STEM Opportunities:
High School and College

scholarships * internships * competitions

Internships/Jobs:

  • Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program - A paid summer mentoring program to educate and inspire high school students about fisheries science and management. Applications due February 14, 2023. Download a flyer
  • MATE/UNOLS Long Term - The U.S. Academic Research Fleet of UNOLS-designated research ships will host 1 long-term (~6 months) and 12-14 short-term (4-16 weeks each) marine technical internships in 2023 (subject to funding). Departure dates will depend on the schedule of each research cruise. We will first select candidates for internships starting in Spring, and then in Summer and Fall. Applications due by January 22, 2023.
  • NASA Internships - Internships are available from high school to graduate level. Internships provide students with the opportunity to participate in either research or other experiential learning, under the guidance of a mentor at NASA. Applications for Spring and Summer 2023 opened on October 1, 2022.
  • New Beginnings for Tribal Students in Oregon - Native American students in undergraduate natural science programs at OSU or SWOCC can apply for funds to support participation in student summer internships. 
  • Northwest Fisheries Science Center - Career training opportunities at the headquarters in Seattle, WA and at five research stations throughout Washington and Oregon for high school, undergraduate, and graduate student interns.
  • Ocean Exploration Trust - Paid science and engineering intern positions for undergraduate and graduate students entail 2-5 week periods working aboard E/V Nautilus as Data Loggers, Seafloor Mapping, ROV Pilots, or Video Engineers. Apply by Dec 31, 2022.
  • Oregon Coast Aquarium - High school students volunteer as youth aquarium interpreters.
  • Schmidt Ocean Institute - Undergraduate and graduate students take part in seagoing oceanographic research on board the R/V Falkor. Sign up to be contacted when the next applications will be accepted.
  • Sea Grant Summer Scholars - This 10-week program places high-caliber junior and senior undergraduate students from around the country with a variety of Oregon-based host organizations. The next application period will open mid-January and applications will be due by February 15, 2023.
  • William M. Lapenta NOAA Student Internship - This paid summer internship from NOAA is for 2nd and 3rd year undergraduate and enrolled graduate students, and focuses on research and/or operational experiences related to weather and climate science. Applications are due by January 5, 2023.

Coastal students were on the R/V Oceanus Sept 12-15, 2019 - Learn more

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  • JASE/JSEP Polar Programs - Apply to work in multicultural teams and explore polar science in some of Earth’s most remote environments, Greenland and Antarctica. All student expenses are covered by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Applications on hold due to COVID-19.
  • Oregon Applied Sustainability Experience internships - This summer internship matches undergraduate students with an Oregon business to create sustainability solutions for industry practices. Applications will open again in March 2023.
  • Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex Internships - Undergraduate students, apply to be a Visitor Services, Refuge Operations or Wildlife Biology intern. Stipend included; Apply by March 21, 2022.
  • Port Orford Gray Whale Foraging Internship - Study whales this summer! High school students age 16+ from the Port Orford area are invited to apply for a PAID summer research internship focused on gray whale foraging. Two HS students will be selected for this fantastic opportunity. Apply by Feb 28, 2022.

Thinking about a career as a coastal geologist, engineer, or nearshore oceanographer? The Coastal Universities Guide is an interactive map-based tool for high school or college students looking for an undergraduate or graduate coastal program.  View the Guide

Scholarships:

  • Barry Goldwater Scholarship - Provides scholarships to college sophomores and juniors majoring in STEM fields. Deadline for nomination is typically the last Friday in January.
  • EAGLES STEM Scholarship - This Portland State University program is designed to provide low income and underrepresented students with financial assistance, focused training, and research opportunities related to environmental pollution. Incoming first year students may apply, as well as sophomore or junior transfer students. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
  • Hyundai Women in STEM Scholarship - Open to high school seniors and college undergraduates who identify as female, reside in the United States and wish to pursue a STEM-related field of education. Five $10,000 scholarship will be awarded. Apply by June 30, 2022.
  • Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship - $10,000 annually renewable college scholarships awarded to individuals studying engineering or computer science who demonstrate financial need and come from underrepresented or underserved communities. Applications open in January. 
  • MTS Marine Studies Scholarship - Each year MTS awards significant scholarship funding to college graduate, undergraduate, and senior high school students who have been accepted into full-time marine-related programs with a focus on marine technology, marine engineering, or marine science. Applicant must be an MTS member (student memberships cost $25 per year). Apply by April 15, 2022.
  • NOAA Undergraduate Scholarships include those that provide tuition support up to $9500 per year for junior and senior year of college. In addition, they offer paid summer internships at NOAA facilities across the country, summer stipends, housing and travel allowances. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens enrolled in an undergraduate program or are transferring to a 4 year college from a community college. The application period closes at the end of January.
  •      >Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program
         >Educational Partnership Program (EPP) Undergraduate Scholarship
  • Oregon Chapter of the American Fisheries Society - Provides annual $2000 scholarships for fisheries scholars at the undergraduate level and higher. Each year, the deadline to apply is December 31.
  • Oregon State University College of Engineering Scholarships - Includes a Dean's Scholarship for first year engineering and computer science students, and an award for students who participated in FIRST Robotics and FIRST Tech Challenge in high school. Most applications due in February.
  • Renewable Energy Scholarship Foundation - Available to students in Oregon and Washington pursuing advanced studies in renewable energy. Study areas may include biomass, geothermal, wind, solar etc., as well as related areas such as public policy and other social sciences. Apply in February.
  • Science Ambassador Scholarship - A full–tuition scholarship for a woman in science, technology, engineering, or math. Funded by Cards Against Humanity. Apply by Dec 13, 2022.
  • Zonta Coos Bay Scholarships - Students in the Coos Bay area are encouraged to apply for scholarships in STEM, technology, CTE, business, and more. Applications are due by March 1, 2022. 

Competitions:

See a list of competitions that normally take place during the school year, including events for teams, individuals, school-affiliated competitions and out-of-school opportunities.

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  • Pathways to Science - Find programs such as undergraduate summer research opportunities, graduate fellowships, postdoctoral positions, as well as resources and materials pertaining to recruitment, retention, and mentoring.
  • Computer Science Online  - Lists a variety of scholarships available in the field of computer science.
  • Discover Data Science - Lists a variety of scholarships available for women in the field of data science.