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Bob Graham Center for Public Service College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

For Students

Earn your degree while doing meaningful work to promote stewardship, resiliency, and innovation in communities around the Gulf.

Become a UF Gulf Scholar

Become a UF Gulf Scholar

Focus your studies on the Gulf and contribute to meaningful service in Gulf communities.
Gulf Impact Project

Gulf Impact Project

Ways to find experiential learning opportunities and fund your Gulf Impact Project.
Personalized Advising

Personalized Advising

Let us help you plan your Gulf Scholars journey.

Student News

Students completing field work in Cedar Key, Florida.

Apply Now: Spring 2027 Gulf Scholars Internships in Gulf Communities

Ready to make an impact on Florida’s Gulf Coast? UF Gulf Scholars is now accepting applications for three funded Spring 2027 internship experiences in Gulf communities across Florida. These immersive opportunities allow students to gain hands-on experience, work alongside community partners, explore issues of resilience and sustainability, and build valuable academic and professional skills—all while earning a $1,200 stipend and academic credit. Open to all UF students, these competitive opportunities are a chance to connect classroom learning with real-world impact. Apply by Sunday, October 25 at 11:59 PM.

Funding Opportunity: Support for Student Gulf Impact Projects 

Do you have a Gulf-related internship, research opportunity, or other experiential learning activity in mind? Are you working with a faculty mentor or community partner and looking for funding to support your project? The Gulf Scholars Program is offering funding to help you pursue these impactful opportunities focused on the Gulf region. 

Tourists and beach goers inspect a Sargassum bloom on a Florida beach.

How Nicole Schmidt Found Her Voice in Science Communication 

During her internship with the UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute, Gulf Scholar Nicole Schmidt transformed complex environmental science into compelling stories for the public. From an interactive StoryMap on Florida’s growing sargassum problem to newsletters and social media, she developed the skills and confidence to make Gulf Coast research more accessible and engaging.

Sea Turtle grazing on Thalassia testudinum, commonly known as Turtle Grass.

Measuring Change Beneath the Waves: Paris Reynolds’ Role in Protecting Florida’s Seagrass Meadows 

University of Florida student Paris Reynolds contributed to research on Florida’s seagrass meadows, studying turtle grass to better understand how coastal ecosystems respond to changing environmental conditions. Her work supports long-term monitoring efforts that help scientists identify early signs of ecosystem stress and inform conservation and restoration strategies.

Paynes Prairie Preserve signage at Trailhead

Protecting Florida’s State Parks, One Map at a Time 

Using GIS, spatial analysis, and conservation data, Sarah Green assessed how proposed state legislation could affect more than 150,000 acres of Florida’s public lands. Her work with the Florida Springs Council supported advocacy efforts and illustrated the important role scientific analysis plays in shaping environmental policy and public engagement.

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