Applications Open for 2026 Sea Grant-APNEP Graduate Fellowship in Estuarine Research
North Carolina Sea Grant, Virginia Sea Grant, and the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership are accepting applications for the 2026 Graduate Fellowship in Estuarine Research. Applications are due by Monday, November 23, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
The fellowship provides funding for graduate students based in North Carolina and Virginia to conduct hypothesis-based research within the APNEP management area located in the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System.
For North Carolina students, the fellowship will start on February 1, 2027, and last 25 months, providing $10,000 per year for the duration of the fellowship, $20,000 in total. For Virginia students, the fellowship will start on February 1, 2027, and last 13 months, providing $10,000 for the duration of the fellowship.
“APNEP is science-based in its operations, relying on relevant basic and applied research to guide efforts in understanding, protecting, and restoring the Albemarle-Pamlico region’s natural resources,” says Tim Ellis, APNEP’s quantitative ecologist. “We’re excited to continue partnering with North Carolina Sea Grant and to now also partner with Virginia Sea Grant on this research fellowship opportunity to support estuarine science in the region and to help connect that science to conservation and management.”
“These opportunities empower students with hands-on experience and professional networks that propel their careers while delivering science-backed solutions that strengthen our coastal communities and economies.”
— Mona Behl, director of Virginia Sea Grant
Graduate students must propose hypothesis-based research that addresses one or more of the following broad focus areas:
- Low and High Salinity Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV)
- Coastal Water Quality
- Ecological Flows
- Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
- Coastal Wetlands
- Oyster Recovery and Restoration
- Innovative Technologies and Approaches
Proposed work should relate to the APNEP Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, either or both NC Sea Grant’s Strategic Plan and VA Sea Grant’s Strategic Plan, as well as any other state/local research needs.
Aman Kohli, North Carolina Sea Grant’s research and program coordinator, notes that this fellowship provides an invaluable opportunity to collaborate with key partners and train the next generation of coastal leaders to address cross-boundary challenges with a unique watershed-wide perspective.
“Partnerships are at the heart of how NC Sea Grant drives meaningful coastal science and management,” says Kohli. “Collaborating with APNEP has consistently allowed us to deliver research that directly benefits our coastal ecosystems and communities, and bringing Virginia Sea Grant on board as a partner marks an exciting evolution for the fellowship.”
The fellowship strongly encourages proposals from graduate students of all backgrounds and abilities. Those in good academic standing, attending an accredited North Carolina or Virginia university or college, are eligible to apply.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with North Carolina Sea Grant and APNEP on this fellowship,” says Mona Behl, Virginia Sea Grant’s director. “These opportunities empower students with hands-on experience and professional networks that propel their careers while delivering science-backed solutions that strengthen our coastal communities and economies.”
Complete instructions, including more information on focus areas for these proposals, are available on the fellowship page. All applications must be completed by 5 p.m. ET on November 23 through the eSeaGrant portal: go.ncsu.edu/ncesg.
For more information, contact Aman Kohli (akkohli@ncsu.edu), Mona Behl (mbehl@vaseagrant.org), or Tim Ellis (tim.ellis@deq.nc.gov).
Story by Carrie Clower | North Carolina Sea Grant
Photo by Jay Clark | Virginia Sea Grant
Originally Published Oct. 1, 2026
Republished with Permission on October 1, 2026
