Tasking and obligations of interns are negotiated with mentors. Research interns are typically required to assist in data collection and complete technical writing and presentation projects. Writing projects will include a review of their experience. The written review may be used in full or part in any DAN publications including Alert Diver, On Board, the DAN website, research newsletters and press releases.
DAN strives to make the intern's experience an enriching one by helping them meet a number of goals, including:
DAN can also work with the interns' educational institutions to offer academic credit for their work.
The program runs primarily from late May through August, and interns are recruited largely from undergraduate students at colleges and universities across the United States (post-graduate students, students from other countries and periods other than summer will be considered, if appropriate). Following an initial week of training at DAN headquarters, research interns are placed with host facilities, including DAN, where they will participate in projects matched to their interests and ability. The range may include field, laboratory and/or epidemiological studies. Most research interns work closely with mentor experts to maximize their learning opportunities.
Academic credit may be available for students registered in educational programs while completing the research internship.
DAN will cover room, board and related expenses. Interns will be given a monthly stipend to cover these incurred costs. In turn, interns are required to keep an expense log of all incurred costs and submit these weekly to the internship administrator.
Strong candidates for this competitive program will have excellent communication and organizational skills, meaningful personal accomplishments, an established commitment to diving and goals that would benefit from participation in the program. Interns must be at least 20 years old by June 1, with an educational track in a science field preferred. While diving is not a required skill for this internship, candidates should be certified scuba divers.
To be considered for an internship, submit the following information:
Application deadline is Jan. 15.
The annual number of participants in the DAN Internship Program depends on the amount of funding available for the program each year, all of which comes from donors and supporting dive businesses.
To contribute to the funding of the DAN Research Internship Program, donate to DAN today.
To learn more about the DAN Research Internship Program, contact DAN Research or download the informational flyer (PDF: 102 KB).