Field Internships with the Wild Dolphin Project
The Wild Dolphin Project (WDP) is the longest-running underwater dolphin research study in the world. Since 1985, WDP has conducted continuous, non-invasive research with two resident communities of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the northern Bahamas. Our work is internationally recognized for advancing scientific understanding of dolphin behavior, communication, social structure, and life history in the wild.
WDP internships offer a rare opportunity to participate directly in long-term marine mammal field research alongside experienced scientists, educators, and conservationists. Participants gain insight into dolphin relationships, natural behaviors, and the realities of conducting ethical field research in a dynamic ocean environment.
Program Overview
All trips:
- Depart from Riviera Beach, Florida on a Tuesday morning
- Return approximately 9 days later on Wednesday afternoon
- Are conducted aboard our 62-foot research vessel
Interns are fully integrated into daily research operations and gain hands-on experience in observational, photographic, and analytical methods used in marine mammal science.
Internship Responsibilities
When interns are able to join us in the field, responsibilities may include:
- Conducting daily dolphin watches from the vessel bridge
- Assisting with in-water underwater photography during dolphin encounters
- Supporting photo-identification processing of dolphin images (daytime or evening, depending on schedule and encounters)
- Reviewing underwater video footage and assisting WDP staff with logging individuals and behavioral data
- Delivering a PowerPoint presentation on an endangered marine animal (assignment details provided in advance)
Daytime hours are typically spent searching for dolphins, conducting observations, and training.
Evenings often include informal lectures and discussions covering topics such as dolphin identification techniques and dolphin biology and behavior.
Research Focus
During the summer field season, Dr. Denise Herzing and her colleagues may focus on specialized research projects, including aspects of our long-term work with dolphin communication. Certain advanced research components—such as two-way communication research—are limited to WDP research staff and collaborating scientists. While these activities are not conducted with the general public onboard, interns will have opportunities to learn about the goals, methods, and vision of this work through discussion and educational sessions.
Eligibility, Enrollment & Academic Credit
- The internship program is open to college undergraduates, graduate students, and high school seniors.
- Space is extremely limited, and participation in this program is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis when trips are available.
- Interns must be 18 years of age at the time of the trip unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Students may be able to receive academic credit through their home institution, pending approval by their academic advisor. WDP can support advisor-specified projects when feasible.
Program Cost & Compensation
This is an unpaid internship. The cost of participation covers food and housing during the 9-day live-aboard research expedition in the Bahamas.
- A reservation is secured upon 100% payment of the trip cost
- If a trip is full, interested applicants are encouraged to contact us to be added to the waiting list for the current or upcoming field season
Introducing the Stubby Memorial Scholarship Fund 
We are proud to announce the debut of the Stubby Memorial Scholarship Fund, created to help fully support field interns who wish to participate in the Wild Dolphin Project’s internship program.
This scholarship is designed to reduce financial barriers and expand access to immersive field research experiences for emerging scientists, students, and early-career researchers who are passionate about marine science and conservation.
Availability of scholarship support may vary by field season. Details, eligibility criteria, and application instructions are outlined in the internship application materials.
How to Apply
Internship participation and scholarship consideration are two separate processes.
- Stubby Memorial Scholarship Fund: The scholarship application is a distinct process intended to support interns financially and does not automatically enroll an applicant in a field trip.
Prospective interns should review the full internship application packet before proceeding. The application deadline for the 2026 field season is January 31st.
For questions about and application submissions to the Stubby Memorial Scholarship Fund, please contact Alexandra at alexandra@wilddolphinproject.org
Click here to download the Scholarship Application (PDF)
How to Apply for Paid Internships
Internship participation and scholarship consideration are two separate processes.
- Internship Sign-Up: Space on field trips is secured through direct sign-up and payment.
Paid Internship sign-up is handled separately from the Stubby Memorial Scholarship process.
- Stubby Memorial Scholarship Fund: The scholarship application period for the current 2026 field season is now CLOSED.
We are no longer accepting scholarship applications at this time, and future availability is not guaranteed.
For questions regarding internship sign-up, availability, or waiting lists, please contact Kellie at wdptrips@wilddolphinproject.org
