DULUTH and ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Sea Grant College Program seeks host organizations for the second year of our Science and Policy Fellowship. The program helps 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.
The 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 initiative aims to bridge the gap between research and policy by fostering collaboration between emerging scientists and policy-focused organizations.
“Hosting a fellow is a great opportunity to bring new technical expertise to host organizations while building Minnesota's water workforce,” said Minnesota Sea Grant Research and Fellowship Coordinator Alex Frie. “In our first year, mentors reported gaining skilled support that advanced projects faster, brought in fresh ideas, and expanded their team’s capacity. As we launch year two, we’re eager to connect with new hosts who want to work with and support the professional development of our fellows.
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. Fellows will contribute to water resource policy development and implementation.
Prospective hosts are encouraged to register and attend one of the informational webinars to learn more about the fellowship structure, the application process, and the mutual benefits of participation.
The 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.
For more information on becoming a host or to register for the informational webinar, please visit Minnesota Sea Grant's Call for Hosts webpage.
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, [email protected]
John A. Downing, director, Minnesota Sea Grant, University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Duluth, [email protected]
Marie Thoms, communications director, Minnesota Sea Grant, University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Duluth, [email protected]
Image credit: NOAA News 102610.