E. Gordon Grau Coastal and Marine Resource Management Fellowship Program

In recognition of Professor Emeritus E. Gordon Grau’s service of more than 14 years to the Sea Grant College Program at the University of Hawaiʻi (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) and the national network of 33 Sea Grant College Programs nationwide, we have established the E. Gordon Grau Coastal and Marine Resource Management Fellowship Program (Grau Fellowship). This fellowship provides a unique degree-to-work experience to post-graduate students who have an interest in ocean and coastal resources in the State of Hawaiʻi and the management and policy decisions affecting those resources.

Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, the Grau Fellowship provides a unique educational and work opportunity for post-graduate students who are interested in coastal and marine resource management and policy decisions affecting those resources in Hawaiʻi. Modeled after the highly successful John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program, the Grau Fellowship provides fellows an opportunity to acquire hands on experience in the planning, implementation and management of marine, coastal, and/or watershed resource policies and programs in Hawaiʻi. The program matches highly motivated and qualified recent graduates of graduate programs with hosts in state, federal or municipal agencies and non-profits in Hawaiʻi for a 2-year paid fellowship ($4,833.33 per month).

Eligibility

Graduate students at institutions of higher education in Hawaiʻi who complete their degrees (Masters, Ph.D., or J.D) in fields related to conservation, management, public policy, planning, or law of marine and/or coastal resources after May 1, 2018 and no later than May 31, 2019 are eligible and encouraged to apply. Additionally, applicants who graduated from a high school in Hawaiʻi and who complete their graduate degrees in related disciplines as described above from accredited institutions of higher education outside of Hawaiʻi after May 1, 2018 and no later than May 31, 2019 are encouraged to apply. Applicants should address their interest and experience in either marine/coastal/watershed science, natural and cultural resource management, planning, public policy, and/or law. Fellows must complete all degree requirements before starting the fellowship.

Hawaiʻi Sea Grant is committed to increasing the diversity of the workforce in Hawaiʻi. Sea Grant embraces individuals of all ages, races, ethnicities, national origins, gender identities, sexual orientations, disabilities, cultures, religions, citizenship types, marital statuses, job classifications, veteran status types, and income, and socioeconomic status types. Hawaiʻi Sea Grant is committed to building inclusive research, extension, communication and education programs that serve people with unique backgrounds, circumstances, needs, perspectives and ways of thinking.

Stipend and Expenses

Each fellow will receive a $58,000/year stipend for the 2-year fellowship ($4,833.33/month). Fellows will be responsible for obtaining health insurance and for the tracking and allocation of state and federal taxes as appropriate. Possible travel associated with the fellowship may be covered by the host agency at the agency’s discretion.

Length of Assignment

The length of assignment is 2 years (24 months; non-renewable). The fellowship will begin in early fall between August and September 2019.

Application Process

A complete application will include:

1. Personal and academic curriculum vitae (two pages maximum, 12 point font)

2. A personal education and career goal statement (1000 words maximum, 12 point font)
that includes the following:

-Emphasizes the applicant’s abilities and interests, relevant background and experience, and expectations of the career development experience.

-Describes what the applicant expects to gain from and contribute to the Grau Fellowship Program.

-Describes the applicant’s specific interest/preference in the potential host offices listed.

3. Two letters of professional recommendation, including one from the student’s major professor. If no major professor exists, the faculty member who is most familiar with the applicant academically may be substituted.

4. Official copies of all undergraduate and graduate student transcripts. Unofficial copies will be accepted at time of application deadline with official transcripts due prior to finalizing awards.

How to Submit Application

Applications should be submitted via email to Maya Walton (waltonm@hawaii.edu) by 5:00 PM HST on Friday, May 17, 2019. Late applications will not be considered. Letters of recommendation should be submitted separately from student application materials and sent directly from the letter writers.