The Environmental Discovery Awards Program (EDAP) funds paid, field experience internships for students pursuing degrees related to environmental studies at New College of Florida, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, Ringling College of Art + Design, and the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.
The program was established in 2019 thanks to a $55,000 grant to the Cross College Alliance awarded by an anonymous donor with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. The donor purposefully chose to work with the Alliance to efficiently work with multiple higher-education institutions to enrich the learning experience of students and to expand career development resources.
2025 Internship Organizations
The 2025 EDAP internship organizations include many of the region’s distinguished environmental organizations and CCA faculty researchers including:
- Big Waters Land Trust (formerly Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast)
- Community Harvest SRQ
- Minorities in Shark Sciences
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
- New College of Florida
- Peace River Wildlife Center
- Ringling College of Art + Design
- Sarasota Bay Watch
- Sarasota Dolphin Research Program
- Suncoast Waterkeeper
- Sunshine Community Compost
- University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee
2025 Highlights Video
EDAP 2025 Highlight Video
A recap of the highlights from the 2025 Environmental Discovery Awards Program. This is a paid summer internship designed to enrich the learning experiences of college students who are enrolled in science and environmental studies programs or have a demonstrated interest. The program provides student awardees with high-quality, paid experiential learning summer internships.
(July 2025, 10 minutes)
Cross College Alliance | Partner Institutions
