DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Sea Grant College Program is excited to announce the creation of a new statewide Science and Policy Fellowship, designed to connect graduate students with natural resource organizations and agencies.
The Science and Policy Fellowship will place current and recent graduate students (fellows) in full-time, one-year paid positions with host organizations, where they will apply their scientific expertise to critical water resource issues affecting Minnesotans.
"This fellowship program aims to develop a skilled workforce capable of addressing Minnesota’s pressing water resource challenges, such as severe weather impacts, water quality improvement, and invasive species management," said Minnesota Sea Grant Research and Fellowship Coordinator Alex Frie.
This initiative aims to bridge the gap between research and policy by fostering collaboration between emerging scientists and policy-focused organizations. Minnesota Sea Grant anticipates placing at least four fellows in the inaugural 2025-2026 cohort.
An informational webinar for interested host organizations will be held on November 14, 2024, from 11 a.m. to noon CT. Prospective hosts are encouraged to register and attend to learn more about the fellowship structure, the application process, and the mutual benefits of participation.
Call for Host Organizations
Minnesota Sea Grant invites applications from state, municipal, and county agencies, legislative committees, tribal agencies, and nonprofit organizations throughout Minnesota to serve as hosts for these fellows. Host organizations will have the opportunity to benefit from the scientific and analytical skills of fellows as they tackle complex environmental challenges alongside staff, contributing to water resource policy development and implementation.
This fellowship program aims to build a workforce prepared to address Minnesota’s science-policy needs, support a pipeline of professionals ready to handle environmental challenges, and contribute to the long-term health and sustainability of Minnesota’s water resources.
FUNDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). The Trust Fund is a permanent fund constitutionally established by the citizens of Minnesota to assist in the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Minnesota Sea Grant is a systemwide program of the University of Minnesota and one of 34 Sea Grant federal-university partnerships across the country that bring applied water science to communities. MNSG has staff and offices on the Duluth and St. Paul campuses. Our extension educators, researchers, and communicators work with community members, local decision-makers, policy leaders, and personnel from resource agencies, business, and industry to enhance the use and conservation of Great Lakes and Minnesota’s inland water resources to create strong and sustainable economies, healthy environments, and resilient and inclusive communities.
CONTACTS:
Alex Frie, research and fellowship coordinator, Minnesota Sea Grant, University of Minnesota, and University of Minnesota Duluth, afrie@umn.edu
Marie Thoms, communications director, Minnesota Sea Grant, University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Duluth, methoms@d.umn.edu
Image credit: UMN Duluth