Overview
The John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program offers a unique educational experience to graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources, and in national policies that affect those resources. Successful applicants are matched with hosts in the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government for a one-year paid fellowship in the Washington D.C. area. The program is sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s (NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program. Washington Sea Grant may nominate up to six fellows to be considered by the National Sea Grant office.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the 2025 fellowship (which lasts February 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026),
- A student must be enrolled towards a degree in a graduate program at any point between the onset of the 2023 Fall Term (quarter, trimester, semester, etc.) and February 15, 2024;
- The student’s graduate degree program must be through an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or U.S. Territories;
- Students are eligible regardless of nationality; domestic and international students at accredited U.S. institutions may apply; and
- Applicants must have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources.
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Foreign nationals and dual citizens 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. While more offices are able to host dual citizens, there may be restrictions. This may reduce the number of placement opportunities available to foreign nationals. Note: Foreign nationals are eligible for both the Executive and Legislative cohort.
The deadline to submit all application materials for the 2025 program is Feb. 15, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
The length of assignment is one-year (non-renewable). The dates of the official fellowship are February 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026.
How to Apply
- All prospective Knauss fellows must submit an application through their own state Sea Grant program (e.g. Washington Sea Grant)
- For Washington state-based students, you must submit your application to Washington Sea Grant via the online submission system, eSeaGrant, that can be accessed by copying and pasting the following link into your web browser esg.wsg.washington.edu
- In eSeaGrant you will upload PDF’s of each of the required application elements and submit requests for your referees to upload their letters of recommendation directly into eSeaGrant. Additional instructions for applying using eSeaGrant are available here.
- You can review the required application elements here: 2025 Knauss Fellowship Student Application Guide
- Applications must be submitted to Washington Sea Grant via eSeaGrant by 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2024
Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Deborah Purce, Fellowships & Research Specialist at Washington Sea Grant, at sgfellow@uw.edu to discuss application content and submission.
