Peer-To-Pier Fellowship Program
The purpose of the Peer-To-Pier Fellowship Program, supported by an award from the National Sea Grant College Program and contributions from Oyster South, is to support peer-to-peer learning opportunities for oyster farmers in the southern US to attend industry conferences and shows, as well as visiting peers in other parts of the country to pursue learning opportunities. Funds may not be used to purchase seed or gear. Under this program, at least 8 awards of up to $1,000 each will be provided.
Criteria
- The applicant must be a current commercial off-bottom oyster farmer or enrolled in a formal training program;
- The applicant should clearly indicate the conference, show and/or farm/business visits proposed, with locations and dates noted;
- The applicant should provide a document with at least one written paragraph explaining what he/she hopes to learn from the proposed event and/or site visit and how the information will be used to improve his/her own business;
- The applicant should provide at least one written paragraph indicating how the applicant will share the new information with his/her local colleagues (e.g., agreeing to share photos, delivering a presentation, contributing to an industry newsletter); and
- The applicant must agree to answer follow-up questions about the effectiveness of the learning experience in order to allow assessment of the effectiveness of this program.
Submitting applications
Applications and any questions may be sent to Rusty Grice at rtg0010@auburn.edu or mailed to: Auburn University Marine Extension & Research Center 118 N. Royal Street, Suite 800 Mobile, AL 36602
Fellowship notification
In 2018, applications will be reviewed by the Oyster South Advisory Board on September 1st, October 15th, December 1st and January 15th, or until the funds are expended (whichever comes first). Applicants will be notified within two weeks of the review date. Awardees will be required to register online as a vendor with Auburn University, and the funds will be awarded as a lump-sum honorarium after the travel is completed.
