Gulf Research Program Early-Career Research Fellowships

About this program

The National Academies’ Gulf Research Program (GRP) offers Early-Career Research Fellowships to support emerging scientific leaders pursuing novel research, unique collaborations, and network-building to improve offshore energy system safety and the well‑being of Gulf coastal communities, ecosystems, and human health. Fellowships provide relatively unrestricted funding, mentoring, and professional-development support to help researchers navigate the critical pre‑tenure period. Applicants should be early‑career (pre‑tenure) scientists, engineers, or health professionals with demonstrated scholarly promise and a research agenda directly relevant to oil system safety, environmental protection, or human health in the Gulf region. For the 2026 cycle the program is organized into Community, Energy, and Environment tracks; the Education Research track will not be offered.