John . Knauss Marine Policy 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.

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

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

June 29, 2026 – Notification of FLSG Finalist Selection

September, 2026 – Notification of NSGO Finalist Selection

May 31, 2028 – Fellowship End

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

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

Florida Sea Grant will host a virtual webinar for prospective applicants. 2025 Knauss Fellows have been invited to share their experiences and advice.

Registration is required to attend

Virtual office hours will be available by appointment only for those who still have questions after reviewing materials and attending the April 9 virtual webinar. To schedule a 1:1 appointment with the FLSG Student Programs Coordinator, reach out to Cassie Sexson ( fsg-students.edu )

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.

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.

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.edu .

Students are eligible to submit an application to Florida Sea Grant if:

• The student is a U.S. Citizen (born or naturalized), a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (Green…