Orange County Coastkeeper’s Marine Restoration Department is proud to offer SCUBA Scholarships designed to build the next generation of ocean conservationists. This program supports individuals passionate about protecting marine ecosystems and interested in developing hands-on skills through scuba diving.
Selected awardees will receive financial support toward scuba training, certification, and essential diving gear. Each recipient will be awarded $1,000 to cover the cost of a scuba certification program, with any remaining funds applied toward purchasing necessary equipment. This scholarship may be applied to any level of certification, from Open Water Diver through Scientific Diving, making it accessible to both beginners and those advancing their professional diving careers. The Marine Restoration Director will work closely with each awardee to organize courses and gear.
By investing in scuba training, Coastkeeper aims to strengthen the local environmental workforce and empower community members to actively participate in marine restoration, monitoring, and conservation efforts. This scholarship is part of a broader commitment to cultivating a skilled, diverse, and passionate network of ocean stewards who will help protect and restore coastal ecosystems for future generations. We strongly encourage individuals from underserved and underrepresented communities to apply, as we are committed to making scuba diving and the next generation of ocean conservationists and environmental leaders more equitable and inclusive.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a resident of Orange County or Long Beach, CA (OC Coastkeeper Marine Restoration service areas)
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Able to complete training by December 2026
- Able to join OC Coastkeeper for a day of internship training
- Has a reliable form of transportation
Additional Information
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Ideal candidates will demonstrate a strong interest in environmental stewardship, a commitment to community engagement, and a desire to contribute to marine conservation efforts. No prior scuba experience is required. Please be honest with your swim level.
Orange County Coastkeeper commits to providing pathways for active participation in water and watershed protection from people of all identities, including but not limited to race, color, religion/culture (dress and grooming practices), national origin, age, medical condition, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex (stereotypes and pregnancy, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, ancestry, gender (identity or expression), military and veteran status, or any other characteristic or activity protected by law.
We cannot achieve our mission of protecting our precious waters and watersheds without the diverse perspectives of our community and collective decision-making. We are committed to breaking historic and systemic barriers that have built systems of water inequity and injustice by building a team that represents the variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills found in our community.
This opportunity is made possible by funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
