Sea Grant Community-Engaged Fellowship

Applications for 2026 Community Engaged Fellows are due March 1, 2026 at 5pm Alaska Time. The eSeaGrant application portal is now open.

Organizations interested in hosting a fellow should reach out to seagrant.fellowships@alaska.edu by February 1 to have your project description added to the webpage.

The Alaska Sea Grant Community Engaged Fellowship (CEF) program seeks undergraduate students interested in marine and coastal sciences, policy, communication, education, or related fields. The program supports students in exploring careers focused on Alaska's coastal and marine environments through hands-on experience, training, and mentorship.

Fellows gain professional experience as they contribute to Alaska Sea Grant’s work to enhance the sustainable use and conservation of marine, coastal and watershed resources. Fellows are placed at Alaska Sea Grant offices or with partner organizations for 10-week summer experiences.

Opportunity Details

As a Fellow, you will:

• Complete a 10-week summer fellowship.
• Collaborate with a mentor on a community-based project that addresses a coastal or marine issue of environmental, economic, cultural, or social importance.
• Join a national cohort of CEF students working on community-based projects across the country with state Sea Grant programs.
• Participate in professional development and training opportunities.

Award and Eligibility

Selected fellows are awarded a $7,500 stipend. Eligible applicants are undergraduate students who have completed at least one semester of full-time study by the end of spring, will be enrolled in any accredited U.S. college or university in the coming fall, or have graduated with an undergraduate degree within the previous academic year. Recent high school graduates planning to attend college may also apply. Applicants must have an Alaska connection, either through their home community or by attending an Alaska college or university.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted via eSeaGrant.

• Register for an eSeaGrant account and select the option to add/edit the Fellow Application - Community Engaged Fellowship for Undergraduates.
• If you have previously created an account, do not create another; contact us if you require access support.
• You can review and save your application progress before submitting.

Application Requirements

Your application will include:

1. General applicant information form (fill-in form). Includes name, contact, school, degree sought, and an optional demographics questionnaire
2. Resume or CV (PDF upload). Upload a resume or CV of up to two pages. Include your education, work and volunteer experiences, activities, skills, goals, publications, presentations, and any other information that will help the review committee evaluate your application.
3. Statement of Interest (PDF). Upload a statement of interest of no more than two pages. Please address the following:
   • Your professional interests and career goals.
   • How your background and interests contribute to the goals of the CEF program.
   • Why the CEF program interests you.
   • Your connection to Alaska and any particular community where you would like to work.
   • If there is a particular project you are interested in.
   • Your current degree or certificate program and how this fellowship supports your degree requirements, thesis or capstone project, and/or longer-term career goals. If applicable, include whether this fellowship will be part of a required internship for your degree.
   • Any other information you think will help us match you with a project.
4. Housing Plans [Fill-in response] Fellows receive a $7,500 stipend for participating in the 10-week fellowship. Additional funds are not available for housing. Because projects are place-based and housing in Alaska can be costly, most participating fellows live in their home community, school community, or with friends or relatives. If matched with a project in a different location, fellows should be prepared to arrange their own housing. To help ensure a good placement match based on location, please describe where you plan to live during the summer fellowship and your housing plans.

Your application materials will be reviewed by the Alaska Sea Grant CEF committee. Final placements depend on a strong application, available funding, and mentor matches. Notification of placement will follow review.

Questions?

If you have questions, contact Alaska Sea Grant’s CEF coordination team at seagrant.fellowships@alaska.edu.

CEF is a national initiative. Learn more and explore other opportunities at the Community Engaged (Internship) Fellowship for Undergraduate Students website.

Interested in Hosting a Fellow?

Alaska Sea Grant invites partners in Alaska-based organizations to host Community Engaged Fellows. The minimum cost to host a fellow is $7,500 for the fellow's stipend. To inquire about being a CEF host and mentor, please reach out to seagrant.fellowships@alaska.edu by February 1 of the year you would like to participate as a host. We will be interested in knowing the following information.

• A description of your organization and how the CEF program fits with your organization’s goals and culture;
• A description of the fellowship project
• How you plan to provide mentorship to a student;
• Whether you have a student you would like to work with (not required);
• Any plan to recruit students (not required);
• If your organization can commit to the financial contribution of $7,500 to host a fellow

Alaska Sea Grant Community Engaged Fellows are part of a national cohort, and so are mentors within the host organizations. Mentors will engage with other mentors through the following:

• Mentor training provided in the spring preceding the summer fellowship 
• Networking opportunities with other mentors during the summer
• Professional development sessions via videoconference with students and other mentors 
• Peer discussions with other mentors in the cohort using Slack or other online platforms
• A final national graduation session where students present their summer projects.