Overview
The Washington Sea Grant Keystone Fellowship offers a unique career development opportunity for recent graduates of masters or Ph.D programs in ocean, coastal and policy issues. In fall 2023, this one-year, paid fellowship will place a Keystone Fellow with the Seattle Aquarium with primary mentorship by ​​Riley Pollom (Species Recovery Program Manager) and co-mentorship from Jasmine Williams (Connections Program Manager) and Erin Meyer (Vice President of Conservation Programs and Partnerships).

The Fellow will work primarily on science and/or policy projects with an additional emphasis on work related to the advancement of environmental justice, social justice, racial equity, and inclusion in these professional spaces and/or the programs they operate. 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. 

The program seeks to recruit students who are underrepresented in marine science and policy fields, especially Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) as well as representatives of the LGBTQ+ community and allies.

2023 Keystone Fellowship Project
Seattle Aquarium: Tribal and Community Engagement in Support of Pinto Abalone Conservation and Recovery 

2023 Timeline

  • May 15: Fellowship Application Opens
  • June 21: Fellowship Application Due
  • Late June/Early July: Finalist Interviews and Fellow Selection
  • September 16: Fellowship Begins
    Fellowship Dates: September 16, 2023 – September 15, 2024

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

Application Requirements
All applications must include:

  1. Resume or curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages; 12 pt. font)
  2. 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) 
  3. 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)
  4. 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
  5. Unofficial copies of all undergraduate and graduate student transcripts

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.

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

For more information: https://wsg.washington.edu/students-teachers/fellowships/keystone/
For questions, contact: Deborah Purce