PHME Program
The Post High School Marine Experience
Hands-on marine field experience for those who want to pursue ocean science careers and excel outside of the classroom.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS ----- DEADLINE DECEMBER 31 2026!
Want to be a marine biologist, but don’t know where to start?
The Post High School Marine Experience, (PHME) Program could be the perfect place to start exploring your career options. Designed around the traditional PhD fellowship process, the PHME program invites applications from aspiring marine biologists, and future scientific technical writers who have an aquatic project they would like to pursue in our Zen4Blue Marine Science Center.
Candidates awarded a “Zen-ternship” into the PHME Program receive financial support to gain the research experience and mentorship in scientific technical writing, with an opportunity to publish in our Zen4Blue Scientific Journal and present their projects at seminars and conferences.
At Zen4Blue the goal is to provide an opportunity for individuals with a desire to enter into the marine science career path to gain hands-on experience working on research projects outside the financially restrictive and competitive requirements of academia. The PHME program is geared towards those who lack access to pursue advanced degrees and for those who excel better outside the classroom environment. Each year, candidates will be selected to participate in current projects at Zen4Blue and launch their own project; with opportunities to learn technical writing, laboratory skills, and gain field knowledge by collaborating with our team of mentors.
Now Accepting Applications!! Deadline December 31st 2026
Shark Education & Field Research Scholarship
What happens when you take shark education out of the classroom and into the field?
Zen4Blue’s Post High School Marine Experience (PHME) Shark Education & Field Research Scholarship gives young adults ages 18–25 the opportunity to build marine knowledge, gain hands-on field experience, and explore a future in ocean conservation, research, and education.
Selected scholars will complete 12 online shark education modules, then travel to Belize in June 2027 for a hands-on field experience focused on sharks, human perceptions of sharks, and shark conservation.
During the field week, scholars will participate in supervised shark research, gather community perspectives, develop an individual research question, create a research poster, and present their findings to a local Belizean community.
No college degree or marine science background is required. We’re looking for curious, committed young adults who are ready to learn, get in the field, and discover where their own marine career path might lead.
Applications are now open!
Email submissions to phme@zen4blue.org by December 31st 2026
Help us launch Ocean Careers At Zen4Blue!
You can be part of the change our ocean needs to thrive and survive!