Lake Champlain Sea Grant Scholars Program

Lake Champlain Sea Grant Scholars Program 2026-7

The mission of Lake Champlain Sea Grant is to develop and share science-based knowledge to benefit the environment and economies. We offer a 13-month Sea Grant Scholars program for University of Vermont (UVM) and SUNY-Plattsburgh (SUNY-P) undergraduate students interested in the sciences and related fields. Scholars receive a one-year academic scholarship to offset costs of education and expenses, a paid summer internship, and ongoing professional development opportunities.

Selected scholars will be awarded: 

  • an academic scholarship of $5000 for the 2026-2027 academic year; 
  • a multi-day professional development workshop in the Lake Champlain basin August 27-29, 2026; 
  • two professional development opportunities with other Sea Grant Scholars each semester of the academic year; and 
  • a paid ($5000) internship within the Lake Champlain Basin of Vermont or New York during summer 2027 tailored to meet each Scholar's individual career interests.

Eligibility 

The Sea Grant Scholars program aims to support a cohort of student scholars interested in pursuing careers in science, science communications, technology, policy, natural resources management, engineering, or related fields with a demonstrated commitment to advancing UVM's Our Common Ground values. Current first- and second-year UVM and SUNY-P undergraduate students are eligible to apply.

Scholars will be selected based on academic ability, commitment to a career in science or related field, potential to advance UVM’s Our Common Ground values, and financial need.

Application

A complete application package includes: 

  • A 1-page essay (12-point font, single-spaced with 1-inch margins saved as a Word or pdf file):
    • Please describe your career goals as they relate to the Lake Champlain Sea Grant mission (see above) and your plans to work towards achieving those goals in your remaining undergraduate years.
  • Your undergraduate transcripts to date (including Fall 2025). 
  • Confirmation of having read program requirements (see both pages) to be eligible for full financial support if selected as a Sea Grant Scholar.

Students should submit their essay and transcripts using this application form. 

Sea Grant Scholarship Timeline

  • April 30, 2026: Student applications due. This includes an essay, transcripts (including fall 2025), and confirmation of having read requirements to receive full support if selected a a Sea Grant Scholar. See above for details.
  • May 2026: Lake Champlain Sea Grant selects and notifies Sea Grant Scholars. Selected Scholars learn about Sea Grant and Scholars program benefits and requirements.
  • Thursday, August 27 - Saturday, August 28, 2026: Professional Development Workshop.
  • September 2026 - May 2027: Sea Grant Scholars are supported by an academic year scholarship, participate in two workforce development learning opportunities per semester, and work closely with LCSG staff or designee to be matched with a faculty member, business, or organization for a summer internship.
  • May - August 2027: Sea Grant Scholars will be paid $5000 to engage in a summer internship hosted by an organization or faculty member through which the Scholar will contribute to developing and sharing science-based information that benefits the environment or local economies in the Lake Champlain basin.
  • August 27, 2027: Sea Grant Scholars will share their internship experiences with the incoming cohort of Sea Grant Scholars and Lake Champlain Sea Grant staff during a luncheon on the UVM campus or remotely.

Contact

For more information about the Sea Grant Scholars program, contact Dr. Kris Stepenuck (kstepenu [at] uvm.edu).

Meet Our Sea Grant Scholars

Meet our current and past Sea Grant Scholars.