NC Sea Grant Seeks Partners for Community Engaged Internship Program

Contact: Jane Harrison, jane_harrison@ncsu.edu

North Carolina Sea Grant is accepting proposals from partner agencies and organizations for the 2024 Community Engaged Internship (CEI) program for undergraduate students. NC Sea Grant is administering the national internship opportunity.

NOAA Sea Grant expects to fund 20 interns across the Sea Grant network. Only Sea Grant programs may apply for funding, but NC Sea Grant is looking for potential partners to identify internship projects and supervise interns for the summer 2024. Interns are expected to take on roles that contribute to wise and sustainable use of freshwater, coastal and marine resources.

“The interns will gain hands-on experience with issues of environmental, economic, and social importance,” explains Jane Harrison, NC Sea Grant’s coastal economics specialist and who is among founders of the national CEI program which began in 2020.

Through this internship program, undergraduate students from underrepresented and indigenous communities receive training and mentorship from experts across the state to explore environmental issues affecting local communities. The internship is 10 weeks long and provides a competitive stipend.

Past community engaged interns in NC have completed projects focused on science education in Cumberland and Robeson County communities, environmental justice in Raleigh, and communications for the North Carolina Oyster Trail. 

Sea Grant  is especially seeking out  partners for intern projects with a climate justice focus, Harrison adds. Partners can include university and college faculty, non-profits and government agencies, and local community groups.

Potential partners in North Carolina should contact Jane Harrison by January 31, 2024. Jane_Harrison@ncsu.edu is the best initial contact.

Update: the deadline for applications has been extended to Friday, February 23rd. 

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