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 16, 2023, by 5:00PM EST

Recommendation Letters

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.

  • 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.)

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. 

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).

2024 Knauss Fellowship Timeline

February 2023

Applications due to Virginia Sea Grant – February 16, 2023 by 5:00PM EST.

March 2023

VASG review of application packages, applicant interviews.
VASG will nominate up to six applications for the national competition – March 30, 2023 by 11:59PM EDT.

April/May 2023

National review panel and finalist selection.

June 2023

Notification of applicants.

October 2023

Executive branch placement week – Dates subject to change.

January 2024

Legislative branch placement week – Dates subject to change. 

February 2024

Fellowship begins – February 1, 2023

– 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 2022 Fall Term and February 16, 2023, is eligible. Applicants must have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources.
  • Funding: $90,500 in federal funding, which includes a $68,000 stipend, $5,000 for allowable expenses, and up to $17,500 in travel costs.
  • Important Dates: Applications are due to your state Sea Grant Program on February 16, 2023, before 5:00 PM EST.

Virginia Sea Grant recommends that all 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.

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