The Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) is seeking one Communications Fellow to join our small, mission-driven team for a hands-on, mentored fellowship experience at the intersection of coastal ocean and Great Lakes science, community engagement, and public service. This fellowship is designed as an extension of a student's graduate education: an opportunity to grow into new skills, focusing on strategic communications, science communication, and public awareness of binational Great Lakes data and information.

The GLOS Great Lakes Communications Fellowship will begin January 4, 2027 and will end January 3, 2028, with the possibility of extension to a second year based on performance and continued funding. Students who have recently completed or are within one academic term of completing a graduate degree or professional program at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution are eligible for the fellowship. Applicants must demonstrate interest in science communication, public outreach, and the binational policy decisions affecting Great Lakes resources.

About the Fellowship Experience
Working with mentors from the GLOS communications team and the IOOS Association's national Service Delivery and Communications initiative, Great Lakes Communications Fellows help build greater public awareness of the data, tools, and services that support safety and decision-making on the Great Lakes. The fellow will contribute to the next phase of GLOS's strategic communications work, including a multimedia library of b-roll, short thematic videos, and web content that helps the public and partner organizations understand and apply Great Lakes observing data.

This one-year fellowship will help shape how GLOS and the IOOS network communicate about the Great Lakes, through development of training videos and other digital content that explain day-to-day applications of GLOS data, such as mobile apps for boating, beach safety, and hazard forecasting, and through targeted outreach to communicators who relay this information to the public, including broadcast meteorologists and emergency responders. As a binational fellowship, the Fellow will also help strengthen coordinated public communication and outreach between Great Lakes agencies and organizations in both Canada and the United States. This fellowship provides support for a student's efforts and enhances academic and professional development opportunities.

Working with members of the Great Lakes science, communications, and information/education communities, the Fellow will contribute to and benefit from content development, media relations, and audience research activities.

Fellows will receive training and help support GLOS programs related to strategic communications and public engagement with water resource science and policy. Our fellowship program is one way GLOS seeks to help meet the region's science-communications workforce needs, support a pipeline of professionals ready to translate complex environmental information for the public, and contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of the Great Lakes' water resources.

Funding
The fellowship will provide a total package of $40,000 in stipend, benefits, and travel. 

The Fellow will receive $35,000 as a stipend to cover living expenses. Of the remaining funds, GLOS provides up to $5,000 to cover health insurance and relocation expenses; any remaining balance shall be used first to satisfy academic degree-related activities, and second for fellowship-related activities. Up to $3,000 of the total package can be used to cover travel related to professional development activities during the year.

During the fellowship, GLOS may provide supplemental funds for work-related travel by the Fellow, such as attendance at Great Lakes science or policy conferences. 

Indirect costs are not allowable from fellowship funds, either for the fellowship itself or for any costs associated with it.