John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship

The Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship provides a unique educational experience to graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources.

The Fellowship, named after one of Sea Grant’s founders, former NOAA Administrator John A. Knauss, matches highly qualified graduate students with “hosts” in the legislative and executive branches of government in the Washington, D.C., area for a one-year paid fellowship.

Successful applicants will spend one year in a legislative or executive host office in the Washington, DC area. The anticipated start date for the 12-month fellowship is between February 1 and June 1, 2027. The fellowship will be completed by June 30, 2028. Exact start and end dates are still TBD. A student is eligible if: 

• (1) The student is a U.S. Citizen (born or naturalized), a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), or a dual national with at least one citizenship as the U.S.; 
• (2) The student is enrolled towards a degree in a graduate program at any point between the onset of the 2025 Fall Term (quarter, trimester, semester, etc.) and June 3, 2026; 
• (3) The graduate degree will be awarded through an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or U.S. Territories, and; 
• (4) The student has an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources.