Prospective Fellows

Since 1990, Sea Grant and NMFS have partnered to train students through this joint fellowship program in two specialized areas: population and ecosystem dynamics as well as marine resource economics. Population and ecosystem dynamics involve the study of fish populations and marine ecosystems to better assess fishery stock conditions and dynamics.

The 2024 application period is now closed.

Important Dates

Application information will be available soon.

Selected applicants will be notified in mid-summer 2025

Resources for Prospective Applicants

NMFS-SG Fellowship FAQs

Who is eligible for the NMFS-SG Fellowship?

The NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowships are available to U.S. citizens who are graduate students enrolled in or provisionally accepted to Ph.D. degree programs in academic institutions in the United States and its territories. Only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply. Foreign Nationals are not eligible.

How long is the fellowship?

The fellowship can provide support for up to three years for highly qualified graduate students working towards a Ph.D. in quantitative programs including ecology, ecosystem ecology, population dynamics or related fields of study such as wildlife biology, fishery biology, marine biology, quantitative ecology, applied mathematics, applied statistics, simulation modeling, marine resource economics, natural resource economics, or environmental economics.

How do I apply?

Students should submit applications to a Sea Grant Program. Student applications are due to Sea Grant Programs by 5:00 pm local time on January 25, 2024.

The NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowship Program in Population and Ecosystem Dynamics anticipates funding at least four new Ph.D. fellowships in 2024 to students who are interested in careers related to marine ecosystem and population dynamics. The emphasis will be on the research and development of quantitative methods for assessing the status of marine ecosystems; managed fish, invertebrates, and other targeted species; and marine mammals, seabirds, and other protected species.
The NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowship Program in Marine Resource Economics anticipates funding at least one new Ph.D. fellowship in 2024 to students who are interested in careers related to the development and implementation of quantitative methods for assessing the economics of the conservation and management of living marine resources.

For a list of required application materials and evaluation criteria, see the 2023 NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowship Student Guide.

How does the award work?

The award for each Fellowship, contingent upon the availability of federal funds, will be in the form of a cooperative agreement of up to $62,500 in federal funding plus at least 20% matching funding per year. This fellowship can provide support for up to three years. The award provided to each Fellow is for stipend, tuition, fees, equipment, supplies, and travel necessary to carry out the proposed research and to attend the annual Fellows meeting (at rotating locations).

How can I connect with Sea Grant programs and NOAA Fisheries Science Centers?

Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to the Sea Grant program in their state/territory at least one month prior to the state application deadline to receive application support and provide notification of intent to apply.

Applicants enrolled towards a degree in a graduate program in a state or territory served by a Sea Grant Program must submit to that program. Applicants in states or territories without a Sea Grant program must submit their applications to the Sea Grant program to which they were referred to by the NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowship Program Manager, who can be reached at OAR.SG.Fellows@noaa.gov or (240) 507-3712.

To help achieve the goals of the fellowship, each Fellow will be required to work closely with an expert (mentor) from NOAA Fisheries who may provide data for a fellow’s thesis, serve on the fellow’s committee, and/or host an annual summer internship at the participating NOAA Fisheries facility. Mentors will be from participating NOAA Fisheries Science Centers or offices. Staff lists and recent publications for each of the NOAA Fisheries Science Centers are listed on each Center’s website, linked below. Applicants in the Great Lakes region or in an area without a NOAA Fisheries Science Center may contact a potential mentor whose research aligns with their own.

Alaska Fisheries Science Center (staff, publications); Northwest Fisheries Science Center (staff, publications); Southwest Fisheries Science Center (staff, publications); Northeast Fisheries Science Center (staff, publications), Southeast Fisheries Science Center (staff, publications); Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (publications)

For more information, please contact your local Sea Grant Program or OAR.SG.Fellows@noaa.gov / (240) 507-3712.

Find Your Sea Grant Program

You apply for the NMFS-SG Fellowship through the Sea Grant program in your state. Find your program below. If your state does not have a Sea Grant program, contact the National Sea Grant Office by e-mail or phone (240-507-3712).

Our Sea Grant Programs

The National Sea Grant College program was established by the U.S. Congress in 1966 and works to create and maintain a healthy coastal environment and economy. The Sea Grant network consists of a federal/university partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and 34 university-based programs in every coastal and Great Lakes state, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The network draws on the expertise of more than 3,000 scientists, engineers, public outreach experts, educators and students to help citizens better understand, conserve and utilize America’s coastal resources.