In 1997, the NERRS initiated funding for a competitive Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) program to promote the use of the reserves as sites for applied research.  These fellowships provide selected graduate students with financial support for research projects that address coastal zone management issues, fall within the NERRS research priorities, and are conducted, at least partially, within a NERRS site. Graduate students participating in the GRF program are asked to provide up to 15 hours per week of research assistance to participating reserves.

 

 

 

 

There is an increased graduate student involvement in South Slough NERR research projects through participation in the NERRS Graduate Research Fellowship program and collaborations with universities.  The South Slough NERR research coordinator holds adjunct faculty appointments with the University of Oregon and Oregon State University, and serves as an advisor for graduate thesis committees.  The Reserve currently shares administrative resources and laboratory facilities with the University of Oregon Institute of Marine Biology.  The South Slough NERR has supported four graduate students conducting research in the Reserve through the GRF program from 1998-2003.