How to find a citizen science opportunity | USAGov (original) (raw)
Government agencies and other organizations can help you find a volunteer opportunity in citizen science. Also known as participatory science, explore how and where you can take part and make a difference.
Find volunteer opportunities in government
How to join citizen science projects managed by the federal government
Volunteer.gov is the central place to find information about volunteer opportunities in the federal government. Learn about the government agencies that need your time and talent to meet their mission.
Search Volunteer.gov for opportunities
Discover ways to participate at the federal level
Many federal agencies share citizen science and other volunteer opportunities on their websites.
| Agency | Volunteer opportunities |
|---|---|
| Bureau of Land Management | Citizen science at BLM |
| Census Bureau | The Opportunity Project at Census |
| Department of Health and Human Services | InnovationX at HHS |
| Environmental Protection Agency | Participatory science at EPA |
| Fish and Wildlife Service | Volunteer opportunities at FWS |
| Forest Service | Citizen science at the Forest Service |
| Library of Congress | Virtual volunteer opportunities at LOC |
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | Citizen science at NASA |
| National Archives and Records Administration | Citizen archivist program at NARA |
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | Volunteer and citizen science opportunities at NOAA |
| National Park Service | Citizen science at NPS |
| Smithsonian Institution | Participatory science at the Smithsonian |
| U.S. Geological Survey | Citizen science at USGS |
Discover ways to participate at the state level
Find citizen science opportunities in your state or territory's government.
Find other volunteer opportunities
Use keywords, topics of interest, and location to search for volunteer opportunities.
- Search for opportunities on SciStarter. On this online citizen science hub, you can learn about and contribute to real science through recreational activities and research.
- Visit a public library to get in-person help finding citizen and community science opportunities.
- Browse opportunities on Zooniverse, an online platform where the public can help drive research, science, and knowledge.
LAST UPDATED: February 17, 2026
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