AquEOUS – Aquaculture Experiential Opportunities for Undergraduate Students

Welcome to the Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI) at the University of Maine!
Our Aquaculture Experiential Opportunities for Undergraduate Students (AquEOUS) summer research fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity for undergraduates to explore sustainable aquaculture, aquatic food systems, and marine science while building the professional skills needed for successful careers in aquaculture, fisheries, marine extension, and natural resource management. A defining feature of our program is the integration of Two-Eyed Seeing, a framework that combines ecological knowledge from Indigenous science with STEM concepts from Western science to tackle real-world challenges in aquaculture.

About the Program

The AquEOUS fellowship is a USDA-funded Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) program designed to provide a transformative experience for curious and motivated students from diverse backgrounds. This 10-week program emphasizes hands-on research, offering students the opportunity to design projects with mentorship from interdisciplinary faculty, industry leaders, and Indigenous knowledge keepers from the Wabanaki Center.

Participants will live on-site at the University of Maine’s Darling Marine Center in Walpole, the university’s marine campus. The program includes field trips, seminars, and professional development workshops that prepare students for an immersive summer of research and growth at world-class aquaculture facilities. Students will earn a $6,000 stipend plus free room and board.

Eligibility

Our REEU program is open to undergraduate students from various academic backgrounds who share a passion for research in indigenous science, sustainable aquaculture, food systems, and aquatic science. All students are welcome to apply! Students who have faced systemic barriers to accessing higher education and other educational opportunities, or are underrepresented in the sciences are encouraged to apply.

To be eligible, you should:

• Be enrolled a rising junior or senior in an accredited undergraduate program with a passion for aquaculture and inclusive and sustainable research methods.
• Have US Citizenship or Permanent Residency.
• Demonstrate interest in engagement with indigenous communities and knowledge and changing paradigms in research practices.
• Maintain good academic standing.
  

Research Areas

Choose a research area that aligns with your interests and career goals within sustainable aquaculture, food systems, and marine science.

Our program covers diverse fields, including:

• Indigenous Science and Two-eyed seeing methods
• Social Sustainability and Community Extension
• Aquaculture Communications
• Aquatic Animal Health
• Conservation Aquaculture
• Land-based Husbandry Systems
• Ecosystem Resilience and Environmental Sustainability
  

Contact Us

If you have any questions or need further information about our REEU program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us:

For questions regarding the REEU program or application process, please contact Meggan Dwyer at [email protected]
We look forward to receiving your application!