As a Knauss fellow, Kathy hopes to address the consequences of climate change through science policy. She will spend the year-long fellowship working in the National Sea Grant Office.
Kathy L.
2021 Knauss Fellow
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Information For Letter Writers
Application Deadline: February 19, 2025, by 5:00PM EST
Recommendation Letters
Letters should be submitted by the students with their application. Letters should be requested by the students and returned prior to the application deadline. Recommendations should be addressed to Dr. Troy Hartley, Director, Virginia Sea Grant.
- A letter of recommendation from two individuals who have worked with the student, including at least one from a faculty member with knowledge of the student’s academic and research (when applicable) performance.
- Letters should not exceed two pages, single-spaced.
- These letters should discuss the following attributes of the student: self-motivation, response to setbacks, skills and involvement in teamwork, collaborative leadership skills, willingness to learn a new skill or topic, academic and performance and potential. Additionally, the letters should speak to anything else the review panel should know about the strengths that the student will bring to the fellowship.
The letters should not include personal contact information or web links to external resources (e.g., LinkedIn, articles, blogs, etc.)
INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR: December 11, 2025, at 3:30 PM EST Watch Here.
Fostering a Safe and Welcome Community
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.Â
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).
2026 Knauss Fellowship Timeline
February 2025
Applications due to Virginia Sea Grant – February 19, 2025 by 5:00PM EST.
March 2025
VASG review of application packages, applicant interviews.
April/May 2025
VASG will nominate up to six applications for the national competition – April 16, 2025 by 11:59PM EDT.
National review panel and finalist selection.
June 2025
Notification of applicants.
October 2025
Executive branch placement week – Dates subject to change.
January 2026
Legislative branch placement week – Dates subject to change.Â
February 2026
Fellowship begins – February 1, 2025
– JIM D.
2020 Knauss Fellow
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Fellowship at a Glance
- Eligibility: Any student who is enrolled towards a degree in a graduate program at any point between the 2025 Fall Term and February 19, 2025, is eligible. Applicants must have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources.
- Funding: $95,600 in federal funding, which includes a $73,100 stipend, $5,000 for allowable expenses, $2,500 for placement process travel, and up to $15,000 for host office-related travel.
- Important Dates: Applications are due to your state Sea Grant Program on February 19, 2025, before 5:00 PM EST.
- Informational Webinar: December 11, 2025, at 3:30 PM EST Watch Here.
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.
