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Coastal Management Fellowship
State Project SelectionNote: An additional application requirement and a new selection criterion have been added to the state selection process. States must now address how the proposed project would address one or more of the specified thematic areas listed below. These thematic areas will be revised slightly each year to reflect current Center priorities. EligibilityAll mainland states and Caribbean jurisdictions with federally approved coastal zone management programs, and states developing such programs for approval, may submit a project proposal to the NOAA Coastal Services Center to compete for selection as a fellowship host state. Multiple state agencies or organizations with partnered implementation of the state's coastal management program are also eligible. States that currently host a first-year fellow are not eligible to apply for a second fellow. Six project proposals are typically selected each year. Application RequirementsApplicants must submit a six-to-eight-page proposal that addresses the following:
Follow this link to see examples of state proposals that were selected in 2009: Selection CriteriaState projects will be selected using the following criteria: Project SelectionSix projects will be selected from the proposals submitted to the NOAA Coastal Services Center by a selection panel made up of program partners including National Sea Grant, the NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, and a current fellow and mentor. In addition to the review criteria, certain program policy factors may be considered when selecting projects. An attempt will be made to disperse the selected projects geographically, and technical experts may be brought in to evaluate the technical content of the proposals. The selection panel will make its recommendation to the branch chief of Coastal Management Services at the NOAA Coastal Services Center, who will make the final decision. Cost ShareAll states selected to host a fellow will be required to provide $15,000 in nonfederal funds to cover a portion of the fellow's salary ($7,500 for each year of the fellowship). This money cannot be in-kind support and cannot come from federal dollars. The $15,000 cost sharing must be defined and must be a nonfederal source; if the source of this funding is not defined, the proposal will not be considered. Placement of FellowsA workshop to match states with fellows will take place in Charleston, South Carolina, in late April/early May. Of the finalists selected, six will be placed with a host state. Each of the selected host states will send the fellow mentor to the placement workshop. The workshop includes an orientation program, host-state project proposal presentations, finalist presentations, finalist and host state interviews, and fellow matching. If a state does not find a suitable candidate during the workshop, it will be given the option to defer fellow placement for one year. States will only be allowed one deferment before they have to reapply. No contact between prospective hosts and finalists should be made before the placement workshop. How to ApplyOne signed original must be received through the mail, e-mail, or fax on the specified date (see timeline for the 20010–2012 program). Electronic copies can be sent to csc.fellowships@noaa.gov. Mail proposals to:Fellowship Coordinator |