Applications due: February 27, 2026 at 11:59pm HST (February 28th at 7:45 pm Guam time, CHST)

Informational webinar: Thursday, February 12th, 2026 from 12-1pm HST (Friday February 13th from 8-9am Guam time, CHST) register here

The Pacific Islands Coastal Health Fellowship is a place-based program for recent graduates from the Pacific Islands who want to return home and gain meaningful, hands-on experience in environmental and community work. Fellows will be placed with organizations in Hawaiʻi, American Samoa, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and/or Guam. Placement is dependent on fit between applicant and host organization.

Coordinated by the Hawai‘i Sea Grant Center for Pacific Ocean and Island Health and the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing Systems (PacIOOS), the fellowship places early-career professionals full-time within local government agencies or community organizations working on projects related to fisheries and coastal health. Fellows will work in partnership with participating government agencies or community-serving institutions to work on priorities identified by those agencies and their communities. Focus areas include fisheries, ciguatera, water quality, marine debris, and human health, reflecting the everyday land–sea issues island communities face.

Fellows can expect to gain skills in research, management, outreach, and education. They will receive professional training and support throughout their fellowship period. This fellowship should equip recent graduates to transition into graduate school or into a meaningful career at the conclusion of the year. We hope they will build lasting relationships with host organizations and mentors that will support long-term collaborations and project support.

Eligibility

Applicants must have received (or will receive) a Bachelor’s degree between May 2024 and June 2026 in a field related to conservation, management, public policy, planning, or another discipline related to marine or coastal resources at an institution of higher education in the Pacific Islands. Additionally, applicants who graduated from high school in the Pacific Islands and complete their Bachelor’s degree between May 2024 and June 2026 in related disciplines outside of the Pacific Islands are encouraged to apply (e.g., students who graduated high school in Hawaiʻi and completed their Bachelor’s degree in California). Fellows must complete all degree requirements before starting the fellowship in July 2026.

This fellowship is open to U.S. citizens and nationals, as well nationals of U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (i.e., Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and American Samoa).

Stipends and Expenses

Each fellow will receive a stipend set by the local host organization that is aligned with the appropriate local pay scale. These rates may vary by location. Fellows will be responsible for obtaining health insurance and for the tracking and allocation of state and federal taxes as appropriate. Possible travel associated with the fellowship will be covered by the fellowship program and host agency as needed.

Length of Assignment

The length of the fellowship assignment is 1 year (12 months). Placement at the host site will begin July 13, 2026 and end June 30, 2027. Fellows will complete a week of training in Honolulu prior to placement (June or July 2026).

Application Process

A complete application will include:

1. Personal and academic curriculum vitae (2 pages maximum, 12 point font)

• Describes applicant’s interest and experience in conservation, management, public policy, planning, or another discipline related to marine or coastal resources

• Describes honors, awards, and other recognition received by the applicant

• Describes applicant’s commitment to apply scientific expertise to serve society

• Describes applicant’s prior leadership roles relevant to their career stage (e.g., student government, committees, organizations, or community initiatives)

2. A personal education and career goal statement (1,000 words max, 12 point font) that answers the following questions:

• What are your abilities, relevant background, and experience that may address issues related to ciguatera poisoning, water quality, marine debris, and/or other topics related to fisheries and coastal health?

• What do you hope to gain from and contribute to the fellowship program?

• What is your specific preference in the host office and locations listed? What is your personal and/or professional connection to the preferred location?

• What are your post-graduate career goals, and how does this fellowship support those plans?

3. Copies of all undergraduate student transcripts. Unofficial copies will be accepted at the time of application, but official copies will be required prior to finalizing awards.

4. Name and contact information (email & phone number) for two professional or academic references.

How to Submit an Application

Applications should be submitted via Google Form by 11:59 PM HST on Friday, February 27, 2026.

For additional information, please contact Eileen Nalley, Fisheries Extension Faculty with Hawaiʻi Sea Grant at enalley@hawaii.edu

Learn more about the fellowship here! https://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/about/opportunities/#1768602781616-1c01f0ea-b892