Contact:
Aman Kohli, akkohli@ncsu.edu
Sandy Canfield, srcanfie@ncsu.edu

North Carolina’s Sea Grant and Space Grant programs are currently accepting applications for Graduate Research Fellowships for the 2026-2027 academic year. Two fellowships of up to $10,000 may be awarded to students whose projects address a priority research need within the state’s nearshore environments, coastal areas, watersheds or human activities in these areas. Applications are due by 5 p.m. ET on April 13, 2026.

The fellows must use data and technology available through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA). Research must relate to both the NC Space Grant and NC Sea Grant’s strategic plans.

This joint fellowship is available to full-time graduate students enrolled in an accredited university in North Carolina who are in good academic standing and conducting faculty-mentored research. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

“NC Space Grant is excited to read the research proposals about students’ plans to take advantage of the vast resources available such as NASA and NOAA instruments, technology and data sources,” notes Sandra Canfield, NC Space Grant assistant director.

The research must start after June 1, 2026, and be completed by May 31, 2027. Fellows will have the opportunity to present their research findings at a meeting or conference like NC Sea Grant’s NC Coastal Conference and NC Space Grant’s annual NC Space Symposium In addition, fellows will engage in public outreach regarding their research findings.

Apply to the NC Sea Grant – NC Space Grant Graduate Research Fellowship

Spotlight on Recent NC Space Grant – NC Sea Grant Fellows 

Savannah Roth, 2025-2026 Fellow
Savannah Roth, a Ph.D. student at NC State studying biological and agricultural engineering, is currently using open-source, forecast-driven control technology of stormwater for flooding and water quality management.

Megan Geesin, 2024-2025 Fellow
Megan Geesin, a Ph.D. candidate from East Carolina University, conducted research on the effectiveness of oyster breakwaters in mitigating shoreline erosion and stimulating marsh growth in North Carolina’s Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system.

Peggy Mullin, 2024-2025 Fellow
Peggy Mullin, a master’s student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, conducted research focused on understanding dynamics in salt marshes and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) communities in Currituck Sound.

Colleen Brown, 2023-2024 Fellow
Colleen Brown, a Ph.D. student at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington’s Center for Marine Science, studied water quality in the Lower Cape Fear River Watershed.