Fiscal Year 2024 - FY2025 Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowships for the National Estuarine Research Reserve System

Agency: Department of Commerce

11.420 -- Coastal Zone Management Estuarine Research Reserves

Archived opportunityLast Updated: May 13, 2026

Description

The goal of the Davidson Fellowship is to provide research that meets priority management needs of the reserves and their coastal communities, while building the next generation of leaders in estuarine science and coastal management by affording qualified graduate students the opportunity to conduct collaborative science within the National Estuarine Research Reserve System; partake in professional development opportunities; and receive mentoring to support professional growth. The program is also designed to create a strong network among the fellows during their tenure and into the early portion of their careers.

Proposed outcomes include:

Critical reserve management priorities are addressed through high-quality collaborative research directed towards local coastal and estuarine issues and contributing to regional and national efforts.

A diverse cadre of next-generation leaders in estuarine science and coastal management are supported and develop a strong network that continues after the fellowship and into their careers.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recognizes the need to ensure that research in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System addresses critical gaps in knowledge about estuarine systems, ecological processes, socioeconomics, and related areas. The nature of research conducted at the reserves, as well as interactions with reserve staff, partners, and academic institutions with similar goals, can help students fulfill their degree requirements through work benefiting the reserves and the field of coastal resource management.

Office for Coastal Management fellowships are committed to being accessible to all interested and eligible candidates, allowing all fellows to be comfortable in their identities and participate fully in their fellowships, and removing barriers to becoming part of the next generation of coastal leaders. NOAA supports cultural and gender diversity and encourages women and individuals from minority groups to submit applications to this program. In addition, the Department of Commerce and NOAA are strongly committed to broadening the participation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and institutions that work in underserved areas.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Miscellaneous

Other

Additional information

Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education or other research-related organizations. Students interested in this fellowship opportunity should work with their advisor and the university’s office of sponsored programs, or their equivalent. An authorized representative of the sponsoring organization will submit the application to Grants.gov. Awards will be made to the fellow's graduate institution through the use of a cooperative agreement. Funds are expected to be available on a competitive basis to qualified graduate students for research within a reserve(s) leading to a graduate degree. To be eligible to participate, prospective fellows must be citizens or permanent residents of U.S. states or territories, and admitted to or enrolled full-time in a master's or doctoral program at a U.S. accredited university. A prospective fellow may submit a signed letter from the institution indicating provisional acceptance to a graduate degree program conditional on obtaining financial support, such as this fellowship. The intent is for a two-year fellowship, thus successful prospective fellows must plan to be enrolled for all of the first year and at least the majority of the second year of funding. Federal agencies and employees are not allowed to receive funds under this announcement but may serve as project partners. If federal agencies are collaborators, applicants are expected to provide details on the planned level of federal engagement in the application. Examples might include, but are not limited to, participating in an advisory capacity or providing facilities for research. National Estuarine Research Reserve System staff are ineligible to submit an application for a fellowship under this announcement. The Department of Commerce and NOAA support cultural and gender diversity and encourage women and minorities to submit applications to this program. In addition, the Department of Commerce and NOAA are strongly committed to broadening the participation of historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic serving institutions, Tribal colleges and universities, and institutions that work in underserved areas. The Department of Commerce and NOAA encourage applications involving any of the above institutions.

Grantor contact information

Description

OCM Program Office

Email

OCM Program Office

OCM.Davidsonfellowship@noaa.gov

Documents

File name	Description	Last updated
NOAA-NOS-OCM-2023-2008028_NOFO_Report.pdf	Full NOFO Report	Jun 8, 2023 08:08 PM UTC

Link to additional information

Archived: January 3, 2024

Application process

This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates.

Award

$1,800,000

Program Funding

Expected awards

$45,000

Award Minimum

$60,000

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

NOAA-NOS-OCM-2023-2008028

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

Funding instrument type:

Cooperative agreement

Opportunity Category:

Discretionary

Opportunity Category Explanation:

Category of Funding Activity:

Other

Category Explanation:

The purpose of this notice is to solicit grant proposals for the NOAA Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship (Davidson Fellowship) at the National Estuarine Research Reserves. Eligible fellows are master’s and doctoral students admitted to or enrolled full-time in a graduate program at an accredited university. The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a program of NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management and authorized by the Coastal Zone Management Act. The research reserve program aims to balance the needs of the natural environment and coastal communities. The goal of the Davidson Fellowship is to provide research that meets priority management needs of the reserves and their coastal communities, while building the next generation of leaders in estuarine science and coastal management by affording qualified graduate students the opportunity to conduct collaborative science within National Estuarine Research Reserves (reserves); partake in professional development opportunities; and receive mentoring to support professional growth. All Davidson Fellowship projects must be conducted in coordination with the reserve specified in the application and be designed to address one of the reserve’s priority management questions. Approaches to these questions may employ a variety of disciplines, spanning the range of natural and social sciences. Cross-discipline approaches are encouraged. Mentoring and professional development activities will be provided to enhance the fellow’s skill set and contribute to the program’s goal of building capable leaders. The program is also designed to create a strong network among the fellows during their tenure and into the early portion of their careers. One fellow will be selected for each of the 30 reserves for a two-year duration. Total anticipated funding for all awards is approximately $1,800,000 per year and is subject to the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2024 and FY 2025 appropriations. The federal funding for each award must not exceed $60,000 per year (direct and indirect) for a 24-month project period. Of that amount, direct costs must not exceed $45,000 per year. Direct costs may include stipend, supplies, travel, and tuition to support the student. Awards will be made to the fellow's graduate institution through the use of a cooperative agreement. Funds are expected to be available on a competitive basis. To be eligible, fellows must be citizens or permanent residents of U.S. states or territories an

History

Version:

Posted date:

June 8, 2023

Archive date:

January 3, 2024