“We’re trying to encourage folks that are just getting out of graduate school that are in resource management programs to identify state and federal resource management jobs as potential career tracks because we feel like we need newer, younger folks to get into this field.”
– Tony Watkinson
Habitat Management Division Chief, VMRC
Receive on-the-job training and hone your professional skills while improving the stewardship of the Commonwealth’s coastal and marine resources. This fellowship develops and supports post-graduates by partnering them with a state or local government host office mentor. The program also aims to increase the capacity of the host offices by supporting fellows who are working on mission-relevant programs, and leveraging the knowledge and capacity of Virginia’s academic institutions.
Past-participating offices include:
Past projects and assignments include:
VASG does not tolerate any form of misconduct, discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct (e.g. sexual assault within its organization, at awardee organizations, field sites, meetings, or anywhere VASG-funded research, outreach and education are conducted).
Each office listed below has expressed interest in hosting a fellow during the 2025 fellowship year. Additional host offices and projects may be added before the fellowship application deadline. Click below to download a PDF of the full office and project descriptions.
Project: Building Capacity to Implement the Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan
Project: Building Virginia's Voluntary Wetlands Restoration Workforce
Project: Municipal Dredging and Coastal Resilience Internship
Commonwealth Fellows work alongside mentors in their host office to address pressing coastal and marine resource issues, while learning about the policy and management process occurring at the state level. This experience and knowledge have positioned past fellows to be highly competitive for opportunities at the conclusion of the fellowship year. The majority of our alumni have accepted full-time positions at Virginia agencies.
BEN N.
The Nature Conservancy
SHURUI Z.
Office of the Secretary of Natural Resources
LAUREN P.
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
CLAY F.
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Virginia Sea Grant, the Virginia Environmental Endowment, and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program anticipate supporting up to three post-graduate fellows for the 2025 Commonwealth Coastal & Marine Policy Fellowship.
Length: 12-month fellowship assignment
Start Date: October 1, 2025
Funding: $43,000 stipend, $5,000 for critical expenses and professional development activities
CONTACT
vasg@vaseagrant.org • 804-684-7167
Stay up-to-date on fellowship, internship, and research funding opportunities offered by Virginia Sea Grant.
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Stay up-to-date on fellowship, internship, training, and research funding opportunities offered by Virginia Sea Grant.
