• APPLICATION OPENS: JULY 1, 2020
  • DEADLINE: JULY 29, 2020
  • See the Information for Prospective Fellows section below for application instructions.

Overview

The goal of the Washington Sea Grant Keystone Fellowship program is to broaden participation 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 recruiting, retaining and engaging students who are underrepresented in these 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.

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.

In 2020 this one-year paid fellowship will place a Keystone Fellow with mentor, Nathalie Hamel of the Puget Sound Partnership. See the 2020 WSG Keystone Fellowship Project Description here.

Information for Prospective Fellows 

Eligibility

  • The WSG Keystone Fellowship currently is open to graduate students who have recently graduated 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.
  • 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 coordinator at sgfellow@uw.edu.

Award

For a one year, graduate level fellowship, fellows will receive an award of $51,500 including a stipend of $48,000 to cover living costs and health care and $3,500 for conference attendance, professional development, and other non-commute work-related travel.

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 commitment to the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the management and study of marine resources or related industries (500 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

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Finalist SelectionApplications 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:

  • Community and extracurricular activities, communication and analytical skills
  • Lived experiences that will help the applicant contribute to the host office project and to the equity and inclusion goals of the Keystone Fellowship
  • Support from two letters of recommendation
  • Academic record, employment-based experience, career and education goals

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.

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