Closes at: 5:00 p.m. Eastern on February 16, 2023.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 National Sea Grant College Program Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship Program) from eligible students who have an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The program, which is sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program, matches highly qualified graduate students with "hosts" in the legislative branch, executive branch, or appropriate associations / institutions located in the Washington, DC area, for a one-year paid fellowship.

For New York* students submitting through New York Sea Grant:

— When your application materials are ready, click the "Apply Now" button below.

— Check that in the middle column it says “Fellowship Application”, otherwise select “Fellowship Application” from the drop down list.

— Under “Applicant” provide all required contact information.

— Title should be in the format “2024 Knauss Fellowship application for…” followed by your name.

— Browse and upload your application file then click the submit application button.

Note: Make sure your application is complete and includes all required sections and is your final version.

Because of the "signed" letters and transcripts that are required with this application, we suggest that you scan and combine these documents with the other required elements as one PDF document, and then upload one complete file.

NOTE: If necessary, letters of recommendation can be submitted through this form separately by each letter writer coming to this page and by selecting “Letter of Recommendation” from the drop down list. They must provide their contact information on the form. For title they should use their last name followed by “letter of recommendation for” followed by your last name. We will combine the letters with the rest of your application before submission to the national competition.

*Not in a state with a Sea Grant Program? Contact the National Sea Grant Office at oar.sg.fellows@noaa.gov who will assign you to a program.

Note that the deadline time is based on the server clock displayed on the top right of the submission form, not your computer’s time. Note the time remaining displayed in red. The submission form deactivates once the deadline is reached even if you are on the submission page. Do not wait for the last minute to submit! Allow plenty of time.

This section provides guidance and information for Graduate students at New York institutions. Please refer to the documents listed in the related links box to the left and linked to in the text below. 

NOTE: A printable version of this section is available (click here). You can also access that file along with other important and helpful resources in the box to the left.

Make sure to refer to them while working on your application.

When you are ready to submit your application, return here and refer to the instructions above.

February 16, 2023, by 5:00 p.m. local time: Applications due to the State Programs. Graduate students at New York institutions should submit through the New York Sea Grant (NYSG) program.

March 2023: NYSG reviews application packages, and interviews applicants.

March 30, 2023, by 11:59 p.m. EDT: NYSG can nominate UP TO 6 applications each to the national competition.

April/May 2023: National Level Review of Applicants.

June 2022: Sea Grant Programs and applicants notified of application status.

June 21, 2023: Finalist welcome workshop.

October/January: Placement Week (dates subject to change).

February 1, 2024: Fellowship begins. Fellowship award dates are: February 1, 2024-February 28, 2025.

Applicant Eligibility

Any student, regardless of citizenship, is eligible to submit to this opportunity if:

1. The student is enrolled towards a degree in a graduate program (Masters, PhD or JD) at any point between the onset of the 2022 Fall Term (quarter, trimester, semester, etc.) and February 16, 2023; 

2. The graduate degree will be awarded through an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or U.S. Territories, and; 

3. The student has an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources.

Application Package

The Application Package must consist of the following (Review the 2024 Knauss Fellowship Student Guide and the Student Applicant Guide to Sea Grant Fellowships for application preparation tips):

1. Curriculum vitae

2. Personal Education and Career Development Response 

a. Section One: Icebreaker 
b. Section Two: Career Path and Objectives 
c. Section Three: Career Path Experience

 3. Relevant Coursework and Future Year Plans

4. Letters of Recommendation 

5. Transcripts

6. (if applicable) Out of State Letter

 
Application Package Details

All applications should be submitted in the following order: CV, Application Questions, Future Year Plans, Academic Letter, Other Letter, and Transcripts.

1. Curriculum vitae:

— Do not exceed two pages

— Do not include personal contact information or web links to external resources (e.g. Linkedin, articles, blogs, etc.)

— Refer to the “Demystifying the Curriculum Vitae” section in the Student Application Guide

 
2. Personal Education and Career Development Response

— The entire personal education and career development section should not exceed 1,500 words total; suggested word counts will be included with each subsection below. Section headers will count as part of the overall word count.

— Section One: Icebreaker – provide responses to the following:

a. Use one sentence to describe yourself (20 words).

b. List five adjectives that someone with a close personal connection (coworker, supervisor, etc.) would use to describe you (5 words MAX).

 
— Section Two: Career Path and Objectives – This section can be completed as one continuous statement or as separate responses. The suggested word count is 700 words for this section. Provide responses to the following:

a. Discuss any experience(s) (researcher or otherwise) that support or relate to the mission of the National Sea Grant College Program or the state Sea Grant program (you do not have to have had a direct connection to Sea Grant). Emphasize (if relevant) any experience with extending and distilling science for non-scientific audiences (250 words).

b. Discuss your interest in the Knauss Fellowship with a specific focus on how the Knauss Fellowship supports your career pathway. Focus on how the Knauss Program would further support your development as a professional (250 words).

c. Discuss the transferable skills (skills that can be applied across a variety of disciplines) that you would bring to the Knauss Fellowship. In this response, highlight experiences from your personal, professional and academic background (200 words).

— Section Three: Career Path Experience – The suggested word count is 700 words for this section. Provide responses to the following:

a. Sea Grant values the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, justice and accessibility. Discuss (1) how you have collaborated or engaged with diverse community members and/or interested partners and/or (2) how you would be an ambassador for these principles throughout the Knauss program (300 words).

b. Discuss a situation in which you overcame a challenge (e.g. within a community or institution, personally, professionally, etc.) specifically as it relates to how you took a leadership role. Also consider including a reflection on what you learned from this experience (400 words).

3. Relevant Coursework and Future Year Plans:

— NOT to exceed ONE page single spaced

— Discuss any relevant coursework and your future year activities.

a. Relevant Coursework: Discuss any completed or in progress classes that are relevant to your success in the Knauss Fellowship Program.

b. Future year activities: Include a listing of classes and/or plans for spring 2023, summer 2023, and fall 2023.

 4. Letters of Recommendation:

— Two letters of recommendation from individuals who have worked with you, including at least one from a faculty member with knowledge of your academic and research (when applicable) performance.

— Letters should not exceed two pages single spaced.

— Refer to the “Recommendations for Your Letters of Recommendation” in the Student Application Guide.

 
5. Transcripts:

— Provide clear digital or scanned copies of all undergraduate and graduate student transcripts (unofficial are acceptable).