DURHAM, N.H. - A new N.H. Sea Grant fellowship program will contribute to the education and development of juniors and seniors attending New Hampshire colleges for marine sciences.

The Brian E. Doyle Undergraduate Fellowship Program was established at the University of New Hampshire in honor of its namesake to contribute to the education and development of individuals interested in marine science. Four students pursuing careers in marine science, marine social science and policy, oceanography or ocean engineering will be chosen through a competitive process and awarded up to $2,000 per year in research stipend and tuition support. For more information and to apply by the April 30, 2010 deadline, please visit http://www.marine.unh.edu.  

"The Brian E. Doyle Undergraduate Fellowships in Marine Science are designed not only to support students interested in establishing careers in applied coastal ocean science, but also to provide an opportunity to work with the Sea Grant model of integrating science with extension actions to serve the nation's coasts," said Jonathan Pennock, director of N.H. Sea Grant.

Brian Doyle was a long-time supporter of the marine sciences, Sea Grant and undergraduate education. He began working at UNH in 1980 and was well-respected among his colleagues and friends. He most recently served as the associate director of N.H. Sea Grant and program leader for UNH Cooperative Extension's Water Resources prior to his death in December 2008.

"Over the years, Brian always felt that N.H. Sea Grant and the broader national Sea Grant network did an excellent job of supporting researchers and their graduate students," Pennock said, "but he felt that we could do a better job of encouraging undergraduate students to pursue degree programs and ultimately careers in marine science-related fields."

Doyle's dedication to coastal issues and student development made the decision to start a fellowship program in his name an obvious one. "We can think of no better way to honor his commitment to these issues and to serving the students of the state," Pennock added.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 12,200 undergraduate and 2,200 graduate students.

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