Scholarships

Lake Champlain Sea Grant Scholars Program 2023-2024

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) first- and second-year 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 2023-24 academic year; 
  • a week-long professional development workshop in the Lake Champlain basin August 21-25, 2023; 
  • regular professional development opportunities with other Sea Grant Scholars throughout their academic experience at UVM; and 
  • a paid internship during summer 2024 (either in the Lake Champlain basin or nearby the Scholar’s hometown).

Eligibility 

The Sea Grant Scholars program strives to grow representation of and help prepare Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students 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. BIPOC and first generation college students are encouraged to apply.

The Sea Grant Scholars program aims to support a cohort of diverse scholars. Scholars will be selected based on academic ability, commitment to a career in science or related field, first generation college status, and financial need. In addition, 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: 

  • A 1-page essay (12-point font, single-spaced, 1-inch margins) describing 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. Please save this as a Word or pdf file.
  • Your undergraduate transcripts to date (including Fall 2022). 
  • 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

  • March 19, 2023: Student applications due. This includes an essay, transcripts (including fall 2022), and confirmation of having read requirements to receive full support if selected a a Sea Grant Scholar. (See above for details.)
  • April 2023: Lake Champlain Sea Grant selects and notifies Sea Grant Scholars.
  • May 2023: Selected Scholars meet to learn about Sea Grant and Scholars program benefits and requirements.
  • August 21- 25, 2023: Professional Development Workshop week.
  • September 2023 - May 2024: 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 2024: Sea Grant Scholars engage in a summer internship hosted by a variety of STEM-focused organizations or those that benefit from or contribute to developing and sharing science-based information that benefits the environment or local economies in the Lake Champlain basin or in or near their hometown watershed. In addition, Scholars participate remotely in Community Engaged Internship professional development webinars offered through the National Sea Grant Network.

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.