Northeast Academic Programs Office

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The Northeast Fisheries Science Center studies marine species and fisheries, monitors and models ocean ecosystems, and provides reliable advice for policymakers. Our work promotes recovery and long-term sustainability of marine life in the region. It supports both wild and cultured seafood harvests, helps sustain coastal communities, and generates economic opportunities and benefits from the use of these resources. To make this happen we need to actively advance the education of the next generation of fisheries and marine scientists. We must hire top-notch scientists, administrators, and support personnel to help us fulfill our mission.

We help prepare the next generation of fisheries and marine scientists through a variety of paid student internship opportunities within NOAA and through partnerships with universities and colleges across our nation. We value diversity and participate in a series of student and employment programs that help us build a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage intern and job applications from those who are underrepresented in marine sciences, including African American, Cape Verdean, Hispanic, Native American, Native Alaskan, and Pacific Islander students and job seekers.

• Questions about our intern programs may be directed to the Academic Programs Office.
• Questions about jobs may be directed to the Human Resources Liaison.

We offer a variety of undergraduate internships and student opportunities.

Atlantic Salmon Ecosystem Research Team Internship Program

The Atlantic Salmon Ecosystem Research Team Internships (ASERT) is a partnership between Maine Sea Grant and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center to provide paid opportunities for undergraduates to gain experience in the field of fisheries. These competitive positions require 20 to 40 hours per week, based at one of several mentor locations. These include our Maine and Massachusetts lab facilities, University of Maine Orono, and Maine Department of Marine Resources offices in Augusta, Bangor, and Jonesboro. Start dates vary according to position, ranging from April to June and will last for up to 13 weeks.

2025 application information coming soon.

Read more about 2022 and 2021 interns and their summer research.

Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions

The primary long-term goal of the Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions is to increase the number of students, particularly from underrepresented communities, who attend higher education institutions that have NOAA Cooperative Science Centers. Each Cooperative Science Center is led by a Minority-serving Institution and partnered with a NOAA line office. The focus is on students who will graduate with degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or natural resource management/policy. Students complete an 11-week paid summer internship and training at NOAA in Silver Spring, Maryland, between May and July of the first summer. During the second summer, students complete a 10-week paid internship at NOAA facilities across the country. Students receive awards valued at up to $45,000 in total support (including travel and conference participation) during their junior and senior years. 

Applications for 2025 are now open.

Read more about 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 interns and their summer research.

Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program

The Hollings Scholarship Program provides successful undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance (up to $9,500 per year) for 2 years of full-time study and a 10-week, full-time paid ($700/week) internship at a NOAA facility during the summer. 

Applications for 2025 are now open.

Read more about the 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 interns and their summer research..

Inclusive NOAA Fisheries InternSHip Program

Our Inclusive NOAA Fisheries InternSHip (IN FISH) is a new and inclusive partnership program between NOAA and research partners in academia and nongovernmental research institutions. It is a 10-week paid undergraduate internship program in a NOAA marine research lab or marine resources program office. The third IN FISH! class will run from June 5 through August 11. It consists of a 2-week workshop course available for credit through the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and 8 weeks of project experience. Participants receive a $6,000 stipend and costs for tuition, course supplies, travel, housing, and food are also covered.

2025 application 

A list of 2025 projects and mentors can be found here.

Read more about the 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021 interns and their summer research.

NOAA College-supported Internship Program

Since 2006, NOAA has partnered with selected colleges to provide college-funded summer internship opportunities to undergraduate students. Students enrolled in one of the partner colleges can participate and apply through the partner college. NOAA provides students experience in science, policy, and science communication projects. Internship duration, stipend, and other logistics, as well as application deadlines, are set by the partner college.

Read more about the 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 interns and their summer research.

Woods Hole Partnership Education Program I

The Woods Hole Partnership Education Program I (PEP) is a multi-institutional program supported by six Woods Hole, Massachusetts, scientific institutions and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The 10-week program is designed primarily for rising college juniors and seniors—students who are sophomores or juniors at the time of application—from underrepresented groups in marine and ocean sciences who want to spend a summer gaining practical experience in marine and environmental science.

Most of the students are new to the program, but this year a few are PEP alumni returning for more advanced work. The program consists of a 4-week course in global climate change and a 10-week research project, all in the seaside village of Woods Hole, Massachusetts. 

2025 application now open

Read more about the 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 interns and their summer research.

The Science Center participates in a few post baccalaureate and graduate student internship opportunities.

Woods Hole Partnership Education Program II

The Woods Hole Partnership Education Program II (PEP II) is a multi-institutional program supported by six Woods Hole, Massachusetts scientific institutions and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The 10-week program is a program for graduates of the PEP I program who have completed their undergraduate degrees and want to return for a second summer of research experience. Students selected for the PEP II program may continue the work they did with their PEP I mentors or they can be matched with new mentors and new projects. In addition to their research projects, PEP II students participate in an education/outreach project to develop curriculum and/or education tools in partnership with educators from the local public schools. 

2025 application now open

Read more about 2022, 2021, and 2020 interns and their summer research.

NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunity

The NOAA Experiential Research & Training Opportunity is a win-win for NOAA and its Minority-serving Institutions Cooperative Science Center (CSC) academic partners. Students participate in research and training at a NOAA facility and earn NOAA mission-aligned postsecondary degrees. Students are funded by the CSC, and the duration of the opportunity must be a minimum of 12 contiguous weeks and no more than a total of 1 year in length. Funding for travel and residential accommodations are the responsibility of the CSC institution and intern. Application deadlines vary.

Read more about 2023, 2022, and 2021 interns and their summer research.

Education and Program Partners

• Cooperative Institute for the North Atlantic Region
• Gulf of Maine Research institute
• Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center
• Sea Grant
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore
• Woods Hole Diversity Initiative

Jobs in the Northeast

Nearly 400 scientists, administrators, and support personnel work at our labs in Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey. We have a combination of federal and contract employees who help us fulfill our mission.

Federal employees are hired through the federal hiring process and these positions can be found on USAJOBS. Contract employees are hired through NOAA Fisheries Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (ProTech). Contract positions are filled through federal contract holders. To see what positions are available, please visit contract holder websites.

Graduates of NOAA-supported educational programs are eligible for hire through our Talent for the 21st Century Program. Examples of NOAA-supported educational programs that qualify for the Talent for the 21st Century Program include:

• NOAA’s Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions
• Experiential Research & Training Opportunity
• Woods Hole Partnership Education Program
• Inclusive NOAA Fisheries Internship Program

Talent positions are term appointments typically lasting 2 to 4 years. Currently, there are no talent position openings. When openings become available, they will be announced here. 

Contact

George Liles

Director, Academic Programs Office, Northeast Fisheries Science Center

Darius Johnson

Academic Programs Office Coordinator, Academic Programs Office