Are you considering applying?

Before you apply

Are you a good fit?

All trainees will engage in a transdisciplinary core curriculum that focuses on convergence of diverse types of knowledge and data to support ecosystem science. In particular, our training program emphasizes convergence of natural and social science, local and traditional ecological knowledge, and new data streams from such sources as genomics, computer science, remote sensing and oceanography, addressing critical gaps in current disciplinary training programs.

The goals of our program are as follows:

  1. Train the next generation of scientists, managers, policymakers and change-agents in convergent approaches to ecosystem science so that they are equipped with the professional skills and knowledge needed to develop successful careers in marine and sustainability science.
  2. Develop approaches for integrating and communicating knowledge derived from big data from computational science, ecology, genomics, oceanography, and the social sciences with traditional and local ecological knowledge to advance ecosystem science and improve stewardship of ocean systems.
  3. Develop and institutionalize a new curriculum and academic culture that advances equitable, inclusive research and graduate training by integrating diverse types of knowledge, data, and ways of knowing through inter- and transdisciplinary coursework, community engagement, and collaborative research.
  4. Create an inclusive, evidence-based model for engaging STEM graduate trainees in place-based, solutions-oriented research that can be adapted and applied elsewhere.
  5. Build the research, education, and collaborative capacity needed for communities and their partners in government and civil society to be resilient and adapt in the face of climate impacts.

If these goals align with your interests, keep reading!

Eligibility

Our National Research Traineeship is designed for graduate students pursuing MS or PhD degrees. Participating students will have several degree options: (1) MS or PhD in an academic department (e.g., School of Marine Sciences, Department of Anthropology, School of Computing & Information Science, School of Earth & Climate Sciences); (2) MS or PhD in a multidisciplinary program (e.g., Ecology & Environmental Sciences); or (3) Interdisciplinary MA (iMA) and PhD (iPhD) degrees jointly designed by trainees and faculty.

Like other graduate training programs, applicants will be evaluated based on a range of factors, including previous experience and training. Applicants’ research interests, personal statement, resume, and letters of recommendation are important in admission and funding decisions. As per NSF requirements, only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to receive funding through the NRT.

Contacting faculty advisors

Prior to submitting an application to the University of Maine Graduate School, we encourage you to contact potential NRT faculty advisors to inquire if they are accepting new students. You should try to match your own areas of interest with those of your potential faculty advisor. See our list of faculty advisors in the “Meet Our Team” section of our homepage. You may also contact Joshua Stoll (joshua.stoll@maine.edu) for help identifying a potential faculty advisor. When reaching out, we encourage you to provide a brief overview of your background / interests as well as a copy of your resume.

Applying

You will need to complete the following steps:

Step 1. Submit a formal application to the Graduate School

If you are encouraged to apply by a potential NRT faculty advisor, please follow the application instructions provided by The University of Maine Graduate School. At this stage, you will be required to select a graduate program. For example, if your faculty advisor is based in the School of Marine Sciences, you might apply to the Marine Policy program. Be sure to indicate NRT-Ecosystem Science in your personal statement as part of your UMaine graduate application. 

If you are a current UMaine graduate student, you can skip this step and apply directly to the NRT program.

Step 2. Apply to the NRT program

After submitting your application to the UMaine Graduate School, please complete this Google Form. The form includes several questions as well as a short statement (300-400 words) that explains why you are interested in participating in the UMaine Ecosystem Science NRT program. Discuss your educational background, work experience, and relevant public service/civic engagement as well as your motivation for applying to this program. In addition, we ask you to list which NRT faculty advisor(s) you think would be the best fit. This information will be used to help determine alignment with our program goals, and also to create cohorts of students to engage in interdisciplinary research. 

After you apply

NRT faculty advisor selections and review

Once your application is complete, it will be reviewed by the NRT program selection committee. For applicants seeking to matriculate in Fall 2025, we anticipate making decisions by mid-February 2025.  Acceptance into the NRT will be contingent on admission into a graduate program at the University of Maine. 

Admission and funding decisions

Our admission decision is forwarded to the Graduate School, which will send you an official letter of admission. Funding, including fellowships, is arranged through your NRT faculty advisor and any offers of funding will come from them.

If you have questions or need help completing your application, please contact Tracy MacKeracher (tracy.mackeracher@maine.edu) or Joshua Stoll (joshua.stoll@maine.edu).