KUPU: part-time and full-time programs for youth and young adults exploring the green job sector in Hawaiʻi.
Conservation Connections: Database of part-time and full-time jobs, volunteer and internship opportunities in Conservation in Hawaiʻi.
Paid Research Internships
General info on why to do a Summer Research Internship, how to apply, and some programs (website)
Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU): many different programs in different fields throughout the U.S. (including Hawaiʻi). Search here for programs by field (e.g., Biological Sciences, Ocean Sciences, Earth Sciences). Deadlines are usually in January & February.
MA'O Organic Farms college internships: educational internships of different lengths that provide an educational stipend and focus on college preparedness, leadership development, and 'ãina-based learning for undergrds at Leeward CC and UH West Oahu.
Interdisciplinary REU in Louisiana’s Changing Coastal Environments: 10 weeks in Summer at the DeFelice marine Center. Ideal candidates are interested in coastal/marine science. Deadline Mar 21, 2026.
PYSO/Hōkūala Kīkaha Kai opportunities with the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center in Honolulu. Current full-time undergraduates with less than 24 college credits can apply. Deadline Apr 3, 2026.
Peter J. Rappa Resilient and Sustainable Coasts Fellowship at the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program: Paid (stipend of $8,000) 10-week fellowship opportunity during summer 2026 for full time students (both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply). Rappa Fellows engage in projects that look into the natural, social, and built environments in Hawaiʻi and how to better manage issues that affect coastal community livability, sustainability and resilience. Rappa Fellows further their knowledge and understanding of sustainable coastal communities through research, extension, and community-based education in topics of coastal smart growth and community planning and their integration with hazard mitigation and climate change adaptation as well as cultural and traditional knowledge of Hawai‘i. For more info check website (scroll down to 3rd opportunity) or contact Maya Walton (waltonm@hawaii.edu, 808-956-6992). April 10. 2026.
Hele Imua Internship Program – A 12-week paid internship designed to expose candidates to high-demand occupations in state government. The goal is to provide participants with practical experience that may transition into long-term employment within Hawaiʻi’s labor market. More information with application.
STEM-SEAS research cruise experiences: aims to provide ship-based, 6-10 day exploratory experiences for undergraduates from diverse backgrounds aboard NSF-funded research vessels. Students will sail with experienced faculty mentors and engage in geoscience and oceanography activities (while also having fun)! Facebook page. Deadline Jan 27, 2025.
Fully funded 2-6 months Research Internships at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) for undergraduate students in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Math & Computer Science. The deadline for internships for April-Sept is October 15th. Application.
The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program provides research experiences at the Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories to encourage undergraduate students and recent graduates to pursue STEM careers. Deadline for the 10-week Summer program is Jan 7, 2026 (application). 16-week Spring and Fall internships are also available (different deadlines)
UNOLS-MATE Marine Technical Internship Program: The U.S. Academic Research Fleet of UNOLS-designated research ships will host 12-14 short-term (2-12 weeks each) marine technical internships in 2026 (pending funding approval). This is an incredible opportunity to work onboard research vessels at-sea, in the shipyard, and at shore-based facilities. Detailed requirements are on the application form. Deadline Jan 12, 2026.
Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science (PIPES): 10-week paid Summer internship providing hands-on professional experience for undergraduates in the fields of conservation research, natural resource management and environmental education specifically for Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders and students in Hawaiʻi. Application. Deadline Jan 16, 2026.
SOARS: Research internship program for students interested in the atmospheric and related sciences based at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (Boulder, CO). Application for Engineering Research, Application for Parallel Computational Science (SIParCS) program at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Deadline Jan 20, 2026.
Boulder Solar REU in Boulder/CO: paid summer research experience for highly motivated students interested in solar and space physics. Application. Deadline Jan 21, 2026.
Akamai Internship Program: The Akamai Internship Program offers college students from Hawai‘i an opportunity to gain a summer work experience at an observatory, company or scientific/technical facility in Hawai‘i in an 8-week program. The program has placements for students from community colleges and four-year universities from a wide range of STEM majors. For more information and to apply, check the website. Deadline Jan 23, 2026.
Geospace Program: Summer field course. Deadline Jan 25, 2026.
PI-CASC Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF): Climate-related research project for 10 weeks to provide interested undergraduates the opportunity to gain valuable research experience, improve their skills in climate science, and expand their knowledge of environmental issues in Hawai‘i and Guam. To apply check here. Deadline Jan 30, 2026.
Spend your summer as an Antarctic researcher (COLDEX REU at Oregon State University): During your NSF COLDEX REU experience you will work with ice core scientists and researchers to answer questions that will help in our mission to find the oldest ice in Antarctica! Application. Deadline, Feb 1, 2026.
REU Sustainable Materials at UC Santa Cruz: The University of California, Santa Cruz Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in Sustainable Materials provides undergraduate students, especially those enrolled in community colleges and four-year non-PhD granting institutions, with a comprehensive summer program in state-of-the-art materials science. Students actively participate in research projects led by UCSC's Santa Cruz Materials Center faculty and engage in educational, professional development, and social activities. Deadline Feb 2, 2026.
REU Program at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab: provide participants with the opportunity to carry out an independent research project while working under the direction of a faculty mentor as part of a productive research laboratory. Any rising sophomore, junior, or senior undergraduates with interests in ecology, biology, chemistry, geology, biomedicine, or physical and environmental sciences can apply. Deadline Feb 13, 2026.
Bishop Museum REACHES program: Research Experiences for Advancing Curriculum on Hawaiian Ecosystem Sciences hosted at the Bishop Museum in partnership with the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. 7-week full-time summer program (6/8/26 - 7/24/27) and Part-time school year program. For more information and to apply check here. Deadline Feb 15, 2026.
Sea Grant Summer Scholar Program at Oregon State University: The Summer Scholars Program is a PAID 10-week program that places undergraduate students from around the country with a variety of Oregon-based host organizations (tribal, public agency, non-profit, non-governmental). Scholars can assist host agencies with field work, lab work, analyses, research, policy development, and outreach and public engagement efforts. To apply and for more details on host opportunities and how tom apply, check the website. Deadline Feb 16, 2026.
Medical Internships: National Institute of Health (NIH) Summer Internship Programs. For more info and to apply go here. Deadline Feb 18, 2026.
Summer Internship with the Oʻahu Army Natural Resources Program: Field crew, Horticulture and Animal program internships are available during 12 weeks. For more info and to apply check here. Deadline Mar 1, 2026.
Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) Scholarship and Internship Program: CAPAL’s Public Service Internship Program places undergraduate and graduate students within the public sector in the Washington, DC area and throughout the United States. Intern duties may include policy or scientific research, project coordination and management, business, law, communications, and more. For more information and their other scholarships and internships, check the website. Deadline Mar 6, 2026 for Summer program. Deadlines differ for programs throughout the year.