Washington Sea Grant Hershman Fellowship
The Hershman Fellowship places recent grads in year-long, full-time roles with Washington organizations to apply their marine science expertise to hands-on coastal and marine policy projects with mentorship and professional development.
Funder: Washington Sea Grant
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2027 (Host application) | April 2027 (Fellowship application)
Funding Amounts: Typical award: $68,500–$75,000 total for a 12-month fellowship; includes a $65,000 stipend and $3,500 professional development budget.
Summary: A one-year, paid fellowship for recent or soon-to-graduate graduate students to gain hands-on experience in marine and coastal policy with Washington-based organizations.
Key Information: All dates are projected; check the program page for updates.
Description
The Washington Sea Grant Hershman Fellowship provides a unique, year-long, paid opportunity for graduate students and recent graduates interested in marine and coastal policy. Fellows are matched with host agencies, nonprofits, or tribal organizations throughout Washington State, where they contribute their academic expertise to real-world marine and natural resource policy work. The program emphasizes mentorship, professional development, and networking, offering fellows broad exposure to policy creation and implementation while supporting their educational and career goals. Fellows work full-time on substantive projects, receive mentorship from experienced professionals, and participate in a facilitated matching process to align their interests with host organizations.
