Virginia Sea Grant

TOGETHER FOR VIRGINIA A Seven-university partnership Imagine combining the resources of Virginia’s top institutions and using them to find innovative solutions to marine and coastal challenges faced by the Commonwealth. Together we work to improve coastal ecosystems, coastal communities, and working waterfronts by financially supporting researchers, graduate fellows, extension members, and interns. Alongside these universities and a variety of other partners, we act as an “honest broker” to spread useful, unbiased, and science-based knowledge to a wide variety of audiences and constituents. The Research and Education Advisory Committee (REAC) The members of the Research and Education Advisory Committee are active participants in the regular operations of Virginia Sea Grant, including strategic planning, programmatic policy development, and recruitment. The REAC is composed of representatives from each of VASG’s partner institutions and meets twice annually. What We Do Funding & Fellowships We support graduate students through research fellowships and post-graduate students in fellowships in science policy and resource management. We also support national Sea Grant funding competitions and extension agents who conduct and communicate research for coastal communities that can benefit from it. Virginia Sea Grant is excited to support the future leaders in coastal and marine science, by offering a range of research fellowships that provide graduate support, as well as opportunities to work with stakeholders and gain the necessary professional skills to help them be successful. Virginia Sea Grant’s professional post-graduate fellowships offer on-the-job training where fellows can work directly with state and federal agencies on coastal policy and management issues. Coastal Adaptation From helping communities plan for coastal storms, to bringing together design professionals to hear about the newest nature-based flood solutions, and improving living shoreline designs or evacuation communication — our fellows and extension help coastal communities thrive. Virginia Sea Grant supports established collaborations as well as new or emerging collaborations that respond to dynamic challenges. Professional Development Our fellowships support tomorrow’s leaders in coastal science and resource management while addressing today’s research needs. Our research fellows collaborate with a professional mentor to connect their research to communities that can use it — whether that’s fishery managers, local government planners, or farmers on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Our fellows work with a professional development coordinator to identify areas for growth and meet each fellow’s unique goals. During the fellowship, students have the opportunity to participate in science communication training, collaborative team science training, and networking events. Supporting Seafood Virginia is the third-largest producer of seafood in the United States, and our seafood industry has an annual economic impact of more than half a billion dollars. Virginia Sea Grant supports the seafood industry through extension work on topics like food safety and aquaculture, and research that keeps our coastal resources healthy. Virginia’s seafood industry includes more than 80 fish species from the tidal rivers, Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean. Virginia Sea Grant extension work with the fishing industry and seafood processors to ensure safe, sustainable, and delicious seafood makes it to restaurants, markets, and dinner tables across the nation.