The Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium (MASGC) and the Mississippi Based RESTORE Act Center of Excellence (MBRACE) will co-host a 2025 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Gulf Research Program (GRP) Science Policy Fellow. The fellowship program helps scientists hone their skills by putting them into practice for the benefit of Gulf Coast communities and ecosystems. Fellows gain first-hand experience as they spend one year on the staff of federal, state, local or non-governmental environmental, natural resource, oil and gas, and public health agencies in the Gulf region.
With the guidance of a mentor, fellows delve into activities like policy development, evaluation, restoration planning, grants management and stakeholder outreach and learn what it takes to make scientific information not just useful but useable.
MBRACE-MASGC opportunity
MBRACE and MASGC will offer a unique opportunity to gain diverse experiences across two closely connected programs. The fellow will be supported by a mentor in each program and have access to a wide range of projects, experiences and professional networks at both organizations. Since MBRACE and MASGC already work in close partnership, this joint placement creates a natural and seamless opportunity to explore and contribute to their collaborative efforts.
The fellow will be integrated into the administrative framework of MBRACE and will work closely with the director, program manager and chief scientist, who have a diversity of expertise in the natural sciences, social sciences and grants administration, oversight and financial management, to help administer the research grants program and engage with state natural resource managers to ensure research addresses critical management needs.
The fellow will also be able to work directly with MASGC’s administrative office on program administration and with MASGC's Engagement and Education Team to engage with a wide variety of coastal audiences.
Depending on the fellow’s interests, this may involve coordinating with state natural resource managers and mapping state management needs with research objectives; updating and expanding the MBRACE website; preparing technical reports; organizing and hosting meetings; coordinating with the MBRACE Executive Steering Committee, funding agencies from other Gulf states and researchers at universities such as Mississippi State University, The University of Mississippi, the University of Southern Mississippi and Jackson State University; and communicating science to a variety of audiences.
MASGC-related activities will complement MBRACE’s and could include supporting the administration of a large research and engagement program through working with researchers, NOAA professionals and engagement and education team members. It may also include assisting with organizing and delivering education and community engagement programs. Specific roles and opportunities can be crafted based on the fellow’s preference.
The fellow will be invited to work at the host office in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, but may work remotely from any of the Gulf of America states.
Stipend and benefits
Fellows who have completed an MA, MS, or MPH/MSPH degree or who are currently enrolled in a doctoral program will receive an annual stipend of $58,000. Fellows who have completed a PhD, ScD, EngD, MD, DrPH or DVM will receive an annual stipend of $63,000.
In addition to the stipend, each fellow will receive an annual health allowance of $5,500, which will be added to the stipend package. The annual health allowance is intended to offset the cost of health insurance and/or to offset the cost of healthcare-related needs during the term of the fellowship. The stipend package will be paid directly to the fellow in monthly disbursements.
Fellows will also receive a $1,500 one-time payment prior to or at the beginning of the fellowship term to defray costs associated with relocation. No other relocation costs will be reimbursed.
Professional development
Fellows will receive up to $5,000 in additional support as reimbursement for tuition and/or fees for professional development courses and activities or for professional travel related to their host office duties.
Additional funding
All fellows will attend an orientation in Washington, D.C. Fellows may be required to attend one or more conferences/events during their fellowship term. Travel expenses for these events will be covered by the Gulf Research Program; they are in addition to the fellowship stipend and professional development support.
Detailed information can be found in the terms of the Science Policy Fellowship.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled in a doctoral program or hold an eligible degree, including an MA/MS, MPH/MSPH, PhD, ScD, EngD, MD, DrPH or DVM. For applicants not currently enrolled in a doctoral program, eligible degrees must be completed by Aug. 15, 2025, and conferred by Dec. 31, 2025. Applicants currently enrolled in a doctoral program must take a leave of absence for the duration of the fellowship.
- Come from an area of research – including social and behavioral sciences, health sciences and medicine, engineering and physical sciences, earth and life sciences, and interdisciplinary scientific fields – relevant to the mission of the Gulf Research Program which is to develop, translate and apply science, engineering and medical knowledge to enhance offshore energy safety, environmental protection and stewardship, and human health and community resilience in the Gulf region in ways that empower its citizens.
- Open to U.S. citizens only.
- Not be currently employed by the U.S. Federal Government. Full-time, paid, permanent federal employees are not eligible for the fellowship.
Details can be found on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine website.
There are a total of 16 host offices for the 2025 fellowship.
Key Dates:
- Feb. 26, 2025: The application cycle for the 2025 fellowships will close. Applications can be submitted through the online application system.
- April 2025: Finalist interviews, selection of fellows.
- April/May 2025: All applicants notified of funding decisions.
- April/May 2025: Placement webinar (Host offices meet fellows).
- May 2025: Host office interviews and placement.
- June 2025: Fellows and host offices notified of placements.
- Early August: Host office orientation webinar.
- Aug. 26-27, 2025: Fellowship orientation.
- Sept. 1, 2025: Fellowships begin.
- Sept. 2, 2025: Report to host office.
For more information, contact Steve Sempier at 228-238-8830 or [email protected].
Meet the author
Melissa Schneider
Communications Coordinator
Melissa Schneider coordinates public information, educational media and communication services for Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant. Some of MASGC's communications projects include our website, social... Read more
Phone: 228-818-8838
Email: [email protected]