Maine Revised Statutes

1. Fellowship program established.  There is established within the department the Governor's Marine Studies Fellowship Program to encourage the study of disciplines important to the conservation, management and utilization of marine resources. Those disciplines include, but are not limited to: applied aquaculture research in culture techniques, engineering, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment and product technology; marine science with focus on research in support of resource management and sustainability, including marine fisheries science and assessment, ecology and life history, water quality and contaminants, coastal oceanography, marine biotechnology and technology development and transfer; and marine resource policy and management. The program must provide support for undergraduate and graduate students at colleges and universities chartered in the State.

2. Program administration.  The commissioner shall seek the advice and participation of academic and aquaculture and fisheries industry representatives in administering the Governor's Marine Studies Fellowship Program and in the award process. The commissioner shall establish program guidelines that provide for contributing support from academic institutions and aquaculture and fishing industry organizations at a minimum matching level for non-state participation of 2 non-state dollars for each state dollar and may provide for contributions by other interests that wish to provide fellowship support.

3. Fund established.  There is established within the department the Governor's Marine Studies Fellowship Fund. The commissioner may receive funds from nongeneral fund sources for use in the Governor's Marine Studies Fellowship Program. All money received into the fund must be used for the purposes of the program. Unexpended balances in the fund at the end of the fiscal year do not lapse but must be carried forward to the next fiscal year to be used for the purposes of the fellowship fund.