Selection Process
Every two years, as part of the biennial proposal process, Maryland Sea Grant invites researchers who have already received notice of a pending funding award from the program to apply for a graduate student Research Fellow. The application process begins in October of odd years (e.g., 2011, 2013) to support Fellows during the following two years beginning February 1 of the year (i.e. 2012 - 2014). Because of funding constraints it may not be possible to award fellowships to all funded projects in 2012 - 2014.Those awarded a Maryland Sea Grant Research Fellowship as part of the 2012-2014 Maryland Sea Grant two year Omnibus award will receive two years of fellowship support contingent on Maryland Sea Grant receiving funding from NOAA.
To apply for a Fellow please prepare the following:
- 2-3 page statement outlining the role of the student in the project.
- Preliminary plans for integrating the student into the project's outreach efforts.
- A resume, a transcript, or a short narrative description of the student's academic credentials, if the PI has already designated a student who would receive the fellowship.
Applications are evaluated by a panel comprised of Sea Grant staff, outside faculty members who are not part of the current grant competition, and members of Sea Grant’s Academic Advisory Committee. Students and PIs are notified of the outcome of their application in late December 2011, or early January 2012.
Ideally, new Research Fellows will begin their appointment in February of 2012, the start date of the research award. Students awarded a Research Fellow appointment will be asked to visit the Maryland Sea Grant office in College Park several weeks prior to their start date to complete the necessary administrative materials for the award.
Fellowship Terms
Maryland Sea Grant Research Fellows receive the administrative designation of graduate research assistant and follow all relevant guidelines set by the University System of Maryland (USM). Salary, benefits, and tuition remission are based upon degree candidacy status within the student's home institution. For those students who are enrolled at non-USM institutions, support, benefits, and tuition remission will be based upon a determination of equivalent status in the USM. The stipend for Maryland Sea Grant Research Fellows for funding cycle 2012–2014 is:
- Pre-Ph.D. Candidacy $20,000 per year
- Post-Ph.D. Candidacy $22,000 per year
We look to support a graduate student for a maximum of four years, as long as the student continues to be affiliated with a Maryland Sea Grant-funded research project. However, a fellowship can only be guaranteed for one year at a time. Renewal is based upon adequate progress and the availability of funds.
