LEADERSHIP FOR CLIMATE-RESILIENT FISHERIES FELLOWSHIP 

 

 

 

Applications are currently closed.

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Sustainable Ocean Alliance and Environmental Defense Fund are proud to offer the Leadership for Climate-Resilient Fisheries (LCRF) fellowship. This program supports early career change-makers and fishing community members who are working to advance fisheries and their communities’ ecological and socioeconomic resilience to climate change. Fellows receive grant funding and capacity-building experiences in the form of mentorship and training facilitated by Sustainable Ocean Alliance and the Environmental Defense Fund's Climate-Resilient Fisheries and Oceans teams. 

Through the fellowship, SOA and EDF aim to build an ecosystem of fisheries-focused leaders who understand the principles of climate resilience and how to advance locally-appropriate solutions to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

To date, 30 fellows from 15 countries have participated in three fellowship cohorts:

  • 2021 LCRF-Southeast Asia

  • 2022 LCRF-US

  • 2023 LCRF-Global

Read about some past fellows here.

LCRF

About the 2023 US Fellowship: 

The 2023 fellowship is for projects that impact a US-based fishery. The fellowship term begins October 16, 2023, and ends July 26, 2024, and includes an in-person capacity-building seminar in Washington D.C. over two days in February 2024. All costs related to travel and lodging in D.C. will be covered. In addition to this trip, fellows are expected to attend at least three workshops led by EDF.

Application Requirements

Preference is given to projects affiliated with an organization, and the maximum grant award is $15,000 US. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and recipients of the 2023 U.S. Cohort will be notified by October 13, 2023. 

  • Initiatives must impact United States fisheries

  • Applicant must be 18-35 years old and/or possess 10 years or fewer of relevant experience

  • Proposals must include outputs (see "Outputs and Activities") that are complete in time for the final report on July 26, 2024. (By which time all grant funds must be spent).

 

 

Applications for 2025 are currently not being accepted.

 

 

Program Components

As part of the program, fellows build a stronger foundation of technical and leadership skills through mentorship, skill-building workshops, and online resources from the EDF Fishery Solutions Center. Participants will gain a profound understanding of the impacts of climate change on fisheries, and learn about best practices to identify and advance solutions for greater resilience.

In support of project advancement, fellows will develop and track key performance indicators to serve as guiding metrics around sustainability and resilience. 

Special benefits include:

  • 1:1 mentorship opportunities from EDF fisheries experts and SOA mentors, 

  • A subsidized trip to Washington, D.C. to engage with congressional decision-makers and share about their projects on Capitol Hill

  • The opportunity to network and build connections with change-makers around the world

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies as a US Fishery?

A US fishery is an area where aquatic organisms (fish, crustaceans, molluscs, etc.) are harvested or raised within U.S. waters, or the process of doing so.

Do project leaders have to reside in the US?

No.

What does the D.C. Seminar entail?

The D.C. Seminar will include a brief training around engaging political decision makers, leadership training, and meeting with congressional staffers on Capitol Hill to share about fellowship projects. Travel, food, and lodging will be covered by the fellowship.

See more SOA Grants Program FAQs.