Working with lawmakers on ocean and coastal policy
Oregon Sea Grant sponsors a state legislative fellowship for a graduate student interested in marine and coastal issues during the Oregon legislative session. The primary duties of this fellowship are:
- Provide technical expertise on marine and coastal issues to legislators
- Provide timely reports on current coastal issues for Sea Grant and other interested parties
- Help a student develop knowledge of the legislative process as it relates to coastal and ocean issues
- Encourage a student to develop skills necessary to work with various levels of government and with private and state resource organizations
Additional details are provided below and in an informational webinar recording about the 2022 Legislative Fellowship opportunity. A PDF of the webinar slides is available as well.
We hosted an "Open Q&A Session" on September 17, 2024 at 2:00 – 2:30PM Pacific and will host one again before the next opportunity.
Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Award
The stipend for this fellowship provides at least $4,000 per month from November until 10 days after the session ends or until August 31, 2025, whichever comes first. In addition to living expenses, the stipend may be used to support fellowship-related professional development, educational supplies, health insurance, and travel expenses. All OSG fellows are required to have health insurance.
Additional details about the opportunity can be accessed in the full OSG Legislative Fellowship Request for Application (PDF).
How to Apply
Oregon Sea Grant uses eSeaGrant for fellowship application submissions. To access eSeaGrant, send an email declaring your interest in applying. Please include the name of the fellowship you wish to apply for in the subject line. An eSeaGrant account will then be created for you. All components of your application, including letters of recommendation, will be submitted through eSeaGrant. Stating your interest does not obligate you to apply. We are here to provide assistance as needed; however, please do not wait until the last minute to apply.
Next Deadline
The next deadline for this fellowship will be October 2026.
Morgan Oberman (2025)
Assignment: My assignment is a legislative fellowship with the Oregon Coastal Caucus. I will provide legislators with technical and research assistance in the development of marine and coastal policy.
Education: I am a current third-year law student at Lewis & Clark Law School interested in specializing in environmental and marine legal issues. I completed my Bachelor of Science in marine biology with a minor in Japanese language at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. I studied international business law abroad in Japan at Santa Clara Law School during the summer of 2024.
Professional and Research Interests: I am passionate about the development of policy solutions to address challenges facing sustainable fishing and the management of coastal and marine resources. I am interested in the development of such policy at the State, Federal, and international levels. Additionally, I aim to advocate for stakeholders’ interest in promoting the sustainability of marine and coastal resources.
Megan Davis (2022-2023)
Assignment: Megan will be working with the Coastal Caucus to provide technical expertise on marine and coastal issues to state legislators through her appointment as the 2023 Oregon Sea Grant Legislative Fellow. In this position, Megan will provide direct support to members of the Coastal Caucus throughout the 2023 legislative session while also acting as a resource for communication with coastal constituents and key stakeholder groups.
Education: Megan graduated from New York University with a B.F.A. for her double major in Environmental Studies and Studio Art. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Integrative Biology at Oregon State University. Her research focuses on the capacity to co-locate additional marine activities with offshore wind.
Professional and Research Interests: Megan has long been interested in the intersection between science, policy, and communication, particularly as it relates to marine science. She has held positions within this arena at both the federal and municipal level and looks forward to expanding her expertise at the state level as the Oregon Sea Grant Legislative Fellow. With this experience, Megan hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the political process and the mechanics of how scientific research translates to policy outcome.
Connect with Megan for more on X (@meggafauna) or LinkedIn