About The Scholarship Society

Scholarships

Since 1974, the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society® has provided firsthand experiences in underwater-related disciplines to young people considering careers in the underwater world. Each year a scholar is selected from North America, Europe, and Australasia to work with leaders in marine-related fields partaking in endeavors ranging from scientific expeditions, underwater research, field study, laboratory assignments, equipment testing and design, photographic instruction, and/or other specialized assignments. Scholars spend a year traveling extensively to gain exposure and get hands-on experiences in activities that will contribute to a well-rounded education. Each year, the incoming interns and scholars are provided with membership in the Explorers Club.

Each scholar is granted a coordinator who assists in organizing their itinerary. Breadth of experience is emphasized, but each program is tailored to meet each scholar’s background and interests. Itineraries may include time with specialists in such areas as biology, archaeology, dive industry-related operations, underwater photography, and conservation. Other areas of study may include:

  • Hyperbaric Medicine
  • Equipment Design and/or Manufacturing
  • Education
  • Dive Management
  • Marine Expeditions
  • Government/Policy
  • Tourism
  • Publishing
  • Commercial and Research Diving
  • Ecological Activism

The global underwater community views the Society Scholars as having the potential to make significant contributions to the underwater world even though they may not have yet chosen a specific career path. Exposure to a wide array of topics and work environments provides the scholars with a broad overview of the underwater world that will help guide career decisions.

 

Internships

North America

The society offers summer internships in North America for 1-3 month periods to college undergraduates and graduating seniors. Internship recipients receive a grant to help fund travel to/from site, room and board, and a stipend to cover living expenses. Our current North American internship sponsors include the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), Divers Alert Network (DAN), the National Park Service (NPS), and the REEF Environmental Education Foundation.

 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement:

The underwater world connects us all—we are as dependent on the oceans as we are on each other. As a global organization, the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society® celebrates the extraordinary human diversity of the planet as we seek to provide educational opportunities that help young leaders develop their full potential to engage in an ever more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable world. We aspire to be an organization that leads with its values, and embraces diversity, respect, and collaboration as vital to our learning culture. 

 

For More Information Contact:
Roberta Flanders, Executive Administrator 
execadmin@owuscholarship.org