Thursday, April 30

Michigan Sea Grant Graduate Student Research Fellowship

Michigan Sea Grant Graduate Student Research Fellowship

Michigan Sea Grant is offering one- to two-year fellowships from 2016 – 2018, totaling up to $160,000 for graduate students enrolled full-time at Michigan universities who are interested in research relevant to current Great Lakes ecological, habitat or fisheries management issues. This fellowship will provide tuition and stipend support for a student’s research and will enhance academic and professional development opportunities.
Research fellows will work with an agency sponsor and faculty member at an accredited institution in Michigan to conduct a research project that supports existing Great Lakes research at federal, tribal and state agencies. Applicants submit a short proposal for their research as part of the selection process and are expected to have letters of support from agency and faculty sponsors. Michigan Sea Grant will assist interested students in identifying an agency sponsor who conducts research in their area of interest.
About the Fellowship
  • Supports exceptional graduate students (M.S. or Ph.D.) engaged in research relevant to the Great Lakes, ongoing agency research efforts, and to the Michigan Sea Grant Strategic Plan.
  • Fellows will work with an agency mentor to ensure results are useful and contribute to ongoing Great Lakes research.
  • Fellows will be provided with professional development opportunities that include conducting a research project, data collection and analysis, and preparation of project reports and presentation materials.
  • Fellowship funding will be available in February 2016, but the fellowship can begin in either 2016 or 2017, as appropriate.
  • Support: Up to $80,000 per year for students, including tuition, stipend and benefits.
    • Requires a 50% non-federal match (e.g., faculty salary).
    • Update: A budget is required; see below.
Eligibility
  • Students must be enrolled in or admitted to a full-time graduate or professional degree program at a Michigan academic institution.
  • Students may be working toward a degree in any discipline related to Great Lakes coastal or ecosystem issues.

How to Apply

Proposals are due to Michigan Sea Grant by 5 p.m. (EST)May 29, 2015. Proposals not received by the deadline will not be considered.
Proposal Requirements: Research Fellowship
  • Update: Budget – The budget should outline proposed expenses (e.g., tuition, stipend, research expenses, travel, supplies, etc.) up to $80,000 per year for two years. The budget should also indicate the source and allocation of the 50% non-federal match (e.g., $40,000 non-federal match for a $80,000 funding request from Sea Grant).
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) – Two pages maximum and must include contact information for the graduate student applicant and primary advisor(s).
  • Research project narrative – Two pages max.
  • Career goal statement – One page max.
  • Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable).
  • Letters of recommendation from primary academic advisor and an agency sponsor.
Online Submission Process:
  • Please allow sufficient time for all application materials to be received before the deadline. Late applications will not be accepted. We suggest that fellowship applicants access the fellowship application submission form to complete Parts 1 and 2 at least two weeks before the deadline. This step will initiate a system-generated request for recommendation letters and allow enough time for those letters to be received by the deadline.
  • After completing Part 2 of the online application form, the academic advisor and agency sponsor will receive a system-generated request for the letter of recommendation with instructions on how to log in and upload the letter as a PDF.
  • After completing Part 1 and 2 of the online application (be sure to click save), you will be emailed a Fellowship Code that you will need when logging in to complete your submission.
  • Complete Budget Form 90-4 to describe proposed budget. Upload this as part of the online application.
Proposal Evaluation: Research Fellowships
Selection criteria include academic ability, research proposal integration with agency research, the research and career goals of the student, appropriateness of academic background, communication skills, and support from faculty and agency advisors.
Applications that do not meet the requirements may be rejected without review. Notification of funding decisions will occur in September 2015, and fellowship research will be conducted within the two-year period from 2016 through 2018.
Questions about the RFP?
All questions related to the Michigan Sea Grant Graduate Student Research Fellowship Request for Proposals should be submitted to the Michigan Sea Grant Research Program by emailing MSG-RFPinfo@umich.edu by 5 p.m. (EST) Friday, May 8. Answers will be posted to the Michigan Sea Grant RFP web site by May 15.