Below are details on the application process and the timeline for applying to USC Sea Grant for the Knauss Fellowship. Applications for 2025 Knauss Fellowships are now open! Please contact Phyllis Grifman (grifman@usc.edu) if interested in applying, for more information, or for questions while completing the application process.

Application Details

    • View the official federal funding opportunity: 2025 National Sea Grant College Program Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship. The Funding Opportunity Number is NOAA-OAR-SG-2025-23655
    • Apply to USC Sea Grant by submitting all application materials (listed below) to USC Sea Grant’s online submission portal, eSeaGrant.  
      • Note: to use USC Sea Grant’s eSeaGrant submission portal, you will need to register for an account.
      • Please make sure to use the suggested file name for each of the application documents below.
    • It is highly recommended to provide at least one to two months to reach out to USC Sea Grant and to complete the application process. 
    • February 15, 2024: Application materials due to USC Sea Grant by 5 pm PT.
    • February – March 2024: Interviews by USC Sea Grant staff to select up to six finalists.
    • March 14, 2024: USC Sea Grant notifies applicants if they will be nominated for the fellowship. Each Sea Grant program can only nominate six applicants.
    • June 2024: USC Sea Grant will notify selected finalists.
      • Note that finalists are called a “selected finalist”, not a Knauss Fellow, until after being placed in a position during Placement Week.
    • Mid-Late Summer 2024: Finalist welcome webinar. You will then be asked to write a 300-word or less justification for wanting to be placed in the executive or legislative class. The National Sea Grant Office will announce the split of the classes in late summer. There may be several other informational webinars to help you prepare for your fellowship year.
    • July 2024: Finalist information/commitment is due
    • August 2024: All alternates are notified
    • October 2024: Executive Placement Week; selected applicants will participate in a filled with interviews, networking with potential hosts, and host-fellow pairings.
    • January 2025: Legislative Placement Week; selected applicants will participate in a filled with interviews, networking with potential hosts, and host-fellow pairings.
    • February 1, 2025: Start of the fellowship

  • To apply for the 2025 Knauss Fellowship, please submit the following documents to USC Sea Grant’s online submission portal, eSeaGrant:

    Required Application Documents Suggested File Name 
    Two letters of recommendation, including one from the student’s major professor and with knowledge of the student’s academic and research (when applicable) performance (each 2 pages max) 1_LastName_RecLtr1.pdf and 1_LastName_RecLtr2.pdf
    A personal education and career development statement (3 sections with 3 separate titles) (1530 words or less) 2_LastName_Goal.pdf
    Curriculum Vitae (2 pages maximum) 3_LastName_CV.pdf
    Clear digital or scanned copies of all undergraduate and graduate student transcripts 4_LastName_Transcript.pdf
    Relevant coursework and future year plans for spring 2024, summer 2024, and fall 2025 (not to exceed one page single-spaced) 5_LastName_Plans.pdf
    If applicable, for applicants in a state or territory not served by an eligible Sea Grant program, but applying through an eligible Sea Grant program, a written statement from the Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship Program Manager referring applicant to the most appropriate eligible Sea Grant program must be included 6_LastName_Out_of_State.pdf
    Optional Demographics Form. Students have the option to provide information via this form. Demographic information will be used to measure the success of stated Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) goals ONLY. This information will not be forwarded to reviewers or used in scoring applications. 7_LastName_Optional_Demog.pdf

  • All applicants will be evaluated on their application package according to the content they submit. Evaluation Criteria used by the National Sea Grant Office may be found in the 2025 Knauss Student Guide.

     Evaluation Area  Component Points
     Relevant Experience Curriculum Vitae (CV) 10
    Personal education and career development response 55
    Relevant coursework and future year plans 10
     Transcripts N/A
     Recommendations  Letters of recommendation 10
    USCSG director letter of recommendation 5
    Out of State Letter (if applicable) N/A
     Final Review Overall Application Cohesion 10
    Total points: 100

Application Resources