Summer Undergraduate Internship Opportunities

Pennsylvania Sea Grant offers paid summer internship opportunities for undergraduate students seeking to gain experience in the areas of communications, education, outreach, and research. The experience helps prepare undergraduate students for graduate school and careers in science, policy, management, and outreach focused on oceans, Great Lakes, and watersheds. The 2025 internship positions have been filled, but qualified candidates should review the application criteria in advance of the 2026 application period.

QUICK DETAILS

• Applications & Interviews: review of applications and interviews will begin no earlier than January 2026, and continue until the positions are filled
• Begin Date: on or after June 2026.  
• Length: between 8-9 weeks
• Compensation: hourly
• Hours: 40 per week
• Location: applicants should be located in Pennsylvania. In-person and remote experiences available.
• Questions: submit your questions via the Contact Us page.
• Other: interns should be located in Pennsylvania, be able to travel to attend in-person meetings and professional development opportunities as needed and work independently with guidance from their supervisor.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Eligibility

• This opportunity is limited to undergraduate students enrolled in a U.S. institution of higher learning for the 2026 academic year. Undergraduate students graduating in spring 2026 are eligible.   
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or be authorized to work in the United States without restriction.
• Graduate students are not eligible for this opportunity. To learn about graduate fellowship opportunities, visit http://seagrant.psu.edu/section/opportunities

These internships are offered in Pennsylvania as part of the Community Engaged Internship (CEI) program, which is offered by Sea Grant programs across the country. The Pennsylvania Sea Grant program encourages applications from students with unique lived experiences, skills, abilities, and interests, with the intention of strengthening Pennsylvania Sea Grant capacity to enhance the practical use and conservation of natural resources for a healthy environment, resilient communities, and strong, sustainable economies.

Prepare in advance for the 2026 application period. Required documents include,

• Resume or curriculum vitae detailing education and work experiences (2-page limit) 
• Goal statement describing your interest in the internship program. Helpful information to include is your personal, professional, and academic background including your related experience, major or field of study and why you chose it; why you are interested in marine, Great Lakes, watershed science, policy, management, education, or outreach; how you think this internship would help you professionally; and information about how you might contribute to the mission of the CEI program (1000 words) 
• Copy of unofficial transcript(s) 
• Contact information (name, title, email, telephone number) for one reference. This reference should be someone who supervised you in a work or volunteer position and who is willing to describe your qualifications for the internship, or from a college professor or advisor who is willing to describe your academic achievements. 

Successful candidates will be paid per hour and be expected to work up to 40 hours per week for 8-9 weeks, from June into August. Interns should be able to work independently, with guidance from their supervisor.  Interns should be located in Pennsylvania, with ability to travel to attend events and meetings in person.  Other aspects of this position can be completed virtually, creating a hybrid work experience.  Interns will have the opportunity to participate in Pennsylvania Sea Grant staff meetings as well as other potential professional development and networking opportunities.