“I love the ocean. I’ve always liked the blue, so tranquil and peaceful and gliding. And the fear of it.” Siouxsie Sioux
Have no fear! So you’re not sure if traditional bench research is for you? Consider the ocean your lab this summer. Check out these ten Ocean-Themed REU’s. We’ve compiled a list with something for every major and every GPA. Many of these are looking for students with no prior REU experience so why enjoy the ocean air and get research experience at the same time this summer!
1. Texas A&M University, Galveston

The Goal of OCEANUS is to expose diverse students to an empowering learning and research experience that will enhance leadership and communication skills, foster retention towards baccalaureate completion, encourage graduate school matriculation and the pursuit of ocean and coastal-oriented STEM careers.
Open to all biology, physics, chemistry, environmental science, geosciences, maritime industry/commerce, computer science and engineering majors.
No Previous Research Experience Necessary
Levels: Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors & Non-Graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: 2.6 (GPA is not a strict minimum to be eligible to apply)
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: February 15th
Apply
2. Northern Illinois University
Water Quality in the Yucatan Peninsula

Undergraduates interested in water science will work with faculty mentored research projects in Cancun, Mexico.
The eight-week program has three parts. First, students will begin their summer at the Northern Illinois University where they will learn research skills, develop research plans, and study water resources and the Yucatan Peninsula. Next students will travel to the Yucatan to faculty mentors and Mexican scientists and students while staying in local housing. Students will also have an opportunity to visit sites of historical and cultural significance in the Yucatan. During the last part of the program students will return to the States to analyze the data they’ve collected and present their findings.
Levels: Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, & Non-Graduating SeniorsCitzenship Requirements: US Citizens & Perrmanent Residents
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Deadline to Apply: February 1, 2019
Apply
3. California State University, Monterey Bay

Spend 10 weeks in beautiful Monterey working on independent research under the supervision of a research mentor in projects related to Oceanography, Marine Biology and Ecology, Ocean Engineering, or Marine Geology.
Levels: Sophomores & Juniors
MInimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: US CItizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: February 11, 2019
Apply
4. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
The REU program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center (LMRCSC) offers paid internships. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, interns will conduct original research projects in one of a wide range of marine science topics, participate in field trips, and attend seminars and workshops related to science careers. The program seeks students interested in careers in marine science.
Levels: Rising Sophomores & Rising Juniors
GPA: Not Specified
US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Apply
5. University of California at Santa Barbara

Students that participate in UC Santa Barbara’s Ocean Global Change Biology GCB will gain valuable training in areas of professional development, science communication, and building leadership skills, which they will be able to practice during group activities and the end-of-program colloquium. Students will have a broad-based experience in marine science (e.g., the NOAA Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary located on the UCSB campus). UCSB is the site of two NSF-funded LTERs – the Santa Barbara Coastal (SBC) LTER and the Moorea Coral Reef (MCR) LTER. Thus, students will be able to take advantage of research and educational activities within these groups
Levels: Rising Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: February 1, 2019
Apply
6. Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences

Located in East Boothbay, Main undergraduates in Bigelow Laboratory’s summer REU Program spend ten weeks at the Laboratory conducting independent research with guidance from a scientist mentor. Research areas vary year to year, but include marine microbiology, ocean biogeochemistry, optical oceanography, remote sensing, bioinformatics, sensory biology and phytoplankton ecology. Prior Research Experience is not required.
Levels: Sophomores, Juniors, & Non-Graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: February 15. 2019
Apply
7. Woods Whole Oceanic Institution
Summer Student Fellowships are awarded to undergraduate students who are completing their junior year at colleges or universities and are studying in any of the fields of science or engineering including but not limited to the fields of biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, geophysics, mathematics, meteorology, physics, oceanography, and marine policy.
Levels: Juniors & Non-Graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens, Permanent Residents, International Students
Deadline to Apply: February 15th
Apply
8. Dauphin Island Sea Lab
The focus of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab REU Program is to provide participants with the opportunity to carry out an independent research project while working under the direction of a faculty mentor. Any rising sophomore, junior, or senior undergraduates with interests in marine science, biology, chemistry, geology, biomedicine, or environmental sciences can apply to this REU Program.
Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors & Non-Graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens, Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: February 15th
Apply
9. Barnard College/Columbia University – Earth & Ocean Sciences
The Lamont Summer Intern Program for undergraduates from U.S. colleges and universities provides a summer research experience in Earth and ocean sciences..Lamont has world-class scientists in many scientific disciplines: climate modeling, atmospheric sciences, paleo-climatology, biogeochemistry, marine geophysics, marine geology, physical oceanography, seismology, marine biology, isotope geochemistry, etc. The internship at Lamont allows you to work one on one with these scientists, rather than as one of many students in a classroom setting.
Levels:Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, & Non-Graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: US CItizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: February 18. 2019
Apply

Bachelor of Science degree in Surf Science and Technology.
10. University of Southern California
The Coastal Ocean Process REU will support ten highly motivated and talented undergraduate students to conduct independent but guided research that focuses on Coastal Ocean Processes during an intensive 10-week program at the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island, CA. Students will have access to kayaks, wet suits, and snorkeling gear.
Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, & Non-Graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: 3.25 preferred
Citizenship Requirements: US CItizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: February 18. 2019
Apply