Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship

ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP

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

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

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TIMELINE HIGHLIGHTS

April 9, 2026 – 2027 FSG Knauss Info Session (Virtual)

April 29 – May 9, 2026 – FLSG Office Hours with FLSG Student Programs Coordinator

June 3, 2026 (5:00PM ET) – Applications due to FLSG through InfoReady

June 8 – 18, 2026 – FLSG Application Review

June 23 & 24, 2026 – FLSG Finalist Interviews 

June 29, 2026 – Notification of FLSG Finalist Selection

September, 2026 – Notification of NSGO Finalist Selection

June 1, 2027 – Fellowship Start

May 31, 2028 – Fellowship End

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OPPORTUNITY SUMMARY

Sponsor: NOAA Oceanic & Atmospheric Research (OAR); National Sea Grant College Program

Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Title: Fiscal Year 2027 National Sea Grant College Program Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship 

NOFO Number: NOAA-OAR-SG-2027-32433

Deadline: The deadline for application to Florida Sea Grant (FLSG) is June 3, 2026 at 5:00PM Eastern Time

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RESOURCES

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LENGTH & LOCATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The anticipated start date for the 2027 Knauss Fellowship program is June 1, 2027 with the fellowship concluding no later than May 31, 2028. The fellowship assignment lasts 12 months and takes place in person in the Washington, D.C. area (DMV). Relocation is required with travel and moving expenses budgeted to support the fellow’s move to the DMV area for the duration of the fellowship in accordance with University of Florida (UF) relocation policies. 

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STIPEND & EXPENSES

Subject to availability of funding at the national level, Florida Sea Grant receives and administers the cooperative agreement of up to $97,200 in funding for each fellow selected from our program. This includes base funding for each award at $79,700, of which $74,700 is to be used by the eligible Sea Grant program to cover the fellow’s salary/stipend and personnel expenses for the twelve months of the fellowship and $5,000 can be used to cover allowable expenses. Additional funding for host-related travel and activities is provided on a case-by-case basis by the NSGO.

There is no guarantee that funds will be available to make awards or that any application will be selected for funding. If an applicant incurs any costs before receiving an award agreement signed by an authorized National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) official, they do so at their own risk of not being selected or of these costs not being included in a subsequent award. NOAA and Department of Commerce (DOC) will not be responsible for any incurred project costs if this program fails to receive full funding.

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REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Fellows are required to submit both a mid-year and final performance report to Florida Sea Grant. The report (RPPR) includes a summary of accomplishments and activities during the reporting period. Questions about reporting should be directed to fsg-grants.ifas.ufl.edu. 

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ELIGIBILITY

Students are eligible to submit an application to Florida Sea Grant 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 once 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.

Student application submission is through an application to the Sea Grant program in the state in which the student is earning their degree. If there is no Sea Grant program in a student’s state, a Sea Grant program will be assigned. A written statement from the National Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship Program Manager ([email protected]) referring the student to the most appropriate eligible Sea Grant program will be provided to the student and must be submitted to the State Sea Grant program through which they are applying. 

Other considerations for eligibility:

• The one year fellowship will take place in the National Capital Region. Student applicants must be prepared to relocate to the Washington, D.C. area (commonly referred to as “the DMV”).
• Student applicants who are dual citizens, please note:
  • While this fellowship is open to dual citizens, a significant number of participating federal host offices are unable to accept dual citizens as fellows. This may reduce the number of placement opportunities available to dual citizens. 
• Student applicants must be able to pass a federal background 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. 
• Student applicants who 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.

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HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION

All prospective fellows from Florida must:

1. Review the 2027 Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and the 2027 Knauss Student Guide for a complete list of requirements as well as tips and best practices for compiling a strong Knauss application;
   
2. Fill out the Intention to Apply to Florida Sea Grant form to inform the Student Programs Coordinator to expect your materials; and
   
3. Submit their applications through Florida Sea Grant’s application portal: https://flseagrant.infoready4.com/ (First time users, just follow the instructions to “register” your account.) Applicants are encouraged to sign up and sign in right away to review the portal, the opportunity description, and familiarize themselves with the process and system requirements.

Students are not eligible to submit full application materials to grants.gov – materials for state finalists will be submitted by Florida Sea Grant after an internal state review process.

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APPLICATION GUIDANCE

As a federally funded entity, Florida Sea Grant is adapting to the evolving landscape, understanding potential implications, and ensuring compliance with active executive orders (EOs). Therefore, when preparing your personal education and career development statement, we recommend ensuring your response aligns with any current and relevant executive orders and policies issued by the Administration (i.e., active executive orders). 

Please note that any content in your application package exceeding the listed page or text limits will be redacted prior to application review – this includes letters of recommendation as well.

Sea Grant General Application Guidance for Fellowships

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CONTACTS

For questions, please contact: [email protected] 

Cassandra “Cassie” Sexson
Student Programs Coordinator
Florida Sea Grant