John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship

Introduction

The Sea Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program was established by Congress in 1979 and is named in honor of one of Sea Grant’s founders, former NOAA Administrator John A. Knauss. The fellowship offers a unique educational experience to graduate and professional students who have an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The program matches the students with hosts in the legislative or executive branch of the federal government for a one-year, paid fellowship (13-month award term) in the Washington, D.C. area.

Applications are due to Texas Sea Grant in February for the fellowships beginning in February of the following year. The final decision is made by a review panel convened by the National Sea Grant Office. While the number of fellowships offered varies with the availability of positions, Texas Sea Grant has had at least one accepted almost every year.

Fellows from Texas have served their fellowship year in legislative offices or at agencies including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, and NASA. The majority have gone on to careers in federal agencies, higher education institutions, or non-governmental organizations related to coastal or marine resources or policies.

Please consult the Federal Funding Opportunity Announcement (FFO) # NOAA-OAR-SG–2026-29505, which contains the guidelines/requirements for documents and content (summarized below), selection criteria, as well as the review and selection process.

Eligibility

An eligible applicant is any student who can meet the following requirements:

1. The student is enrolled towards a degree in a graduate program at any point between the onset of the 2024 Fall Term (quarter, trimester, semester, etc.) and February 19, 2025;
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.

Other Criteria That Affect Eligibility

• The one-year fellowship will take place in the National Capital region. Applicants must be prepared to relocate to the Washington, D.C. area. Non-U.S. citizens are responsible for obtaining the appropriate visa to allow them to work in the Washington, D.C. area during the fellowship period.
• Applicants must be able to pass a federal background security check.
• Prior contact/arrangements made with possible host offices before the start of the placement week will be cause for immediate disqualification from the process.
• Applicants that have been accepted as National Finalists and/or become fellows are not eligible to apply again without the written permission of the NSGO Fellowships Manager, which will only be granted in response to exceptional life events. A National Finalists is defined as an applicant who goes through the review process and is selected at the national level for the fellowship program. Applicants are considered finalists until they are placed into a host office during the placement process.
• Applicants, please review and understand the new information contained within the attached document from the National Sea Grant Fellowship Program Office and notes related to Texas Sea Grant Fellows: KNAUSS 2026 FELLOWSHIP KEY TALKING POINTS FOR APPLICANTS_508_TXSG.

Length of Assignment

The fellowship is a 12-month nonrenewable, non-deferrable term. The inclusive dates of the award are February 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027; however, these dates can be slightly adjusted to accommodate academic semester needs. The award runs for 13 months with the 13th month for relocation purposes.

Before Applying

• Visit and review all resources at the NOAA Sea Grant Knauss Prospective Fellows Page and pay particular attention to the 8 blue cards entitled, Knauss Fellowship Tips for Applicants.
• Familiarize yourself with the Student Applicant Guide to Sea Grant Fellowships for helpful tips and a better understanding of the different aspects comprising a fellowship package.
• Review and study the 2026 Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Student Guide for detailed information on application criteria and requirements. This guide provide exact specifics for each application component required, including funding opportunity guideline Review Criteria and provides suggestions and tips for successful completion of each component. This document contains the answers to the exam, so to speak.
• Watch, review and understand the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program 101 Webinar for an overview of the program, including new application requirements. The Knauss 101 webinar is public on YouTube and linked on the following page: Knauss 101 Webinar Recording.
• Review the Fall 2024 John A. Knauss Policy Fellowship Program fact sheet.
• Take advantage of this special opportunity to watch a recorded webinar with Dr. Nicolás Alvarado, Knauss Fellowship alum, as he shares his story from Knauss Fellow to integral NOAA Navigation Manager. Feel free to access Dr. Alvarado’s PowerPoint presentation as you follow along with the recording.
• News Article: “Sea Grant Knauss Fellows Reflect on Year-long Marine Policy Experience” From the Coast to the Capital.
• See what other Knauss Fellows say about their experiences during their Fellowship at the link: Texas Sea Grant Knauss Fellows blog.

How to Submit an Application

• Students should submit applications to a State Sea Grant Program Office and not submit information directly into eRA grant system.
• Submit an application consisting of one PDF document containing the six required elements listed below, to Mia Zwolinski, Texas Sea Grant Research Coordinator, at: mzwolinski@tamu.edu. Applications should be received by Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 5:00 PM CST. This is a firm deadline. An email submission receipt will be provided to the applicant.
• All six elements of the application must be completed by the student and submitted in one combined PDF in the exact required order as noted in the Federal Funding Opportunity guidelines and as listed below. NOTE: ensure that you have followed the guidelines for developing PDF documents that are newly required for applications that will be submitted via the eRA grant system. This includes “flattening” a PDF document and other tips for preparing PDFs without using the “bundling” or “portfolio” feature when compiling into one PDF, per the eRA guidance, noted on page 5 of the NOFO. Additionally, electronic signatures cannot be retained in a PDF for applications submitted in eRA. Best practice is after electronic signature is signed in a PDF, then “flatten” the document by printing the PDF to a PDF.
• It is recommended to contact your letter writers 4-6 weeks before the submission due date, ideally before the first of January, to provide adequate time for you to work with your pending referees.
• Texas Sea Grant will complete the sub-elements of the Director Letter of Recommendation, 90-4 Budget Form, Budget Narrative, Project Abstract and other Research Related Federal forms.
• Do not contact the Director of Texas Sea Grant for the Director Letter of Support; this letter is not required at the application stage; the Research Coordinator will reach out to the applicant as noted below, week of March 3rd, to prepare for scheduling meetings for development of the Director Letter of Support.
• Texas A&M Sponsored Research Services will complete the eRA application file and submit the selected applications via eRA grant system by 5:00 p.m. CST by April 16, 2025.

Application Elements Required

Applicants please note: guidelines have changed; for each of the six elements listed below, it is extremely important that you reference the helpful student guides linked above that have summarized the specific requirements; follow the instructions exactly; and follow and understand the Review Criteria to which each specific section will be judged by the reviewers.

Submit ONE PDF consisting of the following 6 elements IN THE FOLLOWING SEQUENTIAL ORDER:

Name the file: “Project Narrative_ApplicantLastName”

1. Curriculum Vitae
   Not to exceed two pages. The student should not include personal contact information or web links to external resources (e.g., LinkedIn, articles, blogs, etc.). Recommended minimum 11 pt. font, 1” margins.
2. Personal Education and Career Development Response
   The statement should emphasize the applicant’s abilities and expectations from the fellowship experience in terms of their career development; see new guidelines and criteria. Recommended minimum 11 pt. font; 1” margins). Exclude personal contact information or web links to external resources (e.g., LinkedIn, articles, blogs, etc.). 
3. Relevant Coursework and Future Year Plans 
   Not to exceed one page; see new guidelines and criteria. Recommended minimum 11 pt. font, 1” margins.
4. Two letters of recommendation
   Two letters of recommendation, including one from a faculty member with knowledge of the applicant’s academic and research (when applicable) performance; see guidelines, criteria, page limits. 
   • Include letters in the application pdf file – do not send separately. Should a referee desire confidentiality, they may email their letter directly to:  Mia Zwolinski, Texas Sea Grant Research Coordinator, at: mzwolinski@tamu.edu.
     • If this is the case, the applicant should include a blank page with the name of the referee as a placeholder page in the application. Texas Sea Grant will compile the letter(s) into the application on your behalf. 
5. Current Graduate Student Transcript Only
   Transcripts are no longer required to be included within the application documents that are submitted to the sponsor. However, the state Sea Grant program is required to confirm ENROLLMENT eligibility when we submit the Letter of Intent to Nominate Knauss Applicants to the National Sea Grant Program Office. Eligibility, as defined above is “(1) The student is enrolled towards a degree in a graduate program at any point between the onset of the 2024 Fall Term (quarter, trimester, semester, etc.) and February 19, 2025. The Current Graduate Student Transcript is required to be submitted with your application PDF and will be used to satisfy the ENROLLMENT eligibility. Per guidelines, we will not include the transcripts with the application submission to NOAA.
6. List of Current and Pending Support for the student, for any fellowships or internships:
   Complete the Current_Pending_Support_Knauss Applicant.doc. This document is not required for inclusion within the application documents that are submitted to the sponsor. However, the state Sea Grant program is required to receive documentation of any applicant having a current award, pending not yet received award, or future application submission of any other fellowships or internships, when we submit the Letter of Intent to Nominate Knauss Applicants to the National Sea Grant Program Office. Completion of the Current_Pending_Support_Knauss Applicant.doc will satisfy this new requirement. Per guidelines, we will not include the Current and Pending Support document with the application submission to NOAA.
7. Written statement from the National Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship Program Manager
   For applicants from states not served by an eligible Sea Grant Program, but applying through an eligible Sea Grant Program. The statement should refer the applicant to the most appropriate eligible Sea Grant Program.
8. Optional Demographics Form (OMB Control No. 0648-0568) 
   The National Sea Grant College Program values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in both our organization and the communities we serve. Through the Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship, we strive to provide an educational and employment opportunity for current and recent graduate students interested in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and the national policy decisions affecting those resources, regardless of race, color, religion, place of origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, disability or veteran status. 
   
   Students have the option to provide demographic information via this OMB-approved FORM. The information and associated background information of graduate students, as well as recent graduates, which may be used for the purpose of tracking scholarship recipients’ academic progress, making annual financial awards, and tracking graduate studies and career progress. Demographic information will be used to measure the success of stated Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) goals only. This information will not be used to determine program eligibility.

Evaluation Criteria and Other Information

All applicants will be evaluated on their application package according to the application content; Evaluation Review Criteria used by the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO) may be found in the FFO guidelines, (NOFO numbered pages 12-15) and are specifically referenced in the helpful student guides noted and linked above.

• Up to six applicants may be selected by the Sea Grant Program, plus up to an additional six from states not served by an eligible Sea Grant Program, but approved to apply through an eligible Sea Grant Program.
• Prior contacts / arrangements made with possible host offices before the start of placement week will be cause for immediate disqualification from the process.

Stipend and Expenses

The Sea Grant Program receives and administers the overall cooperative agreement of up to $95,600 per student on behalf of each fellow selected from their program, with the option to add additional funds if allowed by the host office with which the selected applicant is placed.

• Application packages will propose a total of $95,600 in funding; this includes base funding for each award of $78,100 with optional host office-approved travel up to an additional $17,500.
• $73,100 is to be used by the eligible Sea Grant Program to cover the fellow’s salary/stipend for the 12 months of the fellowship (paid to the fellow in $18,275 quarterly stipends). $5,000 is available for allowable costs.
  • Allowable expenses could include, but is not limited to, relocation prior to/following the fellowship, academic tuition, journal publication fees, academic- and fellowship-related travel, conference fees, online trainings and workshops.
  • Unallowable Costs: Costs for equipment or supplies (including books) for the student’s permanent use, costs for membership to professional societies, and indirect costs.
• Applications should also include travel costs totaling $17,500, of which $15,000 will be budgeted for optional host office related travel and training (if the host office approves), and $2,500 will be budgeted for optional placement week expenses, which would be provided at the discretion of the National Sea Grant Office.

The fellow is responsible for managing the planned budget.

Types of Placements

Fellows’ placements may be in the legislative or executive branches. After finalists are selected, a Knauss Finalist Welcome Workshop webinar will be held in early July 2025, to describe the next steps, including the difference between executive and legislative placements. The finalist 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 executive or legislative cohort classes in late summer.

In October 2025 (executive fellows) or January 2026 (legislative fellows) finalists will participate in Placement Week. Placement Week is filled with interviews, networking with potential hosts, and then host position-fellow pairing.

To learn more about the types of placements available through the fellowship program please review the list of potential 2022 executive and legislative Knauss positions. Please note that for most executive branch offices, selected fellows must pass a federal background check to gain security clearance. This includes answering questions about your previous citizenship, residence, education, employment, character references, selective service, military service, and illegal drug use. Please follow this link to an example of the form you will have to fill out.

See the video “The Knauss Legislative Fellowship: Why It Might Be Right For You” (produced by Maryland Sea Grant), which provides information regarding legislative placement.

Reporting Requirements

Overview

Sea Grant Fellows will be administratively responsible to their sponsoring State Sea Grant Directors during their terms in Washington, D.C., but must be responsive to the administrative and technical direction from the host to whom they report. The role of the Knauss Program Manager in the NSGO is one of the ombudsman between the fellow, the host, the Sea Grant Programs and the sponsoring institution. The fellow is responsible for managing the planned budget and for reporting progress.

Reporting

Project progress reports are due on a semi-annual basis. Fellows are required to submit a mid-year and a final performance report (summary of accomplishments and activities) to their Sea Grant program. Sea Grant programs will submit all reports to the NOAA Grants Office via eRA.

The mid-year report (details the first 6 months of their fellowship), is submitted to their home Sea Grant program by early August and their final report by February (at the end of their fellowship after 1/31/20XX). The report template is the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) format. A template geared towards the Knauss Fellowship will be provided for completion. Fellows should also include the Professional Development Plan approved by their Host Office Supervisor. Submit all documents to Mia Zwolinski, Texas Sea Grant Research Coordinator, at: mzwolinski@tamu.edu.