Coastal Fellowships Act

S 1552, the Coastal Fellowships Act, establishes two fellowship programs - the Coastal Management Fellowship and Digital Coast Fellowship - to provide training, mentorship, and professional development for individuals pursuing careers in coastal management, policy, science, or law. Qualified fellows receive annual stipends of at least $47,000 (adjusted for inflation) for up to two years, with funding covering travel, health insurance, and professional development. The program directly supports coastal states and partner organizations by building local workforce capacity to address coastal vulnerabilities, while offering direct federal hiring opportunities to successful fellows. It authorizes $1.91 million annually for fiscal years 2024-2028 to administer these fellowships.