Application Deadline: February 27, 2023 by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time
2023-24 Host Office: Puget Sound Partnership
2023-24 Fellowship Position Description [PDF]
Tips for writing personal statements, CV’s, and interviewing for Sea Grant fellowships [PDF]

2023 Timeline
January 24: Fellowship Application Opens
February 27: Fellowship Application Due
March 6-13: Finalist Interviews and Fellow Selection
April 1: Fellowship Begins

Overview
The goal of the Washington Sea Grant Keystone Fellowship program is to broaden participation in marine and coastal professions making them more inclusive of the full diversity of our communities and responsive to their needs and perspectives. The Fellowship recruits and engages early career professionals who are underrepresented in the marine science, policy, and industry workforce providing them with experience, training and mentorship in these fields.

This paid fellowship offers a unique educational opportunity by matching highly motivated and qualified individuals with host offices throughout Washington State.

Fellows are matched with hosts from state or local government, tribes, nonprofits and maritime industries.
Fellows work primarily on science, policy, and industry related projects with an additional emphasis on work related to the advancement of social justice, racial equity and inclusion in these professional spaces.
WSG Keystone fellows receive mentorship both through their host office and through participation in professional development activities with Washington Sea Grant.

The Fellowship offers first-hand experience working on projects that help us better understand, conserve and utilize Washington’s ocean and coastal resources while building pathways into marine related careers for individuals who are historically underrepresented in those fields.

Black, indigenous and other people of color (BIPOC) as well as representatives of the LGBTQ+ community, and allies are encouraged to apply for this opportunity.

2023 Keystone Fellowship Project
This year one Keystone Fellow will be placed with co-mentors, Alison Agnes (Puget Sound Partnership) and Mindy Roberts (Washington Conservation Action) under the host agency, the Puget Sound Partnership. See the 2023 WSG Keystone Fellowship Project Description: 2023-24 WSG Keystone Fellowship Position Description (Host Agency: Puget Sound Partnership)

Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to Washington Sea Grant in advance of the application deadline to receive application support and provide notification of their intent to apply: Deborah Purce at sgfellow@uw.edu

Past Keystone Fellowship Projects
2022 WSG Keystone Fellowship host: Port of Seattle – 2022 Fellowship Project Description
2021 WSG Keystone fellowship host: Seattle Aquarium – 2021 Fellowship Project Description
2020 WSG Keystone Fellowship Host: Puget Sound Partnership
2019 WSG Keystone Fellowship Host: Seattle Aquarium

Information for Prospective Fellows
Eligibility
The WSG Keystone Fellowship currently is open to current and recent graduate students who have either recently graduated (January 2021 or later) from Washington universities or who will graduate before the fellowship begins. Some exception can be made for continuing graduate students who can commit to work full-time (40 hours per week) for the duration of the fellowship.

Applicants should be pursuing or have a degree in a marine-related field, including policy, law, social sciences, oceanography, and fishery sciences and marine related technical degrees.

DACA students are eligible to apply.

Black, indigenous and other people of color (BIPOC) as well as representatives of the LGBTQ+ community, and allies are encouraged to apply for this opportunity. All applicants regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, or other demographics should demonstrate awareness of diversity issues and a commitment to the advancement of equity and inclusion.

If you have any questions about this statement or the ability of the program to accommodate disabilities please contact the fellowship program coordinator at sgfellow@uw.edu.

Award
Each fellow will receive an award of $63,500, including a stipend of $60,000 (to cover living costs, health related benefits, and tax related expenses) and a $3,500 professional development budget administered by Washington Sea Grant.

Application Requirements
All applications must include:

  • Resume or curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages; 12 pt. font)
  • Statement of the applicant’s goals with emphasis on interest in, contribution to, and expectations from the fellowship (1,000 words or less; 12 pt. font)
  • Statement of the applicant’s experience and understanding of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion and how it influences the work they hope to do in the future (750 words or less; 12 pt. font)
  • Two letters of recommendation, including one from the applicant’s major professor. If no major professor exists, the faculty member who is most familiar with the applicant’s academic work may be substituted
  • Unofficial copies of all undergraduate and graduate student transcripts

Finalist Selection
Applications will be reviewed by the Washington Sea Grant Fellowships Team. Qualified candidates will be interviewed by the Washington Sea Grant Keystone Fellowship Review Panel. The panel will be convened and facilitated by Washington Sea Grant and made up of demographically and institutionally diverse program partners which may include representatives from Washington institutions of higher education, federal, state, local, and tribal government, NGO’s, industry, faculty and former fellows.

The Review Panel will select finalists who will sit for a second interview with the Washington Sea Grant Fellowship Coordinator and the host office mentor who together will select the WSG Keystone Fellow.

Selection Criteria
Finalists are selected based on the following criteria:

  • Applicability of academic and professional background to the fellowship
  • Lived experiences that will help the applicant contribute to the host office project and to the equity and inclusion goals of the Keystone Fellowship
  • Relevance of professional and education goals
  • Potential impact of the fellowship on future success, as well as personal characteristics such as initiative, leadership, adaptability, communication and analytical skills
  • Support from two letters of recommendation

How to Apply
Washington Sea Grant will be accepting all fellowship applications through our online submission portal, eSeaGrant. If you are new to eSeaGrant you must register for an account using the “Register” tab. Please give yourself plenty of time to complete your application and contact our office if you have questions.

Go To eSeaGrant
Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to Washington Sea Grant in advance of the application deadline to receive application support and provide notification of their intent to apply: Deborah Purce at sgfellow@uw.edu

For more information & to apply
 https://wsg.washington.edu/students-teachers/fellowships/keystone/
https://esg.wsg.washington.edu/index.php