Inclusive NOAA Fisheries Internship Program (IN FISH)

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2023 IN FISH Class will be announced in mid-March.

About IN FISH

Our Inclusive NOAA Fisheries InternSHip (IN FISH) is a partnership program between NOAA and research partners in academia and non-governmental research institutions. It is a 10-week paid undergraduate internship for U.S. citizens in an NOAA or partner institution marine research lab or marine resources program office.

The internship is a 10-week experience that includes a 2-week course available for credit through the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and 8 weeks of project experience working with a mentor in science or management. A $5,000 stipend is provided to each participant, with tuition and course supplies also covered.

The IN FISH Program is modeled after the Woods Hole Partnership Education Program and Alaska Partnership Education Program internship programs. The structure can vary due to program needs, for example, student interests, program format (virtual, in-person, hybrid), or laboratory location. The basic structure will consist of:

• Two-week ecosystems dynamics course
• Weekly professional development activities, including resume and writing. workshops, scientific presentations and seminars, guest speakers, discussions about graduate school, networking panels, and more
• Team building activities, including ice breakers, trivia night, coffee breaks, team meetings, and more
• Computational and technical workshops in R, R Shiny, GIS, and more
• Completion of research or management projects and can include things like posters, abstracts, presentations, websites, concept maps, and more 
• Participation in the student symposium 

Who is Eligible 

All undergraduate students who are enrolled in an undergraduate program at the time of the application period and are U.S. citizens and U.S Nationals are eligible to apply and participate. 

What are the Benefits 

• Academic training and college credits (2 hours) in ecosystem dynamics and complex systems
• Experiencing real-world research and/or resource management
• Building a professional network of mentors, educators, potential employers, and colleagues
• Training in communications, networking, and other skills needed to succeed in graduate work and entry-level research and management positions
• $5,000 stipend

Finding a Project and Mentor

We’re lining up our opportunities for 2023, which are listed here. The list will be updated as we get more feedback from mentors and students. For other project ideas, review the research projects IN FISH students completed in 2021 and 2022.

If you apply to the 2023 program, indicate on your application which mentors or projects interest you. If you secure a spot, we will take your interests into account when we match students with mentors. Soon after we extend offers in March, we will make matches and put students in touch with their mentors to discuss potential projects.

How to Apply

Application packets must include:

• A completed IN FISH application form
• Cover letter
• Resume or CV
• Unofficial transcript(s)
• Two letters of reference—one must be from a faculty member and the other can be from another professional source

Once you submit your application through the application portal, the references you listed in field #21 will be emailed and asked to submit their letters of reference directly to us. Be advised that once you submit your application it can not be edited. However, you can submit a new application to include any changes or updates. The program will review and consider the most recent application submitted. Returning users can login to retrieve their saved responses. 

2023 IN FISH Class will be announced in mid-March.

For more questions/concerns, please email Darius Johnson.

Class of 2022

In our second year, IN FISH had 15 students from four countries and/or U.S. territories, 12 states, and 13 different colleges and universities in 11 states. Project topic areas range from climate science, endangered species, fisheries, and habitat to public policy, fishing community resilience, seafood marketing, and Indigenous knowledge. 

In each profile, students outline their project, explain why it's important, and—always the most compelling part—share insights they’ve gained into marine science as a career during their time with us

Questions

If you experience any technical difficulties or have questions about the program or application process, please contact our Academic Programs Office’s Help Desk. Please include the following in the subject line of your email, “IN FISH 2023 Application Help – [Your first & last name].”