Washington Sea Grant Hershman Fellowship

Overview

The Washington Sea Grant Hershman Fellowship offers a unique educational opportunity for soon-to-graduate or recently finished graduate students engaged in studies pertaining to ocean and coastal policy issues. This one-year, paid marine policy fellowship matches highly motivated, qualified individuals with host agencies, nonprofits or tribes throughout Washington State. The Washington Sea Grant Hershman Fellowship offers students first-hand experiences in crafting marine and natural resource policies and allows them to share their academic expertise with their host offices.

2023 Timeline

  • Early February: Call for Hosts released
  • March 15: Host applications due
  • April 3: Host selection finalized
  • April10: Fellowship application opens in eSeaGrant
  • May 5: Fellowship applications due
  • Early June: Finalists selected; applications shared with participating hosts
  • June 14-15: Virtual Matching Workshop
  • Week of June 19: Fellowship matches announced
  • September 16: Fellowship begins

 

The WSG Hershman Fellowship Program, like all WSG programs, is guided by and strives to align with the WSG values and principles of partnerships and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Partnerships are a cornerstone of the Sea Grant model. WSG cultivates partnerships by valuing and engaging the priorities, expertise, capabilities, and participation of diverse partners.

WSG collaborates with international, federal, tribal, state and local governments; local communities; businesses; people from academia; K-12 schools and nongovernmental organizations on a wide variety of marine-related research, engagement and education projects. Furthermore, WSG maintains a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, by pursuing diverse perspectives, and enhancing cultural understanding.

WSG works to create equitable access to resources and opportunities for Washington’s diverse communities and seeks to incorporate their voices and priorities. WSG’s values are informed by environmental justice and are based in a culture of inclusion, respect, long-term engagement and accountability. This commitment shapes our organization and its investments, practices and social interactions including the administration of this fellowship program.

Application Information for Hosts and Fellows

Instructions on how to apply to participate as a WSG Hershman Fellowship Host office or apply to be a Fellow.

Information for Hosts

Host Office Application Information

HOST APPLICATIONS DUE MARCH 15, 2023

The WSG Hershman Fellowship program welcomes participation by state, tribal and federal agencies and nonprofit organizations based in Washington State. Host offices with programs that address coastal or marine issues through natural and social science research, local and traditional knowledge, policy, management, environmental justice, and/or equity-centered work are encouraged to participate. Interested host offices are invited to submit an application to WSG.

WSG Hershman Fellows are teamed with mentors in a host office for one year, working on ocean and coastal science and management issues. Prospective hosts are expected to 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 creating marine policy and allows them to share their academic expertise with their host offices. Fellows are expected to work full-time, on site and with other staff or leadership, as appropriate.

Host application must include the following five elements:

  1. Host organization or agency location and contact information.
  2. Name, title, and contact information for the fellowship mentor/supervisor(s).
  3. Position description (not to exceed two pages, singled-spaced). If selected as a participating host, this description will be made available as submitted to prospective fellowship applicants. Should include:
    • A short and descriptive title for your fellowship project
    • Name and title of the fellowship mentor and other key staff who will work with the fellow
    • Project overview including any specific tasks or major project components. Projects should be specific however, it is ok to include descriptions of multiple potential projects if applicable and for all projects we encourage you to build in some amount of flexibility to align project activities with your fellow’s individual skills and interests
    • Key mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities that will be available to the fellow through your organization or external partners
  4. Agency or organization’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility statement (or similar).
    • If your organization does not have an official DEI statement (or similar) please share, in your own words, how your organization, program or department works to create an inclusive work space that promotes cultural competency and a welcoming environment for all, including individuals who are demographically underrepresented in your sector or office.
    • The DEI statement will not be counted toward the two-page limit for the position description. Please provide this as an additional attachment.
    • We include this requirement as part of the application because we encourage our host office partners to consider these principles as part of participating in this fellowship program.
  5. Level of financial support. Hosts are required to provide at least $60,000 of the $70,000 that represents the entire cost of the 12-month fellowship (stipend, benefits stipend, tax stipend, professional development funds and WSG program support)*. Details below.

Please submit host applications to sgfellow@uw.edu .

Acceptance of a host application will be based on the following criteria:

  • The perceived quality of the fellowship project and mentorship opportunity.
  • The level of educational and professional development benefit for the fellow.
  • Alignment of project with WSG goals and values including:
    • promotion of science-based solutions to marine and coastal issues;
    • partnerships that value and engage the priorities, expertise, capabilities, and participation of diverse partners;
    • culture of inclusion, accessibility, respect, long-term engagement and accountability;
    • perceived existence of inclusive work space environments that promote cultural competency and is welcoming to demographically diverse individuals.
  • The level of financial commitment.

WSG will review applications and notify hosts regarding their acceptance by April 3.

*see exception for first time hosts

Fellow Selection

Each year, WSG selects up to six WSG Hershman Fellows (depending on size of candidate pool and number of host offerings). Fellowship applications will be submitted to WSG, and a review panel will be convened to 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.

WSG plans to hold a mandatory matching workshop in Seattle on Wednesday June 14 and Thursday 15 2023, that will serve as the basis for placement of fellows in host offices. During the two-day workshop, hosts and finalists will participate in interviews and presentations. Final host placement assignments will be based on ranking of preferences by both the hosts and selected finalists with possible subsequent discussion as necessary.

The length of a fellowship assignment is 12 months and is not renewable. WSG will administer monthly stipend payments and will manage a discretionary professional development and fellowship related travel 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 on September 1. Fellows may not start work until the contract is in place.

Fellowship Expenses

The total cost of the fellowship is $70,000 and host offices are encouraged to cover the full cost of the fellowship whenever possible. At a minimum each host office is required to contribute $60,000 of the fellowship award (covers the fellow’s base, benefits, and tax stipends)*

Costs for hosting a WSG Hershman Fellow are as follows:

Total Cost of Fellowship $70,000:

  • $50,000 base stipend
  • $6,000 benefits stipend (e.g. to purchase health and dental insurance, etc.)
  • $4,000 tax stipend (e.g. to pay quarterly taxes, hire a tax advisor, etc.)
  • $3,500 professional development budget 
  • $6,500 Sea Grant program support

Host Cost Share: $60,000 – $70,000

*First-Time Host Incentive

WSG offers a first-time host incentive option. The goal of this incentive option is to allow new fellowship hosts from diverse sectors to join the fellowship program with a lower financial commitment. Under the first-time host incentive option, first-time hosts will be expected to pay at least:

  • $40,000 in year 1 ($30K discount) 
  • $50,000 in year 2 ($20K discount) 
  • $60,000 in year 3 and beyond ($10K discount)

We hope that this reduced cost option will allow first-time hosts the chance to build a case for additional funding based on the high caliber and proven success of the fellows. Participation in the host office incentive program is not guaranteed and is contingent upon funding availability.

Contact Information

For more information or if you have questions about becoming a fellowship host, please contact Deborah Purce at sgfellow@uw.edu

Information for Prospective Fellows

Prospective Fellow Information

Eligibility

  • The WSG Hershman Fellowship currently is open to graduate students who have recently graduated (within the past two years) from Washington universities and those who will graduate before the fellowship begins. 
  • Applicants should be pursuing or have a degree in a marine-related field, including policy, law, social sciences, oceanography, and fishery sciences and marine related technical degrees. Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest and/or some experience in marine science and public policy.
  • 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.

Award

Each fellow will receive an award of $63,500, including an untaxed stipend of $60,000 (to cover living costs, health related benefits, and tax related expenses) and a $3,500 professional development budget administered by Washington Sea Grant.

Application Deadline: May 5, 2022 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time via eSeaGrant

 

Application Requirements 

Applications are submitted via the eSeaGrant online submission portal.

  1. Resume or curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages; 12 pt. font)
  2. Statement of the applicant’s goals with emphasis on interest in, contribution to, and expectations from the fellowship (1,000 words or less; 12 pt. font)
  3. Two letters of recommendation, including one from the applicant’s major professor. If no major professor exists, the faculty member who is most familiar with the applicant’s academic work may be substituted
  4. Unofficial copies of all undergraduate and graduate student transcripts

See below for how to apply.

Finalist Selection

Finalists will be interviewed and selected by the Washington Sea Grant Hershman Fellowship Review Panel. All candidates will be notified in early June regarding the outcome of the panel’s selection process. Finalist are required to attend a Matching Workshop on June 14 & 15, 2023. More finalists are selected than there are host office positions, therefore not all finalists will match as fellows. 

Selection Criteria

Finalists are selected based on the following criteria:

  1. Applicability of academic and professional background to the fellowship
  2. Relevance of professional and education goals
  3. Potential impact of the fellowship on future success, as well as personal characteristics such as initiative, leadership, adaptability, communication and analytical skills
  4. Support from two letters of recommendation

While required to confirm eligibility, details of student transcripts are not factored into the selection process.

WSG maintains a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, by pursuing diverse perspectives, and enhancing cultural understanding. WSG works to create equitable access to resources and opportunities for Washington’s diverse communities and seeks to incorporate their voices and priorities. WSG’s values are informed by environmental justice and are based in a culture of inclusion, respect, long-term engagement and accountability. Individuals that are historically underrepresented in marine science and policy work are encouraged to apply for this opportunity.

Placement of Fellows

A workshop to match host offices with fellows will take place in Seattle, WA on June 14 & 15, 2023. The workshop includes an orientation, host office presentations, finalist presentations, interviews and fellow matching. There will be more finalists than host office positions, therefore not all finalists will match as fellows. In 2023 the Matching Workshop will most likely be held in-person.

How to Apply

Washington Sea Grant will be accepting all fellowship applications through our online submission portal, eSeaGrant. eSeaGrant will open to applicants in early April. If you are new to eSeaGrant please give yourself plenty of time to complete your application and contact our office if you have questions.

Go To eSeaGrant

Applications are due to eSeaGrant by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time: May 5, 2022

For further information please contact:

E-mail: sgfellow@uw.edu

Past Fellowship Position Descriptions

Read position descriptions from previous Washington Sea Grant Hershman Fellowship placements here.