Top 10 Paid Marine Biology Internships for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in marine biology, consider doing a summer internship in the field. Internships allow you to spend your summer working with marine biologists, helping with research, and exploring life under the sea—all without breaking the bank. These programs are a great way to explore the professional world of marine biology. You’ll gain practical skills, learn from experts, and earn a stipend that you can use for future educational pursuits.
Prestigious colleges and organizations nationwide offer paid marine biology internships for high schoolers, enabling you to learn about these career paths early on. Through an internship, you can build skills such as collecting data on ocean species or working in a conservation lab. To help you find the right fit, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 paid marine biology internships for high school students!
1. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Students are placed within a 45-minute commute of their homes
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: November 22 - January 19
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer with flexible start and end dates
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; must be 16 years old by the internship start date.
High schoolers can explore fisheries and aquatic science with the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program. This eight-week, full-time summer internship offers a $3,000 stipend. As a Hutton Scholar, you'll be matched with a mentor in your area to participate in fieldwork such as electrofishing, fish habitat restoration, and lab analysis. Sponsored by the American Fisheries Society, the program emphasizes participation from underrepresented groups. You’ll complete regular reports and gain insights into environmental science careers. This is a rigorous and rewarding experience for students ready to learn outdoors and in labs.
Location: The State University of New York
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance Rate: No information available
Application Deadline: March 26
Dates: 9 weeks with flexible start and end dates
Eligibility: New York State residents age 16 or older as of June 20th
The SUNY Oneonta Summer Internship Program engages students in full-time environmental research, focusing on monitoring Otsego Lake and its watershed. Interns start each day with a planning meeting and rotate through activities such as field sampling, lab analysis, and data entry. Weekly seminars with faculty enhance the learning experience, and each intern presents their research results to peers. Final requirements include a technical report and a scientific poster summarizing the project. You will gain experience in field methods, collaboration, and scientific writing—key skills for future study or careers in marine biology.
3. New England Aquarium Teen Internships
Location: New England Aquarium
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: Information regarding applications will be available in March
Dates: 7 weeks in the summer (includes one week of training)
Eligibility: Teens aged 14 and older
Open to teens 14 and up, this paid opportunity includes a week of training and six weeks of work experience. You’ll work in customer service or lead interactive marine exhibits while learning about climate issues and ocean conservation. Weekly sessions focus on professional development and advocacy, and optional workshops and social events are included. Most spots are available to Boston and Cambridge residents. Whether you're looking to build a resume or meet like-minded peers, this internship offers essential skills that will be useful in college.
Location: Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Stipend: A limited number of paid positions may be available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Application Deadline: Depends on the opportunity you apply for
Dates: Depends on the opportunity you apply for
Eligibility: High school students
If you're a high school student interested in science and research, the VIMS Summer Aide Program could be a valuable next step. A limited number of paid positions are available on the VIMS campus, depending on faculty needs and funding. These roles provide exposure to ongoing work in Marine Science by researchers and faculty. To apply, you must submit an online application through The College of William & Mary’s job portal under hourly positions.
Location: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: February 14 - March 10
Dates: Spring: Select Saturdays between April 12 - May 31 | Summer: June 17 - July 25
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors attending Boyle Heights high schools, including the Math, Science & Technology Magnet Academy, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Felicitas & Gonzalo Mendez High School, and Boyle Heights STEM Magnet
Each summer, the Marine Teens Internship hires ten juniors and seniors from select Boyle Heights high schools to explore marine science and interpretation. As a paid museum employee, you’ll create and present a marine science-based exhibit for public engagement. You’ll gain exposure to museum research, collections, and program facilitation while developing professional and academic skills. The experience helps you reflect on your strengths and explore future career paths. Two returning Peer Mentors will support the group and gain leadership experience through community outreach.
6. Marjot Foundation Independent Research in Environmental Sciences
Location: The Marjot Foundation
Stipend: $5,000 grant
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Application Deadline: October 15
Dates: Proposals are due twice a year on October 15 or April 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 through 12 from New England and New York
Do you have an idea for environmental research? If you’re a high school student in New England or New York, the Marjot Foundation offers a $5,000 grant to help you bring your project to life. Open to grades 9–12, this program funds a one-year, student-designed lab or field research study. Applications require a written proposal, budget, and mentor recommendation. If selected in April, you may begin your research over the summer. Participants must present their work publicly and submit a progress report halfway through the year. Students from public schools are prioritized.
7. Geosciences Bridge Program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)
Location: University of Maryland, Eastern Shore
Stipend: $500/week
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: May 31
Dates: July 1-August 9
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors
The Geosciences Bridge Program at UMES offers a paid summer internship where you’ll explore marine chemistry, environmental science, and related geoscience fields. You’ll stay in campus housing with meals provided and work alongside peers in field-based and classroom learning. You will take math (based on placement) and a Freshman Seminar while participating in lab work, lectures, and trips. Topics include GIS, civil engineering, and oceanography. This is an ideal opportunity to gain early exposure to college-level geoscience and build essential academic and practical skills.
Location: Kwiáht
Stipend: Students may receive scholarships if funds are available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Application Deadline: Proposals are accepted year-round
Dates: Four to twelve weeks, any time of the year
Eligibility: High school students
The Kwiáht Apprenticeship offers high school students an opportunity to conduct research in the San Juan Islands with daily guidance from trained Associates. You'll work outdoors with advanced tools and may even publish your work. To apply, you must be nominated by a school or submit your own research proposal detailing your question, methods, and why the project suits this environment. You must include a résumé and may be interviewed by an Associate. Projects last four to twelve weeks and are reviewed as received. Depending on funding and project alignment, a modest scholarship or stipend may be available.
9. Coastal Studies Institute Internships
Location: Coastal Studies Institute
Stipend: Some internships are supported through research grants.
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: 3-4 months; internships are available in Spring/Summer/Fall
Eligibility: Rising freshmen through rising seniors
Each term, the Coastal Studies Institute opens up internships for high school and undergraduate students interested in coastal sciences. Depending on faculty-led projects, internships span various focus areas such as estuary ecology, science journalism, education, and sustainable design. After you're selected, you’ll build a customized work plan with your mentor to set your hours, goals, and deliverables. You'll receive two evaluations—one at the halfway point and another at the end. The program is open to students from the UNC Outer Banks Field Site and ECU’s Semester Experience at the Coast.
10. South Carolina Aquarium High School Intern Program
Location: South Carolina Aquarium
Stipend: $10/hour
Acceptance Rate: No information available
Application Deadline: November 1
Dates: June – December
Eligibility: 11th-grade students in the Charleston area
If you're a current 11th grader in the Charleston area, the South Carolina Aquarium High School Intern Program offers a chance to explore marine science while building professional skills. Starting in January, you'll attend monthly Saturday training sessions covering ocean science, animal care, career prep, and team-building. After this training, you'll be interviewed for a chance to become one of 10 paid interns who continue into the summer and fall. These interns work with aquarium educators and biologists. From that group, five are chosen to return as mentors for the following year’s class.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!