2026 Environment and Policy Internships (EPIC): Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA)

Job Title: Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority Intern
Department/Team: Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) with support provided by the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions (COS)
Location: The position will be based on Majuro Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) for a 10-week internship. Please see the Logistics section for details on housing and other expenses.
Duration: 40 hours per week for ten weeks over the summer academic quarter
Reports to: Alicia Edwards (RMI Protected Area Network Coordinator) in close collaboration with Florence Edwards (Deputy Director), and under the overarching guidance of MIMRA Executive Director, Glen Joseph. Depending on the selected project, other MIMRA staff may serve in a mentorship capacity. Preceding the time in Majuro, mentorship will be provided by Eric Hartge (COS Research Development Manager) under the guidance of the COS Co-Directors, Fio Micheli and Jim Leape. Depending on the specific applied research, other COS research staff may serve in a mentorship capacity.
Areas of Interest: Oceans (pelagic, reef, atoll systems, monitoring), research lab techniques, data visualization, resource management, large ocean states

About the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA):

MIMRA, established under the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority Act (1997), serves as the central agency responsible for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ marine resources. The Authority oversees all fisheries-related activities within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), one of the largest in the Pacific, and coordinates with both national stakeholders and regional organizations to ensure compliance with national legislation and international obligations.

In fulfilling its mandate, MIMRA works closely with partner agencies such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce (MoNRC), the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), the Coastal Management Advisory Council (CMAC) and CMAC Working Groups, as well as international and regional bodies including the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), and the Pacific Community (SPC). These partnerships support RMI’s active participation in global efforts to promote sustainable fisheries, protect marine biodiversity, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

MIMRA’s programs encompass a broad range of initiatives from licensing and monitoring of industrial tuna fisheries to supporting coastal community-based management, marine protected area development, and scientific research on coral reef health, fish stocks, and oceanographic conditions. Through these initiatives, MIMRA continues to advance its mission of ensuring that the ocean’s resources are used responsibly and equitably for the benefit of current and future generations.

Mission: In MIMRA’s evolving journey to incorporate new technologies, we are committed to ongoing research and development, fostering partnerships with academia, private sector entities, and international partners, to not only to protect our fisheries today but also to adapt to the changing dynamics of our oceans and ensure their vitality in the years to come.

About the MIMRA Team:

The MIMRA internship will be hosted within a dynamic, multidisciplinary team dedicated to the sustainable management and conservation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ marine resources. Day-to-day guidance will be provided by the Protected Area Network Coordinator and the Deputy Director, with overall direction from the Executive Director. Depending on the selected project, additional mentorship and supervision may be provided by technical staff within relevant divisions.

MIMRA operates through five core divisions: Legal Affairs, Coastal & Community Affairs, Oceanic & Industrial Affairs, Competent Authority (CA) and Finance & Corporate Affairs, that work collaboratively to fulfill the Authority’s mandate. The divisions oversee areas including fisheries management, research and monitoring, licensing, enforcement, marine conservation, and community engagement. This integrated approach allows interns to gain exposure to both scientific fieldwork and policy development processes.

MIMRA’s staff of more than 30 professionals include marine biologists, fisheries officers, economists, policy analysts, communications specialists, and administrative staff who work closely with regional and international partners such as the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), SPC, and other technical agencies.

Interns will be encouraged to engage across divisions to better understand how data, research, and policy intersect in real-world fisheries management. Collaboration, mutual respect, and a strong sense of community are central to MIMRA’s workplace culture. Interns will be treated as contributing team members and are expected to participate actively in meetings, planning discussions, and field or community activities relevant to their project.

The internship directly supports MIMRA’s statutory mandate to promote research and sustainable management of the marine environment under the MIMRA Act 1997 and related fisheries legislation.

About the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions:

The Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions (COS) catalyzes research, innovation, and action to improve the health of the oceans for the people who depend on them the most. A part of the Woods Institute for the Environment at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, COS capitalizes on Stanford’s broad expertise in ocean science and in the many other disciplines crucial to developing ocean solutions including engineering, computer science, political science, design, and business. Our core team of researchers and fellows partner with other research institutions, national and international non-governmental organizations, businesses and governments, as well as established and emerging leaders in the data revolution.

In advance of departing for Majuro, the student intern will meet with COS staff to gain insights into the background of RMI’s ocean resource management history as well as the details of Stanford’s engagements with local partners in the region. These initial meetings will be a significant investment into being able to provide value to MIMRA early in the internship while also providing for a more meaningful experience for the student. 

Position Description/Scope of Work:

The student intern will conduct applied and policy relevant research and analysis with MIMRA researchers and managers. The topic(s) of interest will be co-determined between MIMRA staff and the student intern to ensure alignment towards a shared objective. In advance of the internship, COS staff will support the student in the background context regarding ocean resource management in the RMI as well as the implications of the project. 

While in the RMI, MIMRA staff will supervise and mentor the intern through direct oversight and engagement with relevant partners in the community. The internship will emphasize hands-on experience in data collection, research synthesis, policy communication, or program implementation, depending on the chosen topic area. 

The intern is expected to produce a tangible output, such as a written report, policy brief, data visualization product, or outreach material, that contributes to MIMRA’s ongoing management and communication efforts. At the end of the internship, the intern will submit a short report summarizing key findings, outcomes, lessons learned and recommendations. A final summary presentation to MIMRA staff may be organized.

All data and research outputs generated during the internship will remain the property of MIMRA unless otherwise agreed in writing. The intern is expected to maintain confidentiality regarding all internal information, datasets, and institutional processes encountered during the placement.

List of Potential Projects:

The project topics will be collaboratively developed through dialogue with MIMRA staff, while considering the student’s interests. Example research topics include:

• Feasibility analysis of implementing and maintaining MARS (Micronesia Atoll Research Station), a field research site on neighboring Arno Atoll - including initial technical lab arrangements.
• Analysis of coral reef monitoring data for local, national, and regional reporting
• Review and analyze available socioeconomic data on how communities use resources and create infographics to help communicate findings for resource management planning.
• Compilation and integration of MPAs and Resource Management Plans (RMPs), including GIS maps, into the Micronesia Challenge Marine Database to support regional coordination and data sharing.
• Translation of existing literature and resources into community-facing products
• Strategic outreach and education projects with local communities in Majuro and neighboring atolls

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of MIMRA staff and in coordination with Stanford COS mentors, the intern will:

• Collaborate with the assigned mentor/supervisor to develop a detailed internship work plan that links each task or project to specific expected outcomes, deliverables, and timelines.
• Assist in the collection, review, and synthesis of marine and fisheries-related data relevant to MIMRA’s ongoing projects.
• Assist in research and reporting activities related to marine resource management, environmental monitoring, or policy development.
• Contribute to the development of outreach and educational materials for community engagement.
• Prepare draft analyses, maps, or visualizations using available datasets and MIMRA guidance.
• Participate in meetings, field visits, or stakeholder consultations as appropriate.
• Collaborate closely with CMAC’s Marine Working Group to support ongoing coordination with RMI’s marine conservation partners. 
• Maintain organized records of research activities and ensure data confidentiality as required.
• Submit periodic progress updates and a final summary report or presentation of findings to MIMRA.
• Adhere to MIMRA’s workplace protocols and safety procedures while representing the organization professionally.

Desired Skills/Qualifications:

• Detail-oriented work methods
• Familiarity with ocean dynamics in the nearshore, reef, or pelagic systems
• Experience working with communities outside of the U.S.
• Demonstrated intercultural competence and sensitivity to Pacific Islands contexts; prior experience working with island or coastal communities is highly valued.
• Experience conducting primary or secondary research and synthesis of findings for policy or management relevance
• Ability to communicate technical findings clearly to both expert and non-expert audiences.
• Knowledge of environmental policy, marine governance frameworks, or regional fisheries management (e.g., WCPFC, FFA) is beneficial.
• Interest in sustainable ocean management, climate resilience, and marine policy innovation.
• Familiarity with snorkeling; SCUBA certification is highly beneficial, yet not essential
• Strong communication and technology skills (e.g., Microsoft suite, Google suite); additional preference for data analytics experience (e.g., R, Python, GIS)
• Ability to work independently, while also knowing when to seek guidance
• Enthusiasm about unpacking complex, multi-dimensional problems 
• Ability to work effectively and sensitively in multicultural, interdisciplinary settings and to engage respectfully with local communities.
• Professionalism, adaptability, and respect for local customs and institutional protocols.

Logistics:

• EPIC fellows are required to work full-time (40 hours per week) for 10 weeks over the summer, and will receive a stipend of $8,000 - $9,500, depending on financial need. Standard working hours at MIMRA are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
• The duration of the internship is 10 weeks, to be conducted between the time period starting June 15, 2026 and ending September 11, 2026 (13-week window). The preferred start date is June 15 or 22, 2026.
• The position will be based in Majuro, RMI for the 10-week internship. While in Majuro, the student intern will be based at the MIMRA main office in Delap. 
• Round-trip flight expenses to and from Majuro Atoll will be supported through gift funds supporting student engagement with Pacific island communities.
• Lodging in Majuro will be collaboratively facilitated by MIMRA staff. Lodging expenses in Majuro will be paid for by the student. 
• MIMRA will provide an orientation on local work protocols, cultural norms, and health and safety guidelines upon arrival in Majuro.