Call for The Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship 2027 for students in United States is open now!!!
The Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship offers graduate students a one-year opportunity in the Washington, D.C. area to contribute to real-world policy and public service work connected to coastal, marine and Great Lakes issues.
The Knauss Fellowship award is administered by a cooperative agreement between the National Sea Grant College Program and the state Sea Grant program/university. All funds will be administered through the Sea Grant program to which the applicant applies and are subject to the respective university’s rules and regulations. All student applicants should be made aware of the anticipated salary, benefits, and other provisions the programs will provide.
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Legislative Placements: In many cases, a host office is looking for a fellow who can translate and understand science broadly, not just on a very specific topic. Often, Knauss fellows serve as scientific experts and researchers for their office; Subject matter is dictated by the office, what legislation is moving on the floor, and new hot issues, and may change without much warning; Fellows are expected to prepare briefings and talking points for upcoming hearings or meetings; Fellows may draft (or redraft) legislation. This includes starting from the beginning or picking up where another staff member has left off, depending on the voting cycle; Fellows will be expected to find cosponsors for bills of interest; Fellows will be expected to take meetings with and respond to constituents.
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Executive Placements: Fellows work as part of a team, and may support a specific issue area, a broad office portfolio or both; Fellows may research issues, gather information and prepare summaries or briefing materials for leadership; Fellows may respond to requests and help coordinate time-sensitive projects or priorities; Fellows may draft reports, memos, correspondence or responses to congressional and interagency requests; Fellows may support, and in some cases, lead project management, strategic planning and implementation of efforts; Fellows may develop expertise in a focused topic area or contribute across a wide range of subjects related to the host office.
Candidates will be notified if they are a selected finalist in mid- to late-summer. Note they are a called a selected finalist, not a Knauss Fellow, until after they are placed in a position during Placement Week. After finalists are selected, a webinar will be held to describe the next steps, including the difference between executive and legislative placements. Candidates 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 candidates prepare for their fellowship year.
Location:
United StatesBenefits
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Fellow Salary$74,700 –Fellow salary/stipend and may cover employee expenses/fringe (taxes, healthcare, social security, etc.)
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Fellow Professional Development$5,000 –Discretionary budget (moving, professional development, etc.)
Eligibilities
- The student is a U.S. Citizen (born or naturalized), a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), or a U.S. dual national;
- 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;
- The graduate degree will be awarded through an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or U.S. Territories, and;
- The student has an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources.
Application Process
- Go to the main Sea Grant website and look for your state Sea Grant program. If your state does not have a program, email the National Sea Grant Office and they can direct you to the appropriate state.
- Reach out to the Sea Grant Program in your state. Let them know you plan to apply and ask for advice on navigating the process.
- Read the applicant resource documents to help you prepare your application.
- Touch up your C.V., draft your personal statement and ask for recommendation letters. One letter must come from a faculty member with knowledge of your academic and research (when applicable) performance, the second letter should be from someone who knows you well.
- Ask questions of your local Sea Grant program and/or the National Sea Grant Office before the deadline.
- Submit your material to your state’s Sea Grant program. They will contact you to schedule an interview.
- Prepare for the state selection process, which will include an interview with your state’s Sea Grant program.
- Each Sea Grant program can select up to six applicants to advance to the National Sea Grant Office competition. Each program is different; they may or may not notify applicants if they have been elevated.
- The National Sea Grant Office holds a selection panel to determine Knauss finalists (you are not referred to as a Knauss Fellow until after placement week—see the next question in this FAQ). Your state Sea Grant Program will notify selected finalists.
Application Deadline: June 3, 2026 (61 Days Remaining)
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