Duluth, Minn. – The fellowship application is now open for the 2026-2027 cohort of the Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG) Science and Policy Fellowship Program.
The MNSG Science and Policy Fellowship is a one-year, full-time, paid program for current and recent graduate students. Fellows will be placed with host organizations, including state agencies, legislative committees, tribal agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Through mentorship and training, fellows will support host organizations on projects related to water resource science and policy.
The program provides fellows an opportunity to gain real-world experience, while host organizations benefit from the expertise of highly trained scientists.
Webinar. Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend an informational webinar on the Minnesota Sea Grant Science and Policy Fellowship on December 9, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register.
Program Details.
- Application deadline: February 5, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. CT
- Fellowship Period: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
- Stipend: $55,000
- Professional Development Funds: $2,500
- Eligibility: Applicants must be currently enrolled in, or have graduated after July 1, 2024, from a master’s, Ph.D., or J.D. program at an accredited U.S. institution. Preference will be given to Minnesota residents or applicants who attend(ed) a graduate program located in Minnesota. Foreign nationals are eligible to apply; however, some hosts may be unable to accept non-U.S. citizens as fellows. Non-U.S. citizens are responsible for obtaining the appropriate visa that permits participation in the fellowship.
Application Information. Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort are now open and must be submitted through Minnesota Sea Grant's web portal eSeaGrant by 11:59 p.m. CT on February 5, 2026. Application details on the Minnesota Sea Grant Science and Policy Fellowship webpage.
Questions? Submit the Minnesota Sea Grant Fellowship Interest Form to get more information and to ask questions.
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.
Minnesota Sea Grant is a systemwide program of the University of Minnesota and one of 34 federal-university Sea Grant partnerships across the country supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Great Lakes and coastal states that encourage the wise stewardship of our marine resources through research, outreach, communication, education and technology transfer.
CONTACT
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].