Students entering our Freshwater Sciences MS Thesis and PhD programs must be funded by a Research Assistantship (RA) or Teaching Assistantship (TA), both of which provide tuition remission, a monthly stipend, and health insurance. Information about current graduate funding opportunities can be found below.
Water Policy and Science Communications Graduate Student Research Fellowship
- Faculty Supervisor: Melissa Scanlan
- Fellowship Description: The Water Policy and Science Communications Graduate Student Research Fellow will be enrolled in the MS Freshwater Sciences: Water Policy (Thesis) program at UWM’s School of Freshwater Sciences to conduct original thesis research around the topics of water policy, science, and communication. The specific topic of the student’s work will be determined by the student, in consultation with Center for Water Policy Director, Melissa Scanlan. Professor Scanlan will supervise the student work and serve as the student’s advisor. The work performed by the student will culminate in a thesis that will be defended before graduation. The student may have an opportunity to work with Dan Egan, Journalist in Residence and author of Death and Life of the Great Lakes and The Devil’s Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance. The Fellow will also be employed 50% time in the Center for Water Policy. The Fellow will join a thriving interdisciplinary team focused on applying academic research to conserve, restore, and protect freshwater. The Fellow will develop multimedia communications, outreach materials, and strategies for Center publications, media, and events. These responsibilities involve stakeholder engagement and social media savvy.
- Scope of Funding: The Fellowship will begin in Fall 2026 and run through Spring 2028. Fellows earn competitive pay ($22,285/academic year), health insurance, a graduate tuition waiver, and the possibility of summer student hourly work.
- Contact Instructions: Please email Tressie Kamp at waterpolicy@uwm.edu with questions or your interest in applying to the Fellowship and the graduate program. Please send a resume/CV (1-2 pages) and a letter of interest in this position (1 page).
TA funding opportunities available for Fall 2026 on an as-needed basis.
Additional RA Opportunities
We encourage prospective graduate students to email faculty members they are interested in working with to inquire about upcoming RA opportunities that may not be posted yet. The email should include a brief statement of interest, academic transcripts, and an updated CV or resume.
Learn more about our faculty and their research on our Freshwater Research page.