Latin American Fishery Fellows Program
Fellowship Support for Master of Environmental Science and Management Degree
BACKGROUND
The Bren School of Environmental Science & Management (Bren School) at the University of California, Santa
Barbara (UCSB) is pleased to announce the Latin American Fishery Fellows Program. This new opportunity
will provide full fellowship support (tuition, fees, health insurance, supplies, stipend, travel) for a two-year
Master of Environmental Science & Management degree (MESM), with a concentration in Coastal Marine
Resources Management, for up to four highly qualified students who are dedicated to a career in Latin America.
The mission of the Bren School is to play a leading role in researching environmental issues, training scientists
and environmental management professionals, and identifying and solving environmental problems around the
world. The MESM program offers an interdisciplinary, solution-oriented curriculum with rigorous training in
the physical, biological and social sciences, policy, management, modeling, data analysis and information
management. The degree teaches students to interpret, design, communicate and implement policy and
management solutions so that they may successfully assume leadership positions in a variety of contexts.
FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The Latin American Fishery Fellows program offers a rich education in science, economics, policy, and law,
augmented by specialized training in market-based sustainable fisheries management and marine conservation.
Fellows will receive career-oriented training, including preparation in collaborative problem solving and
development of leadership and project management skills. The fellowship will include all components of the
Bren MESM program (course work, group thesis project, paid summer internship, training in communications
and eco-entrepreneurship, and career placement assistance). Additionally, it will provide fellows with access to
intensive English-language training prior to starting the MESM program, as well as specialized seminars,
intensive workshops, and a fellow-led speaker series focused on Latin American fisheries issues, market-based
fisheries management, coastal marine management, and conservation planning.
The goal of the program is to train a new generation of fisheries and marine-resource managers, conservation
practitioners and environmental leaders. Alumni will be poised to develop, disseminate, and implement marketbased approaches for solving fisheries and other ocean-management challenges throughout Latin America. The
broader goal is to build capacity in Latin American countries to ensure abundant seafood, support coastal
communities, and sustain marine ecosystems.
REQUIREMENTS & APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Qualified applicants must demonstrate longstanding interest and relevant experience in the areas of marine
conservation, fisheries reform, and/or market-based approaches. They must also show strong dedication to
pursuing a career in the areas of marine conservation and/or fisheries management in Latin America.
Prospective fellows will apply to the UCSB Graduate Division and the Bren School of Environmental Science &
Management (see Admissions). All applications for graduate study at UCSB are submitted online to the
Graduate Division and are not submitted directly to the Bren School. Supplementary materials, including a
statement of relevant experience and career plans, will be sent directly to the Bren School. For more
information, please see http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/admissions/fisheries_fellowship.htm. Contact us at
fishfellows@bren.ucsb.edu to indicate interest in applying for the fellowship and to receive more information on
the supplementary application materials. You may also contact us at the same address to secure a consultation,
an informal preliminary review of all application materials, assistance with university application procedures,
and information on GRE test requirements.