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Coastal Fellowships Act
12/15/2023, 4:07 PM
Summary of Bill S 1552
Under this bill, the fellowship program will be administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The program will offer fellowships to individuals who have completed their undergraduate or graduate studies and are interested in gaining hands-on experience in coastal and marine conservation.
Fellows selected for the program will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, including research, monitoring, and outreach efforts aimed at protecting and preserving coastal and marine ecosystems. The bill also includes provisions for mentorship and professional development opportunities for fellows. Overall, the Coastal Fellowships Act aims to support the next generation of conservation leaders by providing them with valuable experience and training in the field of coastal and marine conservation. This bill has received bipartisan support in Congress and is currently being considered for passage.
Congressional Summary of S 1552
Coastal Fellowships Act
This bill establishes the Coastal Management Fellowship and the Digital Coast Fellowship programs to be administered by the Department of Commerce. The fellowships aim to provide on-the-job training and to encourage public service that supports U.S. coastal resource management. In addition, the Digital Coast Fellowship will support the Digital Coast program, which is a platform that integrates geospatial data, training, and other tools in order to address coastal management issues.
The bill specifies that selected fellows must have completed a related graduate-level degree before the fellowship begins and have a demonstrated interest in a career in coastal or marine science, management, policy, or law. Commerce must award the fellowships in a manner that is geographically balanced. Each fellow may be selected for a term of up to two years, must receive an annual stipend of at least $47,000, and may be directly hired by a federal agency upon successful completion of a fellowship.
