Maine Policy Scholars
The Maine Policy Scholars Program was conceived by the late Peter Cox to engage students from the University of Maine System in the public policy process.
During the course of the academic year, one student from each of the state's seven campuses works with a faculty advisor and community mentor to tackle a real-life policy issue that Maine faces.
The scholars conduct extensive research from literature, data analysis, interviews - or all three. Each produces a final report as a memo to the governor or appropriate policymaker that outlines the problem, data available, and recommended policy solutions.
Topics can be local (energy conservation strategies for campus buildings, for example) or of statewide significance (strategies to keep Maine university graduates in state). In all cases, the topics are expected to be well-defined, subject to research, and of real concern to Maine or a segment of its people.
The scholars meet at least twice times as a group with all the academic advisors, community mentors, and program leaders. They also regularly consult with their advisors on campus to focus the work, check progress, and for input on their research. Community mentors, who meet throughout the year with the students, are a link to the world off campus and serve as a “reality check” for the scholars’ work.
One of Maine’s most important characteristics is the openness of its public policy process. Legislators, the governor, and local and state agency leaders are accessible and interested in practical solutions to real-life problems. The Maine Policy Scholars gives our students an opportunity to experience that process and at the same time make meaningful contributions to our future.
2024-2025 Maine Policy Scholar Application Information
Please contact the campus advisor to discuss your project idea and to confirm the application process for your campus. Student scholarship funding: $5,000 toward tuition, $1,000 research expense reimbursement; Faculty advisor stipend: $1,500. The program runs from June 2024 – May 2025.
University of Maine, Augusta
Dr. James Cook, james.m.cook@maine.edu
Application deadline: March 22 at 5 p.m.
University of Maine, Farmington
Dr. James Melcher, jim.melcher@maine.edu
Application deadline: TBD
University of Maine Fort Kent
Dr. Tanya Sleeper, tanya.sleeper@maine.edu
Application deadline: March 25
University of Maine, Machias
Dr. Eric Jones, eric.jones1@maine.edu
Application deadline: TBD
University of Maine, Orono
Dr. Brian Pitman, brian.pitman@maine.edu
Application deadline: March 15
University of Maine, Presque Isle (information to come)
University of Southern Maine (information to come)
2022 Maine Policy Scholar Memos
Eve Fischer
The 2021 scholars, affiliations, and topics are listed below. Click on the topic to access the policy memo. Note that the views expressed in the policy memos are those of the scholars based on their research and understanding of the issue. They do not reflect the views of the Maine Community Foundation or of the academic institutions represented by the scholars.
Eve Fischer, University of Maine at Farmington
Evaluating Policy Solutions for Establishing a Green Crab Market in Maine
You can read more about past scholars’ experiences with the program here.
The Maine Policy Scholars program is managed by the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine in partnership with MaineCF. For more information, contact Jackie Shannon, scholarship manger, at jshannon@mainecf.org
2021 Correction
Ms. Lindsay Kay’s 2021 memo for the Maine Policy Scholars Program contained the quote:
“Madonna Mooney, a presenter at the Opioid Response Summit emphasized that the risk of overdose greatly increases with the loss of a child through CPS apprehension.”
This is incorrect. This quote was mistakenly attributed to Ms. Mooney. Ms. Mooney did not make this or any similar statements, was not a presenter at Opioid Response Summit, never met or communicated with Ms. Kay, nor was interviewed for this project. The Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center sends our sincerest apologies to Ms. Mooney for the misattribution and extends our appreciation for her bringing this matter to our attention.
For further inquiries related to this error, please contact Jamie Wren at Jamie.a.wren@maine.edu.
