Foster Scholars posing behind the Dr. Nancy Foster Florida Keys Complex sign

The application period for the 2025 Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program has closed. While we are unable to onboard new scholars this fiscal year, we are pleased to share that the highest ranked applications from the FY2025 competition will remain eligible for consideration during the FY2026 selection process pending next year's appropriations. As a result, there will not be an open Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for FY2026, since the top applicants from last year’s competition will be carried forward for consideration in the next selection cycle.

In accordance with the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program recognizes outstanding scholarship and encourages independent graduate level research in oceanography, marine biology, maritime archaeology—these may include but are not limited to ocean and/or coastal: engineering, social science, marine education, marine stewardship, cultural anthropology, and resource management disciplines.

In order to have a competitive application for the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program, you need to demonstrate academic excellence and financial need. It is recommended that you review the following bullets to assess whether or not you should apply for this scholarship.

  1. Your research proposal aligns closely with NOAA's mission, with particular emphasis on meeting the science priorities of the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. This is worth up to 30 points of your full application score.
  2. Your financial need statement documents a strong financial need due to challenges, hardships, or other information through a compelling personal narrative. This is worth up to 25 points of your full application score.
  3. You have exceptional letters of recommendation. This is worth up to 10 points of your full application score.
  4. Historically, proposals that do not support the science or education priorities of NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary System do not rank as high.
  5. If you are in the last year of your Masters or Ph.D. program, it is not advised to apply for this scholarship.

Dr. Nancy Foster

Dr. Nancy FosterDr. Foster was a marine biologist known for her science-based conservation of coastal aquatic life. Dr. D. James Baker, the former Administrator of NOAA, asked Dr. Foster to be the new head of National Ocean Service (NOS) in 1997. During her short stay at the National Ocean Service, she increased the agency's strength and stature, and positioned NOS to lead the nation in coastal stewardship. The reinvention and invigoration of NOS, completed in 1999, was conceptualized and developed under her guidance.

Dr. Nancy Foster's Legacy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Scholarship? May only new students apply? May I apply if I am currently applying to graduate programs? May I upload more than two letters of recommendation? How do I fill out the Standard Form 424 (SF-424)?

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Class of 2025

Due to funding limitations, no new Dr. Foster Scholars were selected in 2025.

Julia Barrows

Dr. Nancy Foster Scholars can expect support by NOAA throughout their scholarship experience, as well as help to create a pathway to a future career. NOAA staff will mentor and foster collaborative experiences for each scholar. Through hands-on research, policy and education, the National Marine Sanctuary System provides a classroom away from universities and colleges to allow for students to experience real world science in some of the United States most special underwater treasures and to become ambassadors for NOAA and the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program applicants are encouraged to document how their research activities support NOAA's mission, particularly the mission of the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and the science priorities and specific needs assessment of the National Marine Sanctuary System.