Scholarships

Lake Champlain Sea Grant Scholars Program 2024-2025

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) 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 2024-25 academic year; 
  • a multi-day professional development workshop in the Lake Champlain basin August 22-25, 2024; 
  • regular professional development opportunities with other Sea Grant Scholars throughout the academic year; and 
  • a paid ($5000) internship during summer 2025 tailored to meet each Scholar's individual career interests.

Eligibility 

The Sea Grant Scholars program aims to support a cohort of diverse student scholars who exemplify UVM's Our Common Ground values to help prepare them for successful careers in science, science communications, technology, policy, natural resources management, engineering, or related fields. Current first- and second-year UVM 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 contribute to the advancement of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and accessibility in science or a related field, and financial need. Applicants of all ages, races, ethnicities, national origins, gender identities, sexual orientations, disabilities, cultures, religions, citizenship types, marital statuses, veteran status types, income levels, and socioeconomic statuses are eligible to apply.

Application

A complete application package includes: 

  • Two 1-page essays (each should use 12-point font, be single-spaced with 1-inch margins and they should be saved together in a single Word or pdf file):
    • In the first essay, 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.
    • In the second essay, please describe how you envision contributing to the advancement of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility in science, science communications, technology, policy, natural resources management, engineering, or a related field by reflecting on your own unique lived experiences. 
  • Your undergraduate transcripts to date (including Fall 2023). 
  • Confirmation of having read program requirements (see all 3 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. Names and emails of those submitting each form are automatically recorded upon submission.

Sea Grant Scholarship Timeline

  • April 1, 2024: Student applications due. This includes an essay, transcripts (including fall 2023), and confirmation of having read requirements to receive full support if selected a a Sea Grant Scholar. See above for details.
  • April 2024: Lake Champlain Sea Grant selects and notifies Sea Grant Scholars.
  • May 2024: Selected Scholars meet to learn about Sea Grant and Scholars program benefits and requirements.
  • Thursday, August 22 - Sunday, August 25, 2024: Professional Development Workshop.
  • September 2024 - May 2025: Sea Grant Scholars are supported by an academic year scholarship, participate in informal cohort celebrations and learning opportunities, and are matched with a business or organization for a summer internship (in the Lake Champlain basin or in or nearby their hometown).
  • May - August 2025: 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 or another watershed(s). In addition, Scholars will participate remotely in Community Engaged Internship professional development webinars offered through the National Sea Grant Network.
  • August 29, 2025: Sea Grant Scholars will share their internship experiences with the incoming cohort of 2025-26 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.


Other Opportunities

Find other student opportunities on the National Sea Grant website.