“The mentorship has been phenomenal. In my office, people just want you to succeed. They just want you to find something that is of interest to you, and they want to give you the support in achieving whatever that is.”
– CHARLES S.
2020 Knauss Fellow
University of Virginia
Application Deadline: February 15, 2024, by 5:00PM EST
The 2025 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship is sponsored by NOAA’s National Sea Grant College Program (NSGCP). This fellowship provides a unique educational and professional experience to graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. Fellows are matched with hosts in the legislative and executive branches of government located in the Washington, D.C. area. The fellowship period is one year and begins on February 1, 2025.
Applicants are required to apply through the Sea Grant program in their state or the state closest to them. All eligible applicants enrolled at a Virginia institution planning to apply are strongly encouraged to contact Virginia Sea Grant prior to submitting an application. All applications received by the state deadline in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will be fully considered.
VASG is committed to building inclusive research, extension, communication, and education programs that serve people from diverse backgrounds, circumstances, needs, perspectives, and ways of thinking. Diversity includes, but is not limited to, age, disability and/or health status, ethnicity, gender identity, geographic origin, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and/or veteran status.
VASG does not tolerate any form of misconduct, discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct (e.g. sexual assault within its organization, at awardee organizations, field sites, meetings, or anywhere VASG-funded research, outreach and education are conducted).
Please watch this webinar from October 24, 2023 if you have questions about the 2025 Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship and application process.
To be eligible for the 2025 fellowship (which lasts February 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026):
This is a one-time fellowship opportunity. Applicants that have participated in the fellowship in past years will not be eligible to submit an application. The one-year fellowship will take place in the National Capital region, so applicants must be able to reside in the Washington, D.C. area. Non-U.S. citizens are responsible for obtaining the appropriate visa to allow them to work in the Washington, D.C. area during the fellowship period. Applicants must be able to pass a federal background security check. Prior contact/arrangements made with possible host offices before the start of the placement week will be cause for immediate disqualification from the process.
Foreign nationals please note: while this fellowship is open to all eligible students regardless of nationality, a significant number of participating Federal host offices are unable to accept foreign nationals as Fellows. This may reduce the number of placement opportunities available to foreign nationals.
Subject to the availability of funding, Sea Grant anticipates funding not less than 35 selected applicants, of which approximately 17 will be assigned to the Legislative branch. Each award is anticipated to be funded at a total of $93,900 in federal funding, which includes a $71,400 stipend, $5,000 for allowable expenses, $2,500 for placement process travel, and up to $15,000 for host office-related travel. The anticipated start date is February 1, 2025, for the 12-month fellowship. These awards cannot be renewed or deferred.
Knauss Fellowships are contingent upon the availability and timeliness of federal appropriations.
Knauss finalists are chosen through a competitive process that includes several rounds of review. If applicants are successful at the state Sea Grant program level, their applications are then reviewed by a national panel of experts. Finalists will travel to Washington, D.C. to interview with several executive or legislative offices. Following placement, they will begin their fellowship in February 2025.
– TAYLOR G.
2020 Knauss Fellow
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Virginia Sea Grant recommends that applicants contact VASG prior to the application deadline to review the submission requirements and learn more about the support our program offers all interested applicants.
For full details on the application requirements, evaluation criteria, and review and selection process, download the VASG fellowship announcement and the 2025 Knauss Fellowship NOFO. For additional information on how to submit your application to VASG, refer to the eSeaGrant Instructions. All of the above can be found in the Related Documents sidebar.
Applicants are encouraged to contact VASG to indicate their interest in the fellowship, discuss the application process, and schedule an interview. Applicants can express their interest by sending a short, simple email – please include “Knauss Fellowship” in the subject line.
Applications must be submitted online via eSeaGrant. If you plan to apply, we recommend registering for eSeaGrant at least two weeks in advance of the deadline. VASG cannot accept late applications as outlined in the NOFO, please allow ample time to submit your application
To maintain confidentiality, DO NOT submit letters with the student’s application. Letters must be requested and uploaded through eSeaGrant, be submitted by the deadline, and should be addressed to Dr. Troy Hartley, Director, Virginia Sea Grant.
Stay up-to-date on fellowship, internship, training, and research funding opportunities offered by Virginia Sea Grant.
Stay up-to-date on fellowship, internship, and research funding opportunities offered by Virginia Sea Grant.
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