Marine Institute welcomes undergraduate students to 2024 Summer Bursary Programme

The Marine Institute welcomes 22 undergraduate students this month to the Institute’s facilities in Oranmore, Co Galway and Newport, Co Mayo, as part of the 2024 Summer Bursary programme.

The Bursary Programme enables students to gain valuable practical experience and gain exposure to the day-to-day activities of the Institute. Over a period of eight to twelve weeks, students have the opportunity to learn from experts in their field and form future networks before completing third-level education.

This year’s students will undertake placements in Marine and Freshwater Fisheries monitoring, Aquaculture, Benthic monitoring, Shellfish safety, SmartBay community engagement, Data Analysis, Human Resources, Oceanography, and marine communications.

“The Marine Institute Bursary Scholarship Programme has been running for over 30 years and continues to offer opportunities for undergraduate students to develop their skills and strengthen their knowledge in relation the marine sector,” said Patricia Orme, Director of Corporate Services at the Marine Institute. “The programme helps students make informed decisions early in their studies about the marine and maritime careers they would like to pursue.”

As part of the Bursary Programme, students will deliver presentations to Marine Institute staff and fellow bursary students about their experience and the skills and insight gained during their placement.

“The Summer Bursary Programme has been in place since the 1960s, and many current and former staff of the Marine Institute credit completed bursaries for their decision to pursue a career within the organisation,” said Helen McCormick, Senior Laboratory Analyst and coordinator of the Bursary Programme. “Bursary students are given the opportunity to gain insights into future careers in the world of marine science and conduct research in their preferred fields and areas of interest.”

The Bursary Scholarship Programme is available to undergraduates of Universities and Institutes for Higher Education who have completed two years or more of study in a relevant discipline. Applications for the 2025 Summer Bursary programme will open in Spring 2025.