To create a collaborative aquaculture internship program between maryland sea grant and morgan state university

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science a $380,055 cooperative agreement on June 1, 2026, under the Sea Grant Support program (CFDA 11.417) to develop and implement a collaborative aquaculture internship program between Maryland Sea Grant and Morgan State University.

The program will recruit students from minority-serving institutions and the Chesapeake Bay region to participate in a summer internship focused on aquaculture research. Students will work directly with researchers and staff at Morgan State University's Patuxent Environmental and Aquatic Research Laboratory (MSU PEARL) on internship projects while Maryland Sea Grant staff collaborate with MSU PEARL personnel to design professional development opportunities. The program will deliver two student cohorts trained in aquaculture research techniques and exposed to multiple aspects of the field through industry seminars, speakers, and site visits to academic institutions, private businesses, and nonprofit aquaculture facilities.

Expected outcomes include two trained student cohorts and documentation of best practices for developing aquaculture internships that serve a broad student population. Results will be shared with industry stakeholders to encourage students to pursue careers in aquaculture.

Work is performed in Cambridge, Maryland, with a period of performance from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2028. Morgan State University PEARL serves as the sub-recipient, providing direct supervision of student internships and collaborative development of professional development programming.

Activities

Development and implementation of an aquaculture-focused summer internship program, targeted recruitment of students from minority serving institutions and institutions within the chesapeake BAY region, and professional development opportunities for students in the internship program. These will include a series of seminars by speakers within the aquaculture industry and related fields and site visits to a variety of aquaculture facilities, including academic institutions, private businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

Expected outcomes

This project will produce two cohorts of students who will be trained in aquaculture research techniques and are exposed to the multifaceted aspects of aquaculture. In addition, this program will focus on developing materials that document best practices and ways to develop aquaculture internships that cater to a broad student population.

Intended beneficiaries

Both the students who are able to participate in these internship opportunities as well as the aquaculture industry as a whole. Results from this project will be shared with industry stakeholders seeking to develop hands-on experiences for students that encourage them to seek future career opportunities within the aquaculture industry.

Subrecipient activities

Maryland sea grant will work with subrecipient morgan state university patuxent environmental and aquatic research laboratory (MSU pearl). Students will work directly with MSU pearl researchers and staff on projects for their internships, while MSU pearl personnel will work directly with maryland sea grant staff to develop professional development opportunities and ways to improve the internship experience.