Link to application is here. Timeline: June 16 – August 22nd. 40-hours/week. Stipend for 10 week program: $6,400. Application deadline: February 17, 2025.
Purpose
To contribute to a diverse ocean workforce that understands technical and social challenges facing coastal communities and the natural environment and prepare undergraduate students for graduate school and careers in marine science, policy, management and outreach.
Oregon Sea Grant is excited to announce our 15th annual undergraduate Summer Scholars Program
This PAID ten-week program runs from June 16 – August 22nd and places a diversity* of undergraduate students from around the country with a variety of Oregon-based host organizations (Tribal, public agency, non-profit, non-governmental) to provide students with hands-on experience under the mentorship of a career professional. Scholars can assist host agencies with field work, lab work, analyses, research, policy development and/or outreach and public engagement efforts.
*Diversity refers to persons from various cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds who contribute perspectives stemming from their lived experiences, skills and interests.
In addition to aligning with Oregon Sea Grant’s vision, mission and values, the goals of the Oregon Sea Grant Scholars Program are:
- Prepare students for graduate school and/or careers in marine science, policy, management and outreach through funding support and hands on experience.
- Support host organization program initiatives and facilitate scholars’ understanding of their work’s importance in accomplishing the broader host organization goals.
- Promote integration of diverse perspectives into problem solving for coastal Oregon to provide richer and more inclusive solutions.
The Summer Scholars Program encourages student success during and after their internship through cultivating an inclusive environment, creating a broad professional network in the marine field, offering professional development opportunities with an emphasis on science communication and fostering a supportive mentor/mentee relationship.
In 2025, the Oregon Sea Grant Summer Scholars may participate in some activities of the National Sea Grant Community Engaged Internship Program, which is designed for undergraduate students from underrepresented and indigenous communities. The overarching goal of this internship program is to broaden participation in marine and coastal professions by providing training and mentorship to the next generation of scientists, decision-makers and citizens
What to Expect – **the details below are subject to change**
Summer Scholar Expectations: Scholars will be placed with the Oregon Sea Grant Program, a federal or state agency, Tribal, or non-governmental organization, and will assist host agencies with field work, lab work, analyses, research, policy development and/or outreach and public engagement efforts. They will be assigned to a specific project under a mentor and will be expected to dedicate at least 40 hours a week to the program. The program will provide students with training on subjects such as ecosystem-based management, professional and scientific communication, field- and lab-based scientific methods, natural resource policy development, public outreach and roles of federal, state, Tribal and local governments in natural resource management. The program may include field trips within Oregon and an opportunity for students to present their summer work. Scholars will be expected to participate in all program activities and complete a final project report during the last week of their experience. Scholars will be expected to participate in the program in-person or remotely, depending on the requirements of their assigned position.
Eligibility: Any undergraduate student who is currently enrolled in any U.S. college or university (or who has graduated within one year prior to the application deadline of February 17, 2025) may apply. Students from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
Foreign nationals please note: while this opportunity is open to all eligible students regardless of nationality, some participating host offices are unable to accept international applicants. This may reduce the number of placement opportunities available to foreign nationals. Also, additional taxes may be applied to your stipend, depending on your country’s tax treaty with the U.S. Work authorization paperwork must be completed by students prior to the start date of the internship.
Important Dates
February 17 – Applications due by 11:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
March 3 – March 11 – Interviews with top candidates
March 12-14 – Notification of Awards and Placement
June 16 – Summer Scholars Program begins
Mid July (Week 5) – Mid-Summer check in with all Scholars
Mid July (date TBD) – Coastal Oregon camping trip (optional) – remote and in person Scholars are welcome
August 22 – Summer Scholars program ends
(note: CEI program activities may occur outside of these program dates)
Application Process
How to apply: Applications to Oregon Sea Grant are received through an online system called eSeaGrant. Complete the following account registration well before the February 17, 2025 application deadline, so that there is time for you to request assistance if needed. Please contact blaine.schoolfield@oregonstate.edu by February 12, 2025 if you need account registration assistance.
Create an account to access the fellowship application as follows:
- Go to eseagrant.oregonstate.edu
- Click the “REGISTER” tab on the top right corner of the login “box”.
- Follow the instructions—you will get two verification codes through the process. One by email and the other by phone.
- Once you create your account and log in, you should see the Summer Scholars application in the “Funding Opportunities” tab. Hit the “Add” button to get started.
- If you have any issues with this process, send an email to blaine.schoolfield@oregonstate.edu
All application materials (see Required Application Components below) should be uploaded to eSeaGrant AND submitted by February 17, 2025 at 11:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. While we encourage electronic submission of your application, if this is not a possibility, please contact blaine.schoolfield@oregonstate.edu by February 12, 2025 and we will provide accommodations.
Please note that your internship application must be your own original work. Submitting work that is not your own (including AI generated application materials) may result in disqualification from the application process. It is important that the materials you submit accurately reflect your own skills and experience.
If you require any accommodations during the application process, or for internship site placement, please feel free to reach out to Blaine Schoolfield at blaine.schoolfield@oregonstate.edu. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive environment and are happy to support you in any way we can.
Required Application Components:
A complete application will include the following 4 components. The résumé, answers to the questions, transcripts and reference information must be uploaded to eSeaGrant as one combined PDF in the order listed below:
- A one or two-page résumé describing your work and/or volunteer experience. Please use 12-point Times New Roman font and 1-inch margins. The résumé must include your name, contact information (including phone and email address), GPA and educational history. The résumé should also detail your work and volunteer history, particularly as it relates to the Summer Scholars opportunity. Certain host opportunities are only available to U.S. citizens. To help the selection committee identify eligibility, you may include your citizenship in your résumé. Indicating your citizenship is optional.
- Please answer each of the following questions in 250 words or less per question. Use 12-point Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins and 1.5-line spacing.
- Describe your personal/professional/academic background, including your experience related to this opportunity; your major and why you chose it.
- Why are you interested in marine science, policy, management and/or outreach?
- How will your prior experiences with people from various cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds contribute to your success in the Oregon Sea Grant Summer Scholars program?
- Describe your academic and professional goals, including your plans for the next academic year, or after graduation. Please include your graduation date or anticipated graduation date.
- How will this opportunity help you reach your academic and professional goals? Please indicate the 2-3 projects you are most interested in and why they would be great opportunities for you professionally. To see a list of host sites navigate to the “List of 2025 hosts, internship locations and projects” link on the Summer Scholars website.
- Unofficial transcripts showing all college-level education. Official transcripts will be requested at a later date if selected for an interview.
- Contact information (name, title, email and phone number) for three references. One should be someone who supervised you in a work or volunteer position and can describe your qualifications for the Summer Scholars Program. Another reference should be a college professor or advisor and focus on your academic journey. The third reference may be a professional contact of your choice. Best practice is to ask your references ahead of time and provide them with the details of this internship opportunity as well as your application materials.
Note: Please include only the required components in your application packet (i.e., do not include a cover letter, recommendations letters or photos). Failure to follow all guidelines may result in disqualification of your application. You will also be asked to indicate your top 2-3 positions and complete a brief (optional) demographics form in eSeaGrant before submitting your application.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by Oregon Sea Grant personnel and a small selection committee. Top candidates will be interviewed via video conference by the selection committee. Scholars will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Ability to articulate academic and professional goals, including alignment of goals with the Oregon Sea Grant Scholars Program
- Ability to articulate benefits derived from specific Oregon Sea Grant project opportunity(ies) and host location(s), and how the placement(s) will help you reach your goals
- Alignment of applicant interests, goals and skills with the needs of host agencies and mentors
- Commitment to advancing diverse perspectives in marine science, policy and outreach
- Academic, personal and work history and relevant coursework and extracurricular activities are in alignment with the applicant’s stated academic and professional goals
- Verbal communication skills, as demonstrated during the interview
Award
Summer Scholars will be awarded a $6,400 stipend to offset living expenses during the ten-week fellowship. If needed, student housing will be arranged by Oregon Sea Grant and provided at no cost to the student. A small number of need-based assistance grants may be available to offset travel expenses; these will require a supplemental application once students are selected.
Host Descriptions
Hosts and assignments change from year to year. 2025 host opportunities will be posted under the “List of 2025 hosts, internship locations and projects” link on the Summer Scholars webpage in late January, please check back then for site descriptions.
Contact Information
We strongly discourage potential applicants from contacting host agencies. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Oregon Sea Grant staff listed below.
For questions about the application process: Undergraduate Programs Coordinator: Blaine Schoolfield, blaine.schoolfield@oregonstate.edu
Additional contact: Associate Director for Research and Scholars Program: Sarah Kolesar, sarah.kolesar@oregonstate.edu