Summer Internship Programs

There are a great deal of summer research opportunities and internships for students at Oregon State University. Below are a list of marine and coastal related opportunities for students to pursue research during the summer. 

Reference Table of Research Experiences and Internships

If you're looking for other internships depending on graduate or undergraduate standing or different seasons offered, check out the table below to see other options and seasons of internships we have available!

Research Experiences and Internships Reference Table

University-Wide Programs

  • Description: Marine and Coastal Opportunities offers paid summer internships, focusing on interdisciplinary topics of the ocean and coasts. Our internships are with a variety of mentor organizations spanning the Oregon coastline.  

  • Undergraduate or Graduate: Undergrad 

  • Description: Each summer, Oregon State University offers paid research internships for undergraduate students funded by the National Science Foundation and hosted by the Hatfield Marine Science Center. This is an amazing opportunity to apply what you've learned in the classroom to real-world problems in marine and estuarine sciences. 

  • Undergraduate or Graduate: Undergrad

  • Description: 

    The Cooperative Institute for Marine Ecosystem and Resources Studies (CIMERS) is one of 16 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Institutes located in the United States. They conduct cutting-edge marine transdisciplinary research that supports NOAA's mission, goals and strategic initiatives while training the next generation of marine scientists to advance basic knowledge about ocean ecosystems.

    Their researchers and partners work from local to global scales on marine issues of emerging importance, such as the conservation of endangered species, maintaining sustainable commercial and recreational fishing stocks, and predicting and mitigating natural hazards. CIMERS convenes research partners from numerous disciplines and institutions - from nonprofits to industry to government - to address the most challenging and complex issues relating to the living and non-living components of our marine environment, using innovation to develop new tools and technologies.

  • Undergraduate or Graduate: Undergrad

  • Description:  The objective of the BES program is to enable undergraduates to gain experience in applied research, connect with the BES community, and explore career options in agriculture. Successful applicants will be expected to spend between 10-13 weeks at the BES location. Most opportunities are during summer term, however some take place during fall or winter. Some opportunities are located on the Oregon coast, but some are located elsewhere.

  • Undergraduate or Graduate: Undergrad

OSU College-Specific Programs

  • Description: OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine offers multiple research/internship programs with the ability for students to present their research and project results from summer programs at the college’s annual Research Day. Some opportunities are located at the coast, but most are located elsewhere. 

  • Undergraduate or Graduate: Both 

  • Description: The Vanguarding an Inclusive Ecological Workforce (VIEW) Fellowship, created and hosted by the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences (FWCS) at Oregon State University, is a summer research experience program that supports the professional development of future ecologists from communities that have been historically excluded or are currently underrepresented in our field. VIEW aims to support students without previous experience in this field. Some opportunities are located at the coast, but most are located elsewhere. 

  • Undergraduate or Graduate: Undergrad 

  • Description: The College of Science Summer Undergraduate Research Experience, known as SURE Science, offers scholarship support so students gain a stimulating research experience that enhances their academic experience. Take advantage of hundreds of summer research opportunities to work alongside faculty for an engaging, hands-on learning experience. All College of Science undergraduate students are welcome to apply.

  • Undergraduate or Graduate: Undergrad

  • Description: The SUGAR Program is a summer term opportunity for CoF undergraduate students to work with CoF graduate students. Work could include assistance with thesis, dissertation, capstone projects or other research projects (data collection, data analysis, data entry, laboratory work, and literature review). The College of Forestry provides a limited amount of funding to pay undergraduate hourly wages. Graduate students will also provide undergraduates with mentorship. Although this program is not specific to the Oregon coast, there may be some opportunities along the coast. See the program website for more information. 

  • Undergraduate or Graduate: Both 

Public Agency Hosted Programs

  • Description: The Hollings Scholarship Program provides successful undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance (up to $9,500 per year) for two years of full-time study and a 10-week, full-time paid ($700/week) internship at a NOAA facility during the summer. 

  • Undergraduate or Graduate: Undergrad

  • Description: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife paid internships provide practical on-the-job training experience related to wildlife management, data collection, habitat restoration, and wildlife monitoring. The benefit of these opportunities is to recruit and train potential employees seeking careers in wildlife management, research and conservation and develop a great knowledge base of wildlife in Oregon and are expected to gain the ability to develop and refine academic and professional goals as well as understand the structure and operation of a natural resource agency. 

  • Undergraduate or Graduate: Undergrad 

  • Description: The U.S. Forest Service is looking to hire summer interns in various career fields; positions will open from January 12th to February 7th. Positions are available for college undergraduates and college graduates. Career focuses include natural resources, business, technology, engineering, physical sciences, and more. Some opportunities are located at the coast, but most are located elsewhere. 

  • Undergraduate or Graduate: Both

The Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University integrates research, graduate education, and public outreach to advance knowledge of marine mammals, train the next generation of professionals, and engage with stakeholders to ensure that these animals and their ecosystems are always healthy. Depending on the available projects, MMI accepts both undergraduate interns and graduate students.