Funding Resources

Funding is available for graduate students on a limited basis. Students who apply to our program by the appropriate deadline will be considered for departmental funding. Undergraduate students will find a growing number of fellowship and scholarship opportunities below as well. We encourage all students — prospective and current — to explore the full range of options on this page.

Questions about funding? Contact the Marine Affairs Department or visit the URI Graduate School funding page.

How Graduate Funding Works: Five Pathways

Graduate studies in Marine Affairs are typically funded through one or more of the following five sources. Most students draw on a combination of these over the course of their program.

1. Self-Funding

Students pay their own tuition and may obtain federal or private loans. Current tuition and fee information is available on the URI Tuition & Fees page.

2. External Fellowships & Scholarships

Many students secure their own external funding before or during their program. The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is among the most prestigious opportunities for early-career researchers. The Johns Hopkins University Graduate Funding Database is an excellent starting point for identifying opportunities by discipline. MAF faculty are willing to assist strong candidates with fellowship applications — reach out early.

3. Teaching Assistantships (TAs)

TA positions are offered to the strongest MAF applicants whose skills align with URI’s teaching needs. A TA appointment covers tuition, a percentage of fees, and a stipend for up to 20 hours per week of work. The highest demand is for students with backgrounds in General Biology, Anatomy & Physiology (comparative vertebrate anatomy and animal physiology with a B or better), and Microbiology — because URI’s large introductory biology courses require many TAs. A limited number of TA positions are also available for students who will teach within Marine Affairs courses.

4. Research Assistantships (RAs)

Students work under the direction of a faculty member with an active funded research program, receiving a stipend and tuition coverage for up to 20 hours of work per week. PhD students typically spend at least two years of their program as Research Assistants. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to reach out directly to faculty whose research interests align with their own, as RA positions often arise from those conversations.

5. Scholarships, Diversity Awards, and Fellowships

The URI Graduate School administers a range of institutional awards with varying deadlines and eligibility requirements. See the full list at the URI Graduate School Funding page. Additional opportunities are listed in the sections below.

URI Internal Funding

Current URI students should watch departmental and graduate school listservs for announcements — many of these awards have rolling or semester-based deadlines.

Graduate Awards & Travel Support

Kenelm W. Coons Marine Affairs Scholarship: Awarded annually to assist graduate students returning to school mid-career to pursue the MMA degree in Marine Affairs. A gift from the Coons family and family friends in honor of the retirement of Kenelm W. Coons ’78. Watch for an email from the MAF Graduate Coordinator near the end of the academic year; eligible students apply through URI Academic Works (deadline June 30).
Enhancement of Graduate Research Awards (EGRA): Up to $1,000/year for graduate research expenses; deadline typically early October.
Graduate Student Association (GSA): Offers conference and paper delivery funding (up to $250) and thesis binding reimbursement. Visit the GSA website for current application links.
Graduate Assistants United (GAU) Grant Fund: $250–$400 for research and travel expenses. Visit the GAU website for the current application link.
CELS Travel Funds: Approximately $250 per award; calls go out to listservs at the start of each semester. Contact the CELS Dean’s office for current information.
CELS Scholarships: Multiple awards for graduate and undergraduate students in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences.
Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research: Up to $1,000 for travel to research sites or laboratory equipment; deadlines October 1 and March 15. Open to graduate and undergraduate researchers.

Undergraduate Funding Opportunities

Marine Affairs undergraduates are encouraged to pursue research and fellowship opportunities early. The awards below are specifically for undergraduates or include undergraduate eligibility.

MAF & URI Departmental Awards

Ken ’71, MA ’73 and Laura ’73, MPA ’79 Kenerson Endowed Scholarship: Awarded based on financial need to an upperclassman (sophomore, junior, or senior) in good academic standing who is majoring in Marine Affairs and studying coastal issues. Recipients are selected by the CELS Dean’s office in collaboration with MAF and the Office of Enrollment Services. Watch for an email from the MAF Undergraduate Coordinator near the end of the academic year; eligible students apply through URI Academic Works (deadline June 30).
McShane/Couvillion Courage Award: Supports undergraduate student(s) pursuing a degree in Marine Affairs or any engineering discipline. Selection is based on academic merit, financial need, and a short essay (500 words or less) on the theme of personal courage and aspirations. Watch for an email from the MAF Undergraduate Coordinator near the end of the academic year; eligible students apply through URI Academic Works (deadline June 30).
URI Undergraduate Excellence Award: Honors superior academic achievement by a graduating senior in Marine Affairs. One student per department is recognized by the Provost at a ceremony during Commencement weekend. Nominees are identified by the MAF Undergraduate Coordinator based on Major GPA; nominated students submit a short narrative on their marine affairs interests, experiential activities, and career goals. No separate application required — eligible students are contacted directly.

External Scholarships & Fellowships

NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship: Two years of academic support ($9,500/year) plus a 10-week paid summer internship at a NOAA facility. Open to sophomores in science, social science, or resource management fields; minimum 3.0 GPA; U.S. citizens only. Deadline typically in January.
NOAA Sea Grant Undergraduate Research Opportunities: Fellowships and internships for undergraduates interested in marine and coastal research.
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) Internship Program: Summer and semester research internships in coastal ecology; open to undergraduates and graduate students.
American Maritime Partnership Scholarship Listings: Aggregates maritime-related scholarship opportunities across career levels.
Martha’s Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation Scholarships: Includes $12,000 college scholarships and the Philip J. Norton Jr. Scholarship for students pursuing public service careers. Open to residents of Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth only.
Narragansett Bay Propeller Club Scholarship: $500–$1,000; deadline typically mid-March. Contact the Propeller Club of the United States, Narragansett Bay Port directly to verify current availability and application details.

Featured & Federal Fellowships

The opportunities below are particularly well-suited for Marine Affairs graduate students. Many MAF alumni have held these fellowships — faculty can speak to their experience and assist with applications. Most federal programs require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

NOAA & Sea Grant (MAF Alumni Favorites)

John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship: One-year placement in a federal agency or Congressional office in Washington, D.C. One of the premier marine policy fellowships available. Deadline typically in February. MAF graduates have a strong track record with this fellowship.
NOAA Coastal Management Fellowship: Two-year applied research fellowship with a state coastal management program. Deadline typically in January.
NOAA Fisheries–Sea Grant Graduate Fellowship: Supports graduate research in marine resource economics or population dynamics. Deadline typically in February.
NOAA Climate & Global Change Postdoctoral Fellowship: For recent PhDs in climate-related fields.

NSF Fellowships

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP): $37,000 annual stipend plus tuition allowance for three years. One of the most prestigious graduate fellowships in the U.S. Deadline typically in October/November. MAF faculty actively support applicants — reach out early.
NSF East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI): Summer research in Asia-Pacific countries for early-stage graduate students. Deadline typically in November.

NSF Dissertation Improvement Grants

Advanced graduate students can apply for dissertation support through several NSF divisions relevant to Marine Affairs:

Decision, Risk, and Management Sciences — deadlines January 18 and August 18
Science, Technology & Society — deadlines February 1 and August 1
Dynamics of Coupled Natural and Human Systems
Cultural Anthropology — deadlines January 15 and August 15

Policy & Federal Leadership

Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program: Two-year leadership development program in the federal government for recent advanced degree recipients. Deadline typically in November.
AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships: Year-long placements in federal agencies or on Capitol Hill. Requires completed PhD. Deadline typically in December.
Christine Mirzayan S&T Policy Graduate Fellowship (National Academies): 12-week fellowship in Washington, D.C. Deadlines typically in October and May.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program: Grants for graduate study, research, or English teaching abroad. Deadline typically in October.
Boren Fellowships for Graduate Students: Supports language study as a component of graduate research in strategically important regions. Deadline typically in January.
National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship: Full tuition and stipend for STEM graduate students. Deadline typically in December.
White House Fellowship: Year-long program working with senior White House staff and Cabinet officials. Highly competitive; deadline typically in January.
Jefferson Science Fellows at the U.S. Department of State: For tenured faculty working on science and technology policy. Deadline typically in January.
Grants.gov: Searchable database of all U.S. federal grant programs; set up email alerts for relevant topics.

Foundations, Organizations & International Funding

Many of these opportunities are open to non-U.S. citizens unless otherwise noted. For a comprehensive searchable database, see the Johns Hopkins Graduate Funding Database, Grants.gov, and Candid (formerly Foundation Center).

Dissertation & Graduate Research

International Dissertation Research Fellowship (IDRF) — Social Science Research Council: For research conducted abroad. Deadline typically in November.
Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowship: Supports early-stage doctoral students in the humanities and interpretive social sciences. Up to $52,000. Deadline typically in October.
Resources for the Future (RFF) Fellowships & Internships: Environmental and energy policy research; dissertation and postdoctoral awards. Deadline typically in February.
Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation Fellowship: For environmentally focused graduate students in New England and California demonstrating leadership. Expanding nationwide in 2027. Deadline typically in January.
Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship: Applied physical, biological, and engineering sciences. Deadline typically in October.
Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) Fellowships: Deadlines in January and August.
Morris K. Udall Foundation — Environmental Public Policy and Conflict Resolution: Dissertation fellowships. Check current availability.
Link Foundation Energy Fellowship Program: For graduate students in energy-related fields. Deadline typically in December.

Marine & Ocean Conservation

Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation: By nomination only — for established researchers making significant conservation contributions.
David H. Smith Conservation Research Postdoctoral Fellowship (Society for Conservation Biology): Deadline typically in September.
Kathryn Fuller Science for Nature Fund (WWF): For early-career scientists addressing conservation challenges. Check current cycle availability.

International Students

AAUW International Fellowships: For women from outside the U.S. pursuing graduate or postgraduate study. Deadline typically in September/November.
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC): For Canadian citizens studying outside Canada.
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC): For Canadian citizens studying outside Canada.
World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programs: Multiple programs supporting graduate students from developing countries.
Organization of American States (OAS) Academic Scholarships: For students from OAS member states.
Rotary Foundation Scholarships: Various programs supporting international study and exchange.
Onassis Foundation Scholarships: For non-Greek nationals pursuing graduate study related to Greece or the Greek world.
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Scholarships: For maritime-related graduate study.
World Maritime University — Scholarships & Financial Support: Maritime-specific funding with strong international coverage.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): For eligible students applying for U.S. federal financial aid.
Candid (formerly Foundation Center): Comprehensive searchable database for foundation and international funders.

Summer Programs, Internships & Postdoctoral Opportunities

Summer experiences can be transformative for career development, and many come with stipends or travel support. Postdoctoral opportunities are listed below for PhD candidates and recent graduates.

Summer Programs & Internships

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) Internship Program: Research internships in coastal ecology; open to undergraduates and graduate students.
NOAA Fisheries — Pacific Islands Young Scientist Opportunity: Summer internship with NOAA fisheries researchers in Honolulu. Stipend and travel support provided.
AAAS Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellowship: Summer placement at a media outlet for scientists interested in science communication. Deadline typically in January.
Resources for the Future (RFF) Summer Internship Program: Environmental and energy policy; Washington, D.C. Deadline typically in March.
Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) Fellowship Program: For researchers working on markets and environmental quality. Deadline typically in February.
IIASA Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP): Three-month research program in Austria for advanced graduate students. Deadline typically in January.
AMS Summer Policy Colloquium (Washington, D.C.): For early-career scientists interested in science policy. Rolling admission.
DAAD RISE Germany: Summer research internships in science and engineering. Deadline typically in January.
Santa Fe Institute Graduate Workshop in Computational Social Science: For advanced graduate students working on social complexity.
UNU Summer Academy on Social Vulnerability (Munich Re Foundation): For graduate students working on environmental risk. Munich, Germany.

Postdoctoral Fellowships

Pathways to Science Postdoctoral Fellowship Listings: Comprehensive searchable database of postdoctoral opportunities across disciplines.
NOAA Climate & Global Change Postdoctoral Fellowship: For recent PhDs in climate-related fields.
RFF Gilbert F. White Postdoctoral Fellowship: Environmental and energy policy research. Deadline typically in February.
NRC Research Associates Program (National Academies): Postdoctoral and senior research at federal labs. Deadlines vary.
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Postdoctoral Fellowship (Columbia Climate School): Earth, environmental, and ocean sciences.
Princeton Postdoctoral Fellows Program: Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy.
Harvard University Center for the Environment (HUCE) Fellowship: Postdoctoral researchers across environmental fields. Deadline typically in January.
David H. Smith Conservation Research Postdoctoral Fellowship: Deadline typically in September.
AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships: Placements in federal agencies or on Capitol Hill. Requires completed PhD. Deadline typically in December.
Leopold Leadership Program (Stanford Woods Institute): For mid-career environmental scientists seeking leadership and communication training.

Note: Fellowship deadlines and program details change frequently. We recommend verifying all information directly with the sponsoring organization before applying. If you discover a broken link or a new opportunity worth adding to this page, please contact the department.