Award
Each fellow will receive an award of $63,500, including an untaxed 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.
Overview
The Washington Sea Grant Hershman Fellowship offers a unique educational opportunity for soon-to-graduate or recently finished graduate students engaged in studies pertaining to ocean and coastal policy issues. This one-year, paid marine policy fellowship matches highly motivated, qualified individuals with host agencies, nonprofits or tribes throughout Washington State. The Washington Sea Grant Hershman Fellowship offers students first-hand experiences in crafting marine and natural resource policies and allows them to share their academic expertise with their host offices.
Eligibility
- The WSG Hershman Fellowship currently is open to graduate students who have recently graduated (within the past two years) from Washington universities and those who will graduate before the fellowship begins.
- 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. Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest and/or some experience in marine science and public policy.
- 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.
Application Requirements
Applications are submitted via the eSeaGrant online submission portal.
- 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)
- 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
Application Deadline: May 5, 2023 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time via eSeaGrant. See below for how to apply.
Finalist Selection
Finalists will be interviewed and selected by the Washington Sea Grant Hershman Fellowship Review Panel. All candidates will be notified in early June regarding the outcome of the panel’s selection process. Finalist are required to attend a Matching Workshop on June 14 & 15, 2023. More finalists are selected than there are host office positions, therefore not all finalists will match as fellows.
Selection Criteria
Finalists are selected based on the following criteria:
- Applicability of academic and professional background to the 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
While required to confirm eligibility, details of student transcripts are not factored into the selection process.
WSG maintains a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, by pursuing diverse perspectives, and enhancing cultural understanding. WSG works to create equitable access to resources and opportunities for Washington’s diverse communities and seeks to incorporate their voices and priorities. WSG’s values are informed by environmental justice and are based in a culture of inclusion, respect, long-term engagement and accountability. Individuals that are historically underrepresented in marine science and policy work are encouraged to apply for this opportunity.
Placement of Fellows
A workshop to match host offices with fellows will take place in Seattle, WA on June 14 & 15, 2023. The workshop includes an orientation, host office presentations, finalist presentations, interviews and fellow matching. There will be more finalists than host office positions, therefore not all finalists will match as fellows. In 2023 the Matching Workshop will most likely be held in-person.
2023 Timeline
- Early February: Call for Hosts released
- March 15: Host applications due
- April 3: Host selection finalized
- April10: Fellowship application opens in eSeaGrant
- May 5: Fellowship applications due
- Early June: Finalists selected; applications shared with participating hosts
- June 14-15: In-Person Matching Workshop
- Week of June 19: Fellowship matches announced
- September 16: Fellowship begins
The WSG Hershman Fellowship Program, like all WSG programs, is guided by and strives to align with the WSG values and principles of partnerships and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Partnerships are a cornerstone of the Sea Grant model. WSG cultivates partnerships by valuing and engaging the priorities, expertise, capabilities, and participation of diverse partners.
WSG collaborates with international, federal, tribal, state and local governments; local communities; businesses; people from academia; K-12 schools and nongovernmental organizations on a wide variety of marine-related research, engagement and education projects. Furthermore, WSG maintains a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, by pursuing diverse perspectives, and enhancing cultural understanding.
WSG works to create equitable access to resources and opportunities for Washington’s diverse communities and seeks to incorporate their voices and priorities. WSG’s values are informed by environmental justice and are based in a culture of inclusion, respect, long-term engagement and accountability. This commitment shapes our organization and its investments, practices and social interactions including the administration of this fellowship program.
2023 Host Offices and Project Descriptions
- Hoh Indian Tribe: Climate Change – Adaptation Planning, Treaty Rights Impacts, and Consultation Guidelines
- Makah Tribe: Furthering the Makah Tribe’s response to oil spills and other threats to coastal and marine resources
- Northwest Seaport Alliance: Clean air, climate solutions, sustainability, and environmental justice
- Puget Sound Partnership: Diverse Opportunities to Support Puget Sound Recovery
- WA Department of Ecology: Washington Coastal and Shoreline Resilience Fellowship
- WA Department of Natural Resources: Watershed and Aquatic Resilience Planning
How to Apply
Washington Sea Grant will be accepting all fellowship applications through our online submission portal, eSeaGrant. eSeaGrant will open to applicants in early April. If you are new to eSeaGrant please give yourself plenty of time to complete your application and contact our office if you have questions. Applications are due to eSeaGrant by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time: May 5, 2023.
For further information please contact:
E-mail: sgfellow@uw.edu