Gudes Scholarship

Scott B. Gudes Public Service Graduate Scholarship in Marine Resource Conservation 

The Scott B. Gudes Public Service Graduate Scholarship in Marine Resource Conservation is established in honor of Mr. Scott B. Gudes who is an avid fisherman and a longstanding supporter of marine resource management and education. Mr. Gudes was a key supporter responsible for the establishment of NOAA Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI). Mr. Gudes served as Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Assistant Administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from 1998 to 2003. He also served as the Acting Administrator/Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere throughout 2001. Most recently, Scott was the Vice President of Government Affairs at the American Sport fishing Association.

This scholarship is awarded to a master’s or doctoral student pursuing a degree in a NOAA Fisheries related discipline whose research has a strong potential to contribute to the advancement of marine resource conservation and who has played an exemplary role in public service.

Amount of the Award:  

$42,000/yr. for a Ph.D. student and $32,000/yr. for a M.S. student. The award is for one year only.  A maximum of five scholarships will be awarded to qualified students between 2022 and 2026 based on the availability of funds.

Eligibility: 

  • Full time graduate student conducting research at the LMRCSC relevant to marine resource conservation for the duration of the award
  • Have and maintain a cumulative 3.5 GPA 
  • Demonstrated scholastic and leadership achievements 
  • Service to the EPP/MSI Cooperative Science Center and the fisheries community
  • Must be a US citizen and a CSC supported student

Scholarship Requirements:

  • Collaborative research with NOAA or state agencies
  • Outreach to and engagement with the commercial or recreational fishing community
  • Provide a written annual report to NOAA EPP/MSI and  Scott B. Gudes on research results and other activities including engagement with the fisheries community
  • Presentation of research results and outreach and engagement activities at professional meetings/workshops/conferences

Application Deadline:

March 8, 2024

*If you have any questions regarding the Scholarship, please contact Dr. Paulinus Chigbu at pchigbu@umes.edu

How to Apply for the Scholarship:

All application materials including a cover letter, curriculum vitae and three letters of recommendation must be submitted LMRCSC through ISpring by the deadline, March 8, 2024.

To access the application: sign in to you ISpring account, then go to the Catalog page using the menu at the top of the ISpring window. Click on Graduate Specific Training, then Gudes Scholarship Application. On the Gudes Scholarship Application page, use the blue button at the top of the page to “add to My Courses.”

Selection Process:

  • Applications will be reviewed by a committee consisting of three individuals not affiliated with the applicant – (two Project Directors of the LMRCSC at partner institutions and the LMRCSC Director, who will chair the committee)
  • The name of the selected student along with the application materials will be communicated to Mr. Gudes and NOAA EPP

Scholarship Award Period:

The scholarship is a twelve month award.

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