Sea Grant sponsors a variety of marine research, outreach and education projects, primarily through the 33 state Sea Grant Programs.

The National Sea Grant office offers several fellowship opportunities for graduate students with an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources, including the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship. In addition, there are often other federal and state-fellowships in the field of marine science.

Current Fellowship and Scholarship Opportunities

Undergraduate Research Fellowship opportunity for summer 2023

Applications due March 13, 2023

The goal of the Connecticut Sea Grant (CTSG) Undergraduate Research Fellowship is to broaden participation of underrepresented/underserved students in marine and coastal professions by providing early career experience, training and mentorship to the next generation of scientists, decision makers, and marine industry professionals. The program will do so by funding a research fellowship for up to two undergraduate students who represent the human social diversity of the communities of Connecticut. Underrepresented minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged students as well as students of color, indigenous students, Veterans of the US Armed Forces, members of the LGBTQ community, and students with disabilities are encouraged to seek a Proposed Project Mentor with whom to apply for this opportunity.

Up to two fellowships, each with a $5,000 stipend, will be offered this summer to enable selected students to conduct independent research under the guidance of a Proposed Project Mentor. The application process requires submission of a mentor-proposed natural or social science-based research project and a student nomination for the research fellowship. The project must be completed over the summer, and be focused on a coastal, marine or watershed issue relevant to the Connecticut Sea Grant Strategic Plan for 2024-2027, which can be accessed at: https://seagrant.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1985/2022/12/CTSG.Strategic.Plan_.2024-27.final_.pdf.

With this Call, Connecticut Sea Grant solicits project proposals and student nominees from Proposed Project Mentors affiliated with a Connecticut-based college, university, or non-profit educational/research institution. The Proposed Project Mentor will be responsible for providing the nominated student with resources, guidance and mentoring to undertake a meaningful natural or social science-based or policy-related fellowship project. Prospective Proposed Project Mentors should nominate students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and/or individuals from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. Student Nominees must have completed at least one year at an accredited two- or four-year university or college in Connecticut and submit a statement of interest as part of the application process.

Timeline

Monday January 16: Call for submissions/Fellow Recruitment
Monday March 13: Submission deadline
Mid-April: Fellowship selections announced
May 29: Fellowship commences
August 18: Fellowship ends

Prospective Fellow Information

Eligibility

Proposed Project Proposed Project Mentor Applicants: Connecticut Sea Grant proposes to select students by soliciting project proposals and student nominees from researchers at Connecticut-based academic or non-profit educational or research institutions. Submissions by and/or collaborative partnerships with one or more of the following are encouraged: Sponsoring faculty of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), and Community College systems.

The Proposed Project Mentor must:

Be affiliated with a Connecticut college, university; formal or informal environmental- or marine-focused research, education or outreach organization

Be engaged in natural or social science research relevant to the Connecticut Sea Grant mission and 2024-27 Strategic Plan objectives.

Nominate an eligible student to engage in a learning opportunity with them on an independent project for the duration of a 9-week fellowship

The Proposed Project Mentor is responsible for providing the Student Fellow with:

the resources and guidance to undertake a proposed project which can be completed in 9-weeks;
guidance on the natural or social science-based research, outreach, or policy topic; day-to-day guidance of the Student Fellow as needed, office and/or lab space, and access to a computer, Internet and telephone as needed.

The Connecticut Sea Grant Undergraduate Research Fellowship seeks to broaden participation of underrepresented/underserved students in marine and coastal professions by providing early career experience, training and mentorship to the next generation of scientists, decision makers and marine industry professionals.

The program will do so by funding a research fellowship for up to two undergraduate students who represent the social diversity of the communities of Connecticut. Underrepresented minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged students as well as students of color, indigenous students, U.S. military veterans, members of the LGBTQ community and students with disabilities are encouraged to seek a project mentor with whom to apply for this opportunity.

Up to two fellowships, each with a $5,000 stipend, will be offered this summer to enable selected students to conduct an independent project under the guidance of a project mentor. The application process requires submission of a mentor-proposed natural or social science-based project and a student nomination for the research fellowship. The proposed project must be completed in nine weeks over the summer, and be focused on a coastal, marine or watershed issue relevant to the Connecticut Sea Grant Strategic Plan for 2014-2027, which can be accessed at: https://seagrant.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1985/2022/12/CTSG.Strategic.Plan_.2024-27.final_.pdf.

Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Monday March 13.

The complete Call and Guidance on how to apply can be found here.

A pdf of the Call and Guidance on how to apply can be found here.

Read about previous recipients of the CTSG Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

For more information: see https://seagrant.uconn.edu/funding/fellowships/, or contact:

Dr. Syma A. Ebbin, research coordinator
Connecticut Sea Grant College Program
The University of Connecticut
1080 Shennecossett Road
Groton, CT 06340-6048
Tel: (860) 405-9278; Fax: (860) 405-9109
E-mail: syma.ebbin@uconn.edu

Coastal & Marine Economics Graduate Fellowship Program 2023-24

Applications due May 5, 2023

Connecticut Sea Grant (CTSG) has initiated a Coastal and Marine Economics Graduate Fellowship Program to enable one or more selected graduate students per year to conduct independent fundamental or applied economic research for one year under the guidance of their academic advisor. The purpose of the fellowship is three-fold: (1) promote a real-world professional development opportunity aimed at enhancing the career goals of the fellow, (2) enhance economic alignment to the coastal and marine goals of the CTSG 2024-27 Strategic Plan through their individual project, and (3) learn about CTSG and engage staff on economic aspects of existing and emerging program needs.

Eligibility

The 2023-24 fellowship is open to graduate students who will be enrolled in an economics-related MS or PhD graduate program in a Connecticut academic institution during the duration of the fellowship (i.e., the fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters). The fellowship is open to applicants irrespective of their citizenship or nationality, as long as they are enrolled in an eligible graduate program. The successful fellow’s academic advisor must be affiliated with a Connecticut academic institution, with expertise relevant to the proposed research. CTSG is strongly committed to enhancing diversity, equity and inclusivity in higher education and encourages submissions that help achieve those objectives.

Fellowship award

One or more CTSG Graduate Economics Fellowships will be awarded for the 2023-24 academic year. The award will consist of a service-free fellowship providing a $20,000 annual stipend. Preference will be given to applications for which the host department will couple the fellowship with a partial or full assistantship that covers the fellow’s graduate tuition and benefits (see below).

CTSG areas of particular interest

Valuation of ongoing efforts/sectors relevant to Sea Grant activities, such as valuing recreational fisheries in Connecticut, marsh restoration efforts, etc.
Valuation of environmental/ecosystem services
Economic analyses of climate change impacts on coastal and marine sectors and ecosystem services in Connecticut
Economic and societal impacts derived from Sea Grant activities (market and non-market; jobs and businesses created or sustained)
Economic value of coastal and marine habitats and ecosystems.

Application process

The application must include the following:

A cover letter

The cover letter should be no more than two pages in length, and clearly express the applicant’s interest in and motivation for the Coastal and Marine Graduate Economics Fellowship program, the anticipated alignment with CTSG priorities, anticipated professional development benefits for the applicant and an explanation of how the opportunity aligns with their career goals.

A research proposal

The research proposal must show relevance to the CTSG 2024-27 Strategic Plan (https://seagrant.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1985/2022/12/CTSG.Strategic.Plan_.2024-27.final_.pdf), should address fundamental or applied economics aspects and one of more of the specific areas of interest listed above. The proposed research must be completed within one academic year, with the potential for successful fellows to complete the fellowship during the summer. The proposal should be no more than 4 pages long, and include the following sections:

Relevance (Background/introduction/justification)
Project goals/objectives
Methodological approach
Alignment with the CTSG 2024-27 Strategic Plan (cite specific goals and objectives that your work addresses)
Timeline to completion
A letter of endorsement from the academic advisor

Successful fellows will require the support of the applicant’s academic advisor with expertise relevant to the proposed research. The endorsement letter, on institutional letterhead, must document the applicant’s qualifications for the proposed project, the relevance of the mentor’s qualifications/expertise to the proposed project, as well as a brief mentorship plan to assure both the successful outcome of the project and the fellow’s professional development.

Resumes for both the fellowship applicant and academic advisor

The application requires 2-page resumes from both the applicant and academic advisor. The resumes should highlight qualifications and relevant professional experience for the proposed project.

All application materials will be in 12-point font, with 1” margins. Submit application materials as a single (compiled) PDF file. Electronic files must be sent by e-mail to SeagrantResearch@uconn.edu for receipt no later than 4:30 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 5, 2023. Specify “CTSG Coastal and Marine Graduate Economics Fellowship Proposal” in the subject line. Proposals that are not received by the 4:30 p.m. EDT deadline will be returned without review. Hard copy and faxed submissions, in addition to proposals that fail to comply with content, format and length requirements, will not be accepted. It is anticipated that funding decisions will be communicated to the applicants no later than June 30, 2023.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated by a panel that will include Connecticut Sea Grant staff and expertise in economics, on the basis of:

Letter of intent (10%): Are the applicant’s motivations and expectations, and anticipated benefits clearly defined? Will the fellowship benefit the academic and career goals of the applicant?
Technical merit (30%): Is the research need well justified, are the research goals/objectives clearly defined, are the proposed methods appropriate, is the proposed research feasible and can it be completed in one academic year?
Relevance to the CTSG Strategic Plan (40%): Is the proposed research relevant to CTSG? Will it align with the goals, objectives and performance measures of the CTSG Strategic Plan?
Qualifications of the candidate (10%): Are the applicant’s qualifications meritorious? Are their qualifications and professional experience aligned with the proposed project? Is the project likely to succeed based on the experience and skills of the candidate?
Qualifications of the candidate’s advisor (10%): Are the mentor’s qualifications and professional experience aligned with the proposed project? Is the mentorship plan likely to result in significant professional development? Is the project likely to succeed based on the experience of the mentor?

Selection Criteria

Preference will be given to applications for which the host department or other academic funding source have or will couple the fellowship with a partial or full assistantship that covers the fellow’s graduate tuition and benefits.

Tax Implications

The Sea Grant Coastal and Marine Graduate Economics Fellowship is considered a fellowship for income tax purposes. The recipients may have an obligation to self-report the fellowship on your income tax return. Consistent with IRS guidelines, the University does not withhold income taxes from the award, or report the fellowship award to the IRS, except in limited circumstances involving nonresident aliens.

Questions?

Contact Syma Ebbin, CTSG Research Coordinator: syma.ebbin@uconn.edu or during the pandemic, by phone at 860 445-0113.

Read about the candidate selected as the first CTSG Marine and Coastal Economics Fellow here.

Read about the candidate selected in 2022.

The complete Call and Guidance on how to apply can be found here.

A pdf of the Call and Guidance on how to apply can be found here.

For more information: see https://seagrant.uconn.edu/funding/fellowships/, or contact:

Dr. Syma A. Ebbin, research coordinator
Connecticut Sea Grant College Program
The University of Connecticut
1080 Shennecossett Road
Groton, CT 06340-6048
Tel: (860) 405-9278; Fax: (860) 405-9109

NOAA scholarships for oceanic, atmospheric science undergraduate students now open

Applications for the 2023 scholarships are closed. Check back for an announcement of the 2024 scholarship application period.

Information about the NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship and the Educational Partnership Program Undergraduate Scholarship is available at the links below.

NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship

Educational Partnership Program (EPP) Undergraduate Scholarship

Population & Ecosystem Dynamics & Marine Resource Economics Fellowship

The application period for 2023 is closed. The 2024 fellowship will open for applications in the fall.

The Sea Grant Graduate Fellowship in Population and Ecosystem Dynamics and Marine Resource Economics are available to U.S. citizens who are graduate students enrolled in PhD degree programs at an accredited university in the United States or its territories in population dynamics, ecosystem dynamics, resource or environmental economics, or a related field such as wildlife biology, fishery biology, natural resource management, marine biology, quantitative ecology, applied mathematics, applied statistics, or simulation modeling.

Alternatively, a prospective fellow may submit a signed letter from the institution indicating provisional acceptance to a Ph.D. degree program conditional on obtaining financial support such as this fellowship.

Sea Grant and National Marine Fisheries Service expect to support up to four new Fellows in Population and Ecosystem Dynamics and at least one new Fellow in Marine Resource Economics, both commencing August 1, 2023. Fellows will work on thesis problems of public interest and relevance to NMFS and will be required to work closely with an expert (mentor) from participating NMFS Science Centers or offices. Mentors may provide data for the fellow’s thesis, serve on the fellow’s committee, and/or host an annual summer internship at the participating NMFS facility.

Eligible interested students must submit application materials to their local state Sea Grant program (Connecticut Sea Grant if you are a student in Connecticut) by January 25, 2023 by 5 p.m. ET. Those intending to apply should reach out at least one to two months prior to this deadline and contact the Connecticut Sea Grant Research Coordinator, Dr. Syma Ebbin (syma.ebbin@uconn.edu).

Download the RFP for the Fellowship in Population and Ecosystem Dynamics and Marine Resource Economics here.
A student guide to the NMFS-Sea Grant fellowship can be found here.
A general student applicant guide to Sea Grant fellowships can be found here.
(You need the free Adobe Reader to read these documents.)

For more information, contact Dr. Syma Ebbin at syma.ebbin@uconn.edu at the CTSG office or the NMFS Sea Grant Fellowship Program Manager by email at oar.sg.fellows@noaa.gov; by phone at: 240-507-3712 or refer to: https://seagrant.noaa.gov/NMFS-SG-Fellowship.

2023 Coastal Management Fellowship

The application period for 2023 is closed. The 2024 fellowship will open for applications in the fall.

The mission of the Coastal Management Fellowship Program is to provide on-the-job education and training opportunities in coastal resource management and policy for postgraduate students and to provide project assistance to state coastal zone management agencies. The five fellowship positions start in August 2023 and are available with the coastal programs in Connecticut, Maine, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington, and with the Coastal States Organization. Eligibility requirements, descriptions of the projects, and guidance on how to apply can be found on our website and in the attached information.

For the 2023 fellowship, applicants must be U.S. citizens who have completed or will complete a master’s or other advanced degree at an accredited U.S. university between August 1, 2021, and July 31, 2023. A broad range of degrees are applicable to the fellowship because the projects are varied among the host organizations. This two-year opportunity offers a competitive salary, medical benefits, and travel and relocation expense reimbursement.

Learn more about the program on this fact sheet.

Application packages must be submitted to the Sea Grant office in the state where you received your degree by Friday, January 27, 2023.

2024 National Sea Grant College Program Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship

The 2023 application period is closed. Please check back for the 2024 application period.

The NOAA Sea Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship application period is now open. The Knauss Fellowship, established in 1979, provides a unique educational experience to graduate students who have an interest in ocean and coastal resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The program matches highly qualified graduate students with “hosts” in the legislative and executive branch of government located in the Washington, D.C. area, for a one year paid fellowship.

CTSG is now accepting applications from graduate students for the one-year period anticipated to begin February 1, 2024. Each award will be $68,000 for salary/stipend and personnel expenses as well as additional funding for allowable expenses and office-related travel. For more detailed information please look at the Knauss Fellowship website: https://seagrant.noaa.gov/Knauss-Fellowship-Program. Interested students should discuss this fellowship with the Connecticut Sea Grant Director, Dr. Sylvain De Guise (sylvain.deguise@uconn.edu). A copy of the RFP can be obtained here.

A student guide to the Knauss Fellowship can be found here.

A Knauss Fellowship fact sheet can be found here.

For more information, contact the National Sea Grant Office, at: OAR.SG.Fellows@noaa.gov. Complete applications must be submitted to the CTSG office no later than 5:00 pm (ET) local time February 16, 2023. Those intending to apply should contact the CTSG Director (sylvain.deguise@uconn.edu) as early as possible in the application process.

Please contact Dr. Syma Ebbin at the CTSG office, (syma.ebbin@uconn.edu) for additional information.

NOAA Davidson Fellowship

The application deadline for the latest Environmental Research Fellowship Program has passed. Please revisit this site for information on future fellowships.

Graduate students are encouraged to apply for a two-year Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship, which will focus on field research in social or natural sciences within the nation’s diverse estuaries. Students will work with a mentor, fellow scientists, and local communities as the team addresses coastal challenges. The Davidson Fellowship includes networking opportunities and career-readiness training. Apply for one of the 29 fellowships available through the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.

http://coast.noaa.gov/nerrs/research/davidson-fellowship.html

Applications closed for NOAA scholarships for oceanic and atmospheric science students

The application period for the NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship and Educational Partnership Program (EPP) Undergraduate Scholarship is now closed.

Please check back for an announcement about the new round of scholarships.

For information, visit: NOAA Undergraduate Scholarships. Or follow #NOAAScholars via NOAA Education social media: Facebook & Twitter. For inquiries, please contact: StudentScholarshipPrograms@noaa.gov.