NOAA Davidson Graduate Fellowship 2027 supports two-year research fellowships that link master’s or doctoral research with the needs of a U.S. estuarine research reserve. The NOAA Davidson Scholarship funds institutional project budgets to support research, professional development, reserve-based mentoring, and connections within coastal management.
The fellowship is offered by NOAA in partnership with the National Estuarine Research Reserve System and the University of Michigan Water Center. Applicants must plan research that addresses a reserve’s priorities and work with an academic advisor and a designated reserve representative to develop the proposal and budget.
NOAA Davidson Graduate Fellowship Benefits
- A total request of up to $120,000 over two years, with an annual ceiling of $60,000, is permitted under the 2027–2029 application guide.
- This is not a guaranteed personal salary; rather, it is an institutional project budget that includes any applicable indirect expenditures.
- Up to $45,000 a year in direct funding for things like stipends, tuition, supplies, and travel is described individually in NOAA’s overview.
- Federal appropriations are the source of funding, and excellent performance is also a requirement for second-year assistance.
- Fellows get professional training, connections within the coastal management industry, and reserve-based mentoring in addition to financial support.
- As a helpful supplement to writing a thesis or dissertation, such experiences can help you explain research to others who utilize it.
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NOAA Davidson Graduate Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- Admission to, or full-time enrollment in, a master’s or doctoral program at an accredited U.S. school, and qualifying U.S. citizenship or permanent residency are prerequisites.
- The citizenship criterion cannot be met by a student visa alone.
- It also matters how long you have left to complete your degree.
- For the first funding year and at least nine months of the second, NOAA mandates planned enrollment.
- Your graduate studies’ research is supported by the fellowship and it does not, by itself, grant you a degree or offer a general path to postgraduate study in the United States.
Required Documents
- Completed Application Form
- CV or resume
- Valid Passport
- Reference Letter
- Cover letter
- Other Relevant Supporting Documents
How to Apply for NOAA Davidson Graduate Fellowship?
- Contact the designated reserve representative after reading the reserve management requirements for 2027–2029.
- Choose a question that your graduate research can address and discuss it with your advisor.
- Adhere to the official application guidelines, which include a title page, a one-page interest statement, a five-page narrative, and appendices that include a timetable, references, a budget and rationale, an indirect-cost agreement, an institutional purpose form, support letters, a CV, and transcripts.
- Add at least one more letter of support in addition to the letter from your advisor. Utilize 12-point Times New Roman with the necessary headings and one-inch margins.
- Create a U-M Friend Account after visiting the University of Michigan Davidson Fellowship application website. Fill out the form, attach a separate Excel budget and the combined application PDF, and save.
- An email with your return link is generated after a successful first save. The system automatically submits the saved application at the deadline, although you can make changes until it closes.
- Resave or send an email to DavidsonFellowship@umich.edu without the confirmation.
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Don’t miss this deadline
Applications close on Monday, 7 December 2026. We’ll email you 7, 3 and 1 days before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the NOAA Davidson Graduate Fellowship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply based on the official application guidance.
What is the NOAA Davidson Fellowship?
The NOAA Davidson Fellowship is a two-year funded opportunity that links master’s or doctoral research with the needs of a U.S. estuarine research reserve. It supports research projects through institutional project budgets and includes professional development and reserve-based mentoring.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be admitted to or enrolled full time in a master’s or doctoral program at an accredited U.S. institution and be qualifying U.S. citizens or permanent residents. A student visa does not satisfy the citizenship requirement.
How much funding is available?
A total request of up to $120,000 over two years with an annual ceiling of $60,000 is permitted. Up to $45,000 per year in direct funding for stipends, tuition, supplies, and travel is described in NOAA’s overview. Funding is federal appropriations and continuation requires strong performance.
What documents are required for the application?
Required documents include a completed application form, CV or resume, valid passport, reference letter, cover letter, and other relevant supporting documents. The official guidelines list a title page, one-page interest statement, five-page narrative, appendices, support letters, CV, and transcripts.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline for the NOAA Davidson Fellowship 2027 (for the 2027–2029 cycle) is 7 December 2026. Applicants should ensure submissions are saved and completed in the system before this date.
How should the proposal address reserve needs?
Applicants must contact the designated reserve representative, review reserve management requirements, and propose a research question that addresses the reserve’s priorities. The proposal should explain why the information is significant and who would benefit from the results.
Does the fellowship grant a degree?
No. The fellowship supports graduate research but does not itself grant a degree or provide a general path to postgraduate study. It is intended to fund research partnerships between the student, their advisor, and a reserve.
What are formatting requirements for application documents?
Application documents should use 12-point Times New Roman with necessary headings and one-inch margins. The narrative and appendices should follow the official application guidance and include timetable, references, budget and rationale, and an indirect-cost agreement when applicable.
How is the application submitted?
Applicants must create a U-M Friend Account on the University of Michigan Davidson Fellowship application website, fill out the form, attach the Excel budget and combined application PDF, and save. The system generates an email with a return link and automatically submits the saved application at the deadline.
Can I revise my application after saving?
Yes. The system allows changes until it closes. After a successful first save you receive an email with a return link; you may update the saved application until the deadline. If needed, resave or send an email to DavidsonFellowship@umich.edu without the confirmation.
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