Overview
The Washington Sea Grant Coastal Resilience Fellowship offers a unique educational opportunity for early or shifting career professionals to provide additional capacity for coastal communities around coastal resilience. Highly motivated, qualified individuals are teamed with mentors in a host office for two years, working on coastal resilience-related projects. Eligible host organizations include Tribes, local nonprofits, municipalities, special districts, conservation districts, and other local entities working on projects focused on coastal resilience. Hosts provide mentorship, supervision, and opportunities for fellows that support their professional and educational goals. Through collaborative work planning, fellows’ projects will build capacity and provide tangible results for host organizations.
The two-year, paid fellowship program is driven by coastal communities’ most urgent and critical areas of focus around coastal resilience. Washington Sea Grant works to provide assistance to coastal communities in defining project scopes and criteria for prospective fellows. Criteria for potential fellows and subsequent outreach efforts are dependent on the project focus.
The inaugural cohort of this fellowship will focus on Washington’s Pacific Coast, but future cohorts may work on projects in some of the 15 coastal counties of Washington. There is also opportunity for the initial cohort of fellows to contribute to projects that support work in other coastal communities, if there are natural synergies that benefit all involved. Additionally, prospective fellows with experience living, working, learning along the Pacific Coast are prioritized.
The Washington Sea Grant Coastal Resilience Fellowship Program aims to:
- Provide tailored coastal resilience support to coastal communities through intentional capacity building,
- Develop fellows’ pathways for careers in coastal resilience through project-based learning with their host organization, mentorship, and professional learning, and
- Nurture a vibrant coastal resilience network of partnerships.
The WSG Coastal Resilience Fellowship is funded by the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge through the Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Please be advised that this fellowship program is contingent upon the availability and allocation of federal funds.
Please see a recording of a host organization information session regarding the Coastal Resilience Fellowship below.
For Hosts – Application & Interest Form
- Host Organization Eligibility: Tribes, local nonprofits, municipalities, special districts, conservation districts, and other local entities working on projects focused on coastal resilience on the Pacific Coast
- Host Application: The application is three pages long and includes requests for general host organization information, project information, and details about the fellow’s experience. Please provide your final responses within the Google Form. The application for the 2025-27 host cohort is CLOSED.
- Interest Form: For potential host organizations that may be working on coastal resilience projects, but aren’t sure or ready to apply as a host, please share your interest via the below form. Feel free also to reach out to the WSG Resilience Fellowship Specialist, Becky Bronstein, at beckyb23@uw.edu, to discuss opportunities.
FAQs for Host Organizations
It’s at no cost to the host organization to host a fellow. If a host organization may have funds available to support equipment, travel, or professional development opportunities, they are always welcome, but not required.
We recognize and respect that coastal communities interpret coastal resilience in different ways, and we encourage potential hosts to articulate their vision for resilience projects in alignment with their community’s vision/priorities. For the purposes of this fellowship, coastal resilience can include engagement, planning, and preparing for, designing, or implementing projects that help to address coastal hazards like sea level rise, flooding, erosion, and tsunami. Projects may encompass topics related to coastal hazards and climate adaptations, including, but not limited to, relocation efforts, vulnerability assessments, feasibility studies, community engagement plans and outreach, resilience strategies, planning and policy development, communications and education, and community cultural climate resilience efforts. We encourage hosts to think about coastal resilience holistically – for example, a project that addresses immediate or emerging hazards in a manner that also benefits community members, local economies, and the environment.
The inaugural cohort will focus on local organizations on WA’s Pacific Coast working on coastal resilience projects, but organizations in other WA coastal geographies are still eligible and welcome to apply.
If you’re interested in participating in the program, but might not have the capacity for a full-time fellow and/or if your organization has natural synergies with another organization, co-hosting might be an option for you. You’re welcome to submit a collaborative application and/or reach out to me, if you’d like to explore this more. If your organization is a state or federal entity, you also are encouraged to connect with a local organization and work together on a host application. There is no requirement or additional likelihood of selection for co-hosting.
For Fellows – How To Apply
See the “For Prospective Fellows” tab below for application instructions and to access the eSeaGrant application portal. The application information will be updated by Mid-May 2025.
Award
In 2025, each fellow will receive a total award of $80,000, including a stipend of $75,000 to cover living expenses, required health care coverage in accordance with federal law, and tax related expenses (e.g. paying taxes, tax preparation services, etc.) and a $5,000 professional development budget (e.g. trainings, online courses, conferences, and related travel expenses) administered by Washington Sea Grant. Washington Sea Grant is committed to providing any resources we can as well as facilitating connections with fellow alumni as applicable.
In the second year of the 2025-2027 cohort, each fellow will receive an award of $83,000, including a stipend of $78,000 and a $5,000 professional development budget.
Values Statement
The WSG Coastal Resilience Fellowship Program, like all WSG programs, adheres to a set of core values focused on achieving positive environmental and societal impact. It seeks to forge tools, foster insights, build capacity and invest in relationships for sustainable management, enjoyment and use of Washington’s marine resources to support safe and prosperous fisheries and aquaculture, rich cultural and maritime heritage, resilient communities, and biologically diverse ecosystems. Facilitating practical and collaborative solutions to today’s ocean and coastal issues, WSG supports a culture of scientific integrity and serves as a trusted source of place-based information and real-world expertise that honors the history, people and places of Washington.
WSG seeks to create access to resources and opportunities for everyone in Washington, and to incorporate the breadth of the state’s perspectives and priorities in all that we do. WSG’s work is based on a culture of trust, respect, partnerships and accountability. Specifically, WSG strives to:
- ensure the right of all people to live and work in a clean environment;
- create fair access to natural resources, opportunities, decision-making processes and protection from environmental hazards;
- foster learning by encouraging open, honest and respectful exchange that honors differences in experience, background, interests and values;
- build community and collaboration by valuing and engaging with the priorities, expertise, capabilities, and participation of diverse partners; and
- create a welcoming work environment, so that each person and group feels respected, valued and safe.
Application Information for Hosts and Fellows
Instructions on how to apply to participate as a WSG Coastal Resilience Fellowship Host office or apply to be a Fellow.
Host Office Application Information
The Washington Sea Grant (WSG) Coastal Resilience Fellowship program welcomes participation from Tribes, local nonprofits, municipalities, special districts, conservation districts, and other local entities working on projects focused on coastal resilience. Interested host offices are invited to apply to WSG.
WSG Coastal Resilience Fellows are teamed with mentors in a host office for two years, working on coastal resilience projects. Prospective hosts are expected to mentor, supervise and provide opportunities for fellows to be involved in substantive issues that support their professional and educational goals. The experience provides fellows with a unique perspective on coastal resilience and allows them to share their lived, learned, and work experience with their host offices. In their application, hosts are welcome to share if their capacity better suits working with a fellow part-time across their two-year fellowship, as well as their preferred work set-up with their fellow (in-person, hybrid, remote).
Host/Mentor Expectations
- Matching Process – Hosts will have the opportunity to review finalists’ applications and participate in interviews. Host involvement may be adjusted based on capacity.
- Onboarding – WSG will support general onboarding of the fellows, including an overview of Washington Sea Grant, logistical items regarding their award, and orientation to general systems and practices to support their fellowship. The host/mentors will provide onboarding regarding their organization, as well as on the ground support for coastal resilience projects. Note: Depending on the project and experience, expect several months of onboarding until the fellow can move from knowledge gathering to contribution for a given project.
- Ongoing Check-ins/Project(s) Support – Hosts/mentors will be encouraged to solidify regular check-ins (ex. weekly) with fellows depending on project scope and workflow.
- Professional Development Support – Hosts/mentors are encouraged to identify professional development opportunities for fellows and co-create a professional learning plan with their fellow. The WSG Resilience Fellowship Specialist will support solidifying this plan. The fellow will have professional development funds to support professional development opportunities.
- Reflection – Hosts/mentors are encouraged to support fellows in ongoing reflection. Additionally, hosts/mentors are encouraged to share ideas for improving the fellowship at any time. Towards the end of the two-year fellowship, fellows and hosts/mentors will dedicate additional time to process and reflect on their experience.
Click Here to Access the 2025 Host Application
Host Application Includes the Following Elements:
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- Host Organization Information + Mentor/Co-Mentor Information: Provide your organizations the name and address (where fellow’s office space would be located, if in-person) + Provide the name, title, and contact information for the individual who would serve as the fellow’s primary mentor and supervisor. This individual will take the lead on fellow onboarding, supervision of work, and will provide essential fellowship related mentorship (coaching, professional development). Additionally, provide the name, title and contact information for any other key fellowship co-mentors.
- Project Description: Project title, description, current status, project lead and team, needs, timeline, goals, additional projects (if applicable), organizational values.
- Project overview including any specific tasks, timelines, partners or major project components. Projects should be specific however, it is okay to include descriptions of more than one potential project if applicable. For all projects we encourage hosts to build in some amount of flexibility to align project activities with your fellow’s individual skills and interests. Please note that some former fellows have felt that their host organization provided too many options/possibilities and a lack of clear direction or well defined project goals presented challenges.
- Mentorship, Professional Development and Networking: Describe the key mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities that will be available to the fellow through your organization or external partners.
- Professional Development, Onboarding, and Workplace Considerations: Professional development opportunities for the fellow, fellow working location, supports for housing, equipment, travel considerations, need for background checks or security clearances. Please note, responses within this section are considerations for host selection, not requirements. We aim to create a supportive network for hosts and fellows to be successful so it’s okay if not all aspects of these questions are determined.
Acceptance of a Host Application Will be Based on the Following Criteria:
- The perceived ability of the fellowship project(s) and mentorship opportunity to make a positive impact for coastal communities and the fellow.
- Examples include fellow projects that provide opportunities for lasting change within a coastal community or opportunities for fellows to develop and further partnerships throughout the region. This might also look like fellows meeting an essential need that is important to the host organization.
- The focus of the project(s) on coastal resilience efforts on Washington’s Pacific Coast.
- The inaugural year of this fellowship will focus on Washington’s Pacific Coast, but future cohorts may work on projects in some of the 15 coastal counties of Washington. There is also opportunity for the initial cohort of fellows to contribute to projects that support work in other coastal communities, if there are natural synergies that benefit all involved.
- We recognize and respect that coastal communities interpret coastal resilience in different ways, and we encourage potential hosts to articulate their vision for resilience projects in alignment with their community’s vision/priorities. For the purposes of this fellowship, coastal resilience can include engagement, planning, and preparing for, designing, or implementing projects that help to address coastal hazards like sea level rise, flooding, erosion, and tsunami. Projects may encompass topics related to coastal hazards and climate adaptations, including, but not limited to, relocation efforts, vulnerability assessments, feasibility studies, community engagement plans and outreach, resilience strategies, planning and policy development, communications and education, and community cultural climate resilience efforts. We encourage hosts to think about coastal resilience holistically – for example, a project that addresses immediate or emerging hazards in a manner that also benefits community members, local economies, and the environment.
- Please note that any projects that include ground disturbance and are not also part of projects funded through the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge may be subject to project scoping adjustments or additional federal environmental review procedures. Please reach out to Becky Bronstein at beckyb23@uw.edu with any questions.
- The level of educational and professional development benefits and opportunities for the fellow provided by the host.
- Alignment of project with WSG goals and values as listed above.
Review the timeline at the top of this webpage for key dates.
Fellow Selection
Fellowship applications will be submitted to WSG, and a review panel will recommend finalists based on an evaluation of academic and professional background, career and education goals, community and extracurricular activities, potential impact of the fellowship on future success, as well as personal characteristics such as initiative, leadership, adaptability, communication and analytical skills. For the inaugural year, the review committee will aim to incorporate the selected hosts to ensure a successful matching process. WSG selects up to five WSG Coastal Resilience Fellows (depending on size of candidate pool and number of host offerings).
WSG plans to hold a mandatory work planning workshop between hosts and fellows. The timing and set up of the workshop will be determined based on final host and fellow assignments.
The length of a fellowship assignment is two years and is not renewable. WSG will administer monthly stipend payments and will manage a discretionary professional development budget for each fellow. Once selected, hosts will need to work with Washington Sea Grant to put in place an interagency agreement (i.e. a funding contract) for each fellowship award prior to the start of fellowships in September. The fellowship contracts will begin in early September. Fellows may not start work until the contract is in place.
Fellowship Expenses: “How Much Does it Cost to Host a Fellow?”
There is no cost to the host office to participate in the WSG Coastal Resilience Fellowship. However, if the host office is able to provide financial support for any necessary work equipment (ex. laptop), travel expenses, additional professional development funds or other miscellaneous expenses, that is greatly appreciated.
Contact Information
For more information or if you have questions about becoming a host, please contact the WSG Resilience Fellowship Specialist, Becky Bronstein, at beckyb23@uw.edu.
Prospective Fellow Information
Eligibility
- Residence: The WSG Coastal Resilience Fellowship will require fellows to live in or close to the host communities where they are placed in western Washington. With this in mind, applicants who currently reside at the time of submitting their application in Washington or live in the Pacific region (states include Oregon, Alaska, California, Hawaii, Guam) will be given priority. Applicants who graduated from a Washington state high school, community college, technical college or university will also be given priority. Applicants who do not fit this criteria are still eligible to apply.
- Education: At minimum, the Coastal Resilience Fellowship requires an Associate Degree. Please review each position description for specific additional education requirements. Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest and/or some experience in coastal resilience or related topics.
- The WSG Coastal Resilience Fellowship will be open to individuals who have skills, work and lived experience that can support capacity building for coastal communities around coastal resilience.
Who is Encouraged to Apply?
- Individuals who…
- Have lived, worked, or learned on Washington’s Pacific Coast and/or have coastal resilience experience from other coastal regions.
- Are early or shifting in their career and looking to develop professionally in coastal resilience.
- Are looking to contribute their capacity, skills, and experience to coastal communities on coastal resilience projects.
- DACA students are eligible to apply.
- Black, Indigenous, and other people of Color (BIPOC) as well as representatives of the LGBTQ+ community, and allies are encouraged to apply for this opportunity.
Application Requirements
Applications are submitted via the eSeaGrant online submission portal.
- Resume or curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages; 12 pt. font)
- Personal Statement (500 words or less, 12 pt. font)
- Position Preference Statement(s) (300 words or less) and Ranking (if applicable)
- Two Reference Forms – Applicants must submit two reference forms using the template provided.
- One form should be from someone who has supervised the applicant in either a professional or academic role (e.g. employer, work manager, academic advisor, research mentor, or similar).
- The other form should come from someone who knows the candidate well and can speak to their qualifications for this position, this can be someone who was a supervisor or does not have to be.
- Copies of all undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate student transcripts (unofficial transcripts are welcome). While required to confirm eligibility, details of student transcripts are not factored into the selection process.
Finalist Selection
Finalists will be selected for an interview by the Washington Sea Grant Coastal Resilience Fellowship Review Team. All candidates will be notified in late June regarding the outcome of the panel’s selection process. The review team will conduct the interviews along with representation from the host offices. Interviews will take place virtually July 8-10. Selected fellows will be notified in mid-July.
Selection Criteria
Finalists are selected based on the following criteria:
- How the fellowship would support applicant’s career pathway and further their development as a professional
- How the applicant’s lived, learned, and work experience will support coastal communities
- How the applicant has experience or shown interest in working with a variety of stakeholders
- An understanding and/or willingness to learn of varied governance structures and relevant policies
- Strong communication skills
- Relevant employment, volunteer, extracurricular activities, and/or lived experience to the fellowship
- Alignment and relevance of skills and experience to preferred positions
- Support from two references
WSG is dedicated to expanding opportunities and increasing access to coastal careers for individuals from all backgrounds. By fostering collaboration, building relationships, and sharing knowledge, WSG works to ensure that Washington’s coastal communities, industries, and ecosystems benefit from a wide range of perspectives and expertise. Guided by a culture of respect, trust, and accountability, WSG supports an inclusive and dynamic learning environment that values long-term engagement and meaningful participation.
The Washington Sea Grant Coastal Resilience Fellowship is open to all qualified individuals and is committed to broadening participation in coastal resilience work, including for those who have faced systemic barriers to education and career advancement in marine, ocean and coastal fields.
Orientation & Learning Institute
Washington Sea Grant strongly encourages all Coastal Resilience Fellows, along with other fellows, to attend a weeklong orientation and learning institute the week of September 15-19, 2025. Details of this week will be shared upon selection into the program.
How to Apply
Washington Sea Grant will be accepting all fellowship applications through our online submission portal, eSeaGrant. eSeaGrant will open to applicants in May. If you are new to eSeaGrant please give yourself plenty of time to complete your application and contact our office if you have questions.
Tips for writing personal statements, CV’s, and interviewing for Sea Grant fellowships [PDF]
For further information please contact:
Becky Bronstein, Resilience Fellowship Specialist, beckyb23@uw.edu