“This new NC STEM Policy Fellowship — focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics — provides a unique, in-state, non-academic career opportunity that may lead to greater retention of these highly trained individuals in state,” notes Susan White, North Carolina Sea Grant executive director.

Sea Grant will administer the pilot program in 2020-21. Funds provided through Sea Grant and a generous matching grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund allow for two fellowships to begin Aug. 1, 2020. The fellowships are full-time positions at 40 hours per week working with the host offices. 

One fellow will be placed at the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Office of Science, Technology & Innovation. Areas of work may include (but are not limited to): assistance with policies to support offshore wind energy; implementing recommendations provided in the “North Carolina’s Opportunities in the Data Economy” report; drafting work plans and/or policy recommendations crafted by the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation; and engaging with board members and other key stakeholders to address statewide income and innovation inequality.

One fellow will be placed at the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s State Energy Office. Areas of work may include (but not be limited to) items related to the state’s Climate Risk Assessment and Resiliency Plan. Executive Order 80 requires that the plan be submitted to Gov. Roy Cooper in March 2020. The fellow may help explore policy options/solutions for prioritized recommended actions. The fellow also may work on items related to the N.C. Clean Energy Plan, such as evaluating policy designs for carbon reduction strategies, like offshore wind energy.