“For my research, I developed a new computer model that can rapidly and accurately predict the peak water level caused by tropical cyclones and hurricanes to improve coastal resilience.”
– JUN-WHAN L.
Virginia Tech
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Information for Applicants
Fostering a Safe and Welcome Community
VASG is committed to building inclusive research, extension, communication, and education programs that serve people from diverse backgrounds, circumstances, needs, perspectives, and ways of thinking. Diversity includes, but is not limited to; age, disability and/or health status, ethnicity, gender identity, geographic origin, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and/or veteran status.
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 activities are conducted).
Eligibility
Track One: Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time Master’s or professional degree (ex. JD) at a Virginia academic institution prior to the award of the fellowship, no later than Fall 2024.
Track Two: Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time Ph.D. or a doctoral track program at a Virginia academic institution prior to the award of the fellowship, no later than Fall 2024.
All applicants for both tracks must remain in good standing at their academic institution and in compliance with the terms and conditions of the VASG award. Failure to stay in good standing with the student’s academic institution, or an interruption in progress towards your degree (i.e. taking a semester off) may lead to termination of the fellowship. Students may be working toward a degree in any discipline as long as they are engaged in rigorous inquiry and evidence- based knowledge generation or research that is coastal- or marine-related and relevant to VASG’s mission and strategic plan. Previous recipients of a VASG Graduate Fellowship are not eligible to apply.
Fellowship Responsibilites
Selected fellows will:
- Collaborate with a Professional Mentor: Select and work with a professional end-user mentor, including identifying opportunities to execute their professional development plan (see VASG’s Guidance on Fellow-Mentor Relationships).
- Work with VASG’s Professional Development Coordinator: To develop and launch an individual professional development plan, based on their short- and long-term professional goals.
- Collaborate with VASG’s Communication Center: To publicize their scholarship and fellowship activities, including submitting blog posts and sharing story ideas.
- Attend and participate in VASG Events: Including the fellowship orientation meeting; presentation of study findings; community engagement activities; and appropriate professional development offerings.
- Engage in VASG Relevant Inquiry: Fellows must be conducting rigorous inquiry and evidence-based knowledge generation or other research that is coastal- or marine-related.
- Share Milestones: Including defense and graduation dates; at the conclusion of the graduate program. Fellows are required to notify VASG of their graduation dates and submit a digital copy of the final project, thesis, or dissertation.
Upcoming Events
September 20, 3:00PM ET – Informational Webinar – Register Now
Application Process
- Download and complete the fillable PDF application form
- Advisors and Mentors must download and complete recommendation and mentor forms
- Advisors and Mentors submit their forms separately from the student application
- Student completes online registration form and uploads all required documents to complete the application process
Related Documents
- Fellowship Announcement
- Fellowship Application PDF Form
- Professional Mentor Form
- Academic/Professional Recommendation Form
- Guidance on Fellow-Mentor Relationships
- Title Page Template
- 90-4 Budget Form (zip file)
- VASG Budget Justification Guidance
- Sample Budget Justification
- NEPA Questionnaire Document
- NEPA Form Step-by-Step Guide
- Guidelines for Data Management Plans
Contact
INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR
how to apply
For full details, including fellowship requirements, application guidelines, evaluation criteria, and the review and selection process, download the funding announcement. For information on VASG’s goals for fellow-mentor partnerships, as well as important considerations based on past fellow and mentor experiences, refer to VASG’s Guidance on Fellow-Mentor Relationship. All of the above documents can be found in the sidebar of this page under Related Documents.
Application Submission
Applications must be submitted online via the Virginia Sea Grant Applications Portal. All elements, including recommendation letters, must be submitted by the deadline. VASG will not accept late applications under any circumstances (e.g., internet delays), so please allow ample time to submit your applications in advance of the deadline.
Recommendation Forms
Two recommendations (academic and professional) must be submitted in support of the student. To maintain confidentiality, VASG requires that recommendations NOT be submitted with the student’s application, but rather requested and input through the Virginia Sea Grant Applications Portal independently. The forms must be submitted before the deadline.
Identifying Potential Mentors
A mentor can be from the public, private, or non-profit sector. Students are encouraged to review the examples of past fellow-mentor partnerships below, and review the VASG website to learn about our extension partners. VASG encourages applicants to reach out to potential mentors early in the application process to discuss your mutual goals, develop a rapport, and identify emerging opportunities.
Katherine L.
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Maura B.
Old Dominion University
Jennifer B.
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Arslaan K.
George Mason University
Mentors do not need to be extension agents, educators, or communicators with Sea Grant or the Cooperative Extension program. However, they can be a great resource for connections to potential mentors.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND CONTACT
VASG can provide assistance to applicants in identifying potential mentors, discussing the mentor’s roles and responsibilities, and answering questions regarding the goals of the fellow-mentor relationship.
Email: vasg@vaseagrant.org
“It was very interesting to see the reception of the feedback from local communities. Talking with local organizations was very meaningful. What we are studying and what we are asking may impact their lives and the quality of local waterways that local communities really value.”
– MIGUEL S.
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Tentative Fellowship Completion Timeline
- Fellowship announcement released: September 1, 2024
- Applications are due to VASG: 11:59 p.m. EST on December 13, 2024
- Stage 1 – Relevancy review: January/February 2025
- Stage 2 – Review panel: March 2025
- Stage 3 – Candidate interviews: March/April 2025
- Notification of results: April 2025
- Awards begin: September 1, 2025
Award Information
Contingent upon available federal funding, fellowships are available for up to two years, and provide an award of up to $40,000 per year to support the student’s academic expenses. The start date for the fellowship is September 1, 2025. VASG expects to fund up to eight fellowships for the 2025–2027 academic years.
VASG-funded projects require a 50 percent funding match (i.e., budgets must show $1 of match for every $2 of Sea Grant funding requested). Only non-Federal funds may be committed as matching contribution. VASG will make all awards to the student’s primary faculty advisor, who must be listed as the principal investigator (PI) on the fellowship application.
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