Massachusetts
- Ocean STEAM Powered Women Fellowship (August 11-17), a competitive, no-cost, residential fellowship for young women currently in their sophomore or junior year of high school, where they will investigate marine mammal bioacoustics while meeting female Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics professionals – Deadline: April 4
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
- Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences’ Summer Courses – Deadline: April 30
- 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
Massachusetts
- Ocean STEAM Powered Women Fellowship (August 11-17), a competitive, no-cost, residential fellowship for young women currently in their sophomore or junior year of high school, where they will investigate marine mammal bioacoustics while meeting female Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics professionals – Deadline: April 4
- 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
Washington
- Deep Green Wilderness Summer Voyages: The Orca Project (June 23-July 6)
- Deep Green Wilderness Summer Voyages: Wild Whales (July 21-August 10)
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
- 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!
Contests, Grants & Scholarships
United States
- Greater Atlantic Region’s Marine Endangered Species Art Contest – Deadline: April 22
- Shane McConkey EcoChallenge empowers young people to learn about environmental issues in their community, engage in critical thinking to identify innovative solutions, and take action as EcoChallengers for the planet – Deadline: April 22
- 3M Young Scientist Challenge gives students in grades 5–8 the chance to change their world for the better with a single innovative idea – Deadline: May 2
- Massachusetts Marine Educators & Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary: 2024 Marine Art Contest – Deadline: May 10
- Environmental and Climate Change Literacy Projects (ECCLP) & Change Narrative: Share Your California Climate Story, with the possibility of being featured in the ECCLP’s monthly newsletter
- 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
- North American Association for Environmental Education’s EE 30 Under 30 recognizes young people across the globe who are building a sustainable future through education – Deadline: March 25
- Generation of Environmental Leaders Program invites passionate North American youth ages 18-35 to submit innovative solutions to support their communities and preserve our shared waters, lands and air – Deadline: March 31
- Biomimicry Institute’s Youth Design Challenge inviteds middle and high school teams to design bio-inspired ideas that can provide solutions to critical real-world problems – Deadline: April 3
- Earth Island Institute: Brower Youth Awards for Environmental Leadership (North America) recognizes the outstanding leadership efforts of youth ages 13 to 22; winners receive a $3,000 cash prize, a short film produced about their work, and flight and lodging accommodations for a week-long trip to the San Francisco Bay Area, where they will participate in leadership activities and professional development workshops – Deadline: April 8
- Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes – Celebrates inspiring young people in North America ages 8-18 who have made a significant positive impact on people, their communities, and the environment – Deadline: April 15
- Algalita’s Student Mini-Grants support students globally (ages 11-25) with financial support for their project, internship, or education connected to addressing the plastic crisis and adjacent environmental issues – Deadline: April 15
- 2024 OurEcho Challenge empowers young changemakers in the United States and United Kingdom to take a closer look at biodiversity in their communities, identify threats to local ecosystems, and submit an idea to help protect and restore those natural resources – Deadline: April 26
- The Iris Prize – The Iris Prize acknowledges youth ages 14-24 implementing diverse approaches to nature restoration, embracing both traditional stewardship and innovative technologies – Deadline: April 30
- Navigating the Future of Safety and Sustainability Art Contest (Americas) – Deadline: May 3
- Ocean Wise: Ocean Action Grant (Canada) will provide 150 youth with funding to lead a project that contributes to positive change for the environment – Deadline: Rolling
- Children & Nature Network: Youth Outdoor Equity Leadership Fund (North America) invites young leaders between 16-30 to request up to $500 to increase their personal growth as a leader in the conservation field or to implement projects that create change in equitable access to nature, community health and well being, and justice – Deadline: Rolling
- 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
- High Seas Youth Ambassador Program provides paid Ambassador experience sto six youth ocean advocates ages 17-22 in strategic locations around the world (Asia, Africa, Latin America, Pacific) to plan and execute innovative campaigns that build the public and political momentum needed to advance High Seas Treaty ratification – Deadline: March 27
- Hazel M. Johnson Fellows provides mentorship, networking opportunities, and stipends for early-career self-identified Black women or gender-expansive persons who are aspiring climate and environmental professionals in the U.S. – Deadline: March 29
- Generation of Environmental Leaders Program invites passionate North American youth ages 18-35 to submit innovative solutions to support their communities and preserve our shared waters, lands and air – Deadline: March 31
- Dallas (TX) Environmental Youth Advisory Council, an initiative that aims to empower and mobilize youth to take proactive steps towards environmental sustainability within the governmental sector
- GenSea, a global community of young ocean advocates united for networking, learning, and collective action to protect and restore our ocean planet.
- 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.
- Girls Rock in Science and Math (GRISM), an organization that teaches girls in 3rd-5th grade about STEM topics, is looking for high school girls who are interested in starting a chapter in their area.
Youth Art & Writing Communities