Minnesota Sea Grant Science & Policy Fellowship

Program Summary

Minnesota needs scientists skilled in navigating the interface of science and policy to address modern water resource challenges, including mitigating severe weather impacts, improving water quality, and managing invasive species. 

To address this need at the state level, we developed the Minnesota Sea Grant Science and Policy Fellowship program. The program aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and water resource policy development and implementation by placing current and recent graduate students (fellows) in host organizations to help those organizations tackle water resource issues critical to Minnesotans. 

The program is a one-year, full-time, paid fellowship for current and recent graduate students. 

MNSG Science and Policy Fellows will work with and receive mentorship from hosts such as state agencies, legislative committees, tribal agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Fellows will receive training from the host, and Fellows will help support the host’s work on a project related to water resource science and/or policy. 

Our Science and Policy Fellowship program is one way MNSG seeks to help meet Minnesota’s science-policy workforce needs, support a pipeline of professionals ready to address complex environmental challenges, and contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of the state’s water resources.

Fellowship Information 

The MNSG Science and Policy Fellowship Program is a one-year, full-time, paid fellowship for current and recent graduate students. Fellows will be selected through a competitive process administered by Minnesota Sea Grant. During the fellowship, fellows will work full time with a host organization on water resource issues critical to Minnesotans.

  • 2025-2026 Fellowship Period: July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 
  • Fellow Stipend: $55,000 
  • Professional Development Funds: $2,500 
  • Eligibility: Applicants must be current graduate students or recent graduates from a Minnesota-based graduate program. Additional eligibility details will be provided when the 2025-2026 application period opens. 

Fellowship Application 

The fellowship application for the 2025-2026 cohort will open fall 2024. Interested prospective fellows should complete the Minnesota Sea Grant Fellowship Interest Form. 

Fellowship Positions 

Fellowship positions will be selected through a competitive process detailed in a call for hosts. After hosts are selected, the fellowship positions will be posted here (anticipated posting in January 2025). 

Fellowship Host Information

Interested in becoming a host organization for a MNSG Science and Policy Fellow? Go to Call for Hosts: Minnesota Sea Grant Science & Policy Fellowship

Funding

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.

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