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) within 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 and recent graduate students who graduated after July 1, 2023. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Preference will be given to Minnesota residents or applicants who attend(ed) a graduate program located in Minnesota.
• 2025-2026 fellowship position descriptions:
  • St. Louis County: Facilitating Stream Restoration
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Water Resources Sustainability
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Aquatic Invasive Species 

2025-2026 Fellowship Application 

The fellowship application for the 2025-2026 cohort is now open. Fellowship applications are due 11:59 p.m. CT on February 27, 2025, and should be submitted through eSeaGrant. 

Fellowship Application 

1. Curriculum vitae (max length two pages using 12 pt font).
2. Personal and career statement (1000 words or less) which describes the following:
   1. The applicant’s interest in applying science and policy for the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of Minnesota’s water resources.
   2. Technical skills and other attributes the applicant would contribute to the fellowship.
   3. How participation in the program would support the applicant’s career goals.
3. Two letters of recommendation: including one from the applicant’s principal professor. If no principal professor exists, the faculty member who is most familiar with the applicant’s academic work may be substituted.
4. Transcripts: Copies of all undergraduate and graduate student transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. 

2025-2026 Fellowship Application Review 

1. Finalist Selection: Applications will be reviewed by Minnesota Sea Grant Staff and/or external reviewers. Applicants may be invited for short virtual interviews. Finalists will be chosen based on reviews of application materials and interviews.
2. Finalist Matching: Finalists and hosts will be invited to a host-fellow matching workshop in April or May 2025. Not all finalists will be matched with hosts.

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.