Call for Applications: WHOI Summer Student Fellowship 2026: Fully Funded (Deadline: 1 February, 2026)

If you’re a science or engineering student searching for a career-changing summer experience, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Summer Student Fellowship 2026 is one of the most prestigious and impactful programs you can apply for this year. This fully funded opportunity brings you into the heart of real ocean research-side by side with world-leading scientists and engineers.

WHOI Summer Fellowship Summary

Host Country	United States of America
Host Institute	Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Eligible Nationalities	All
Degree Level	Undergraduate/Bachelor’s
Fellowship Duration	10 to 12 Weeks
Deadline	February 1, 2026

Why This Fellowship Matters

The WHOI Summer Student Fellowship isn’t just another internship. It’s a career-launching REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Each year, the acceptance rate is extremely competitive-and for good reason.

Here’s what sets it apart:

• Fully funded: weekly stipend, housing, and travel support
• Hands-on ocean research with world-renowned scientists
• A real research project that produces publishable-level results
• A one-day ocean sampling cruise aboard the R/V Tioga
• Access to >200 researchers in oceanography and marine engineering
• Seminars, workshops, and near-peer mentoring
• Networking with MIT-WHOI Joint Program graduate students

If you’ve ever dreamed about working in marine science, climate science, ocean engineering, or environmental research, this is the opportunity that can open the door.

WHOI Departments Available for Research

Fellows can join any of the six major departments at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution:

1. Applied Ocean Physics & Engineering (AOPE)
2. Biology Department
3. Geology & Geophysics (G&G)
4. Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry (MC&G)
5. Marine Policy Center (MPC)
6. Physical Oceanography (PO)

WHOI Areas of Research

Fellows work inside one or more of WHOI’s globally recognized research domains:

• Climate & Ocean
• Coastal Science & Shorelines
• Ocean Circulation & Dynamics
• Ocean Life & Marine Ecosystems
• Seafloor & Earth Interior
• Ocean Chemistry & Carbon Cycle
• Marine Policy & Economics
• Polar & Arctic Systems
• Natural Hazards & Tsunamis
• Pollution Studies & Microplastics
• Ocean Technology & Robotics
• Underwater Archaeology

These research areas help students gain experience in solving real-world climate and ocean challenges.

Who’s Eligible to Apply in 2026?

The fellowship is designed for students in the last summer of their undergraduate degree.

You are eligible if:

• You will complete junior year by summer 2026
• You are majoring in science or engineering (biology, chemistry, physics, geology, engineering, oceanography, marine policy, etc.)
• You are not graduating before the fellowship starts
• You have at least a basic interest in ocean sciences

International students can apply (visa support included).

What You’ll Actually Do at WHOI

Instead of coffee runs or surface-level tasks, WHOI gives you real scientific ownership.

Every Fellow works on:

A research project developed with a WHOI advisor
Mid-summer oral presentation
End-of-summer written report
Public oral or poster presentation

Plus, you get access to a rich ecosystem:

• Weekly lectures by top ocean scientists
• Ethics in Science workshop
• Seminars across the Woods Hole scientific community
• Fieldwork on a research vessel
• Networking with scientists, grad students, and engineers

This is one of the few undergraduate programs where you feel like a real scientist, not just a student.

Funding Benefits for 2026

WHOI provides one of the strongest funding packages among global REUs.

Stipend: $721/week for 10–12 weeks
Travel Allowance: $720
Housing: Provided (shared room in shared unit)

International students pay a 14% U.S. federal tax, deducted automatically.

Application Requirements

The application is straightforward but competitive.

You must submit:

• CV / resume
• Unofficial transcript
• 2–3 recommendation letters
• Five short essay questions (200 words each)
• Online application form

Pro Tip (Discover-friendly insight):
Your essays matter more than your GPA. WHOI looks for curiosity, motivation, and potential-not perfect academic records.

Important Deadlines

• Deadline: February 1, 2026
• Decisions: Mid-March
• Earliest acceptance requirement: March 15

If any program pressures you earlier, NSF advises contacting the REU director.

Why WHOI Is a Launchpad for Future Scientists

The program has produced:

• PhD students at MIT, Scripps, Stanford, and Columbia
• Engineers at NOAA, NASA, and leading climate-tech companies
• Researchers shaping ocean conservation policies worldwide

Past Fellows describe the experience as “life-changing,” “career-defining,” and “the reason I chose oceanography.”

Whether your dream is to explore the ocean’s deepest mysteries, work in climate science, engineer autonomous vehicles, or protect marine ecosystems, the WHOI Summer Student Fellowship is one of the world’s best entry points into ocean research.

If you want a competitive edge in science, this fellowship belongs on your list.