Closes at: 5:00 p.m. Eastern on June 3, 2026. — APPLY NOW
Applications are now being accepted for the 2027 National Sea Grant College Program John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship) from eligible graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The program, sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program, matches highly qualified graduate students with "hosts" in the legislative and executive branches of government located in the Washington, DC area, for a one-year paid fellowship.
This page provides guidance and information for graduate students at New York institutions.
Please read this carefully and refer to the documents listed in the related links box and linked to in the text below. The information provided here is a summary of the requirements. Prospective applicants should refer to the fellowship website and the 2027 Student Guide for complete information.
Graduate students are strongly encouraged to contact New York Sea Grant to discuss their interest in the Knauss Fellowship and learn more about the application process. Contact Rebecca L. Shuford, Ph.D., Director, Email: Rebecca.Shuford@stonybrook.edu and Lane Smith, Fellowship and Research Program Coordinator, Email: Lane.Smith@stonybrook.edu.
Application Details
When you are ready to submit your application, return here and refer to the instructions below.
New York* students must submit applications through New York Sea Grant.
2027 Knauss Fellowship Timeline
Subject to change see page 6 in the student guide for the full timeline
• June 3, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. local time: Applications due to the State Programs. Graduate students at New York institutions should submit through the New York Sea Grant (NYSG) program (see below).
• June 2026: NYSG reviews application packages, and interviews applicants.
• July 22, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. EDT: NYSG can nominate UP TO 6 applications each to the national competition.
• August 2026: National Level Review of Applicants.
• September 9, 2026: Sea Grant Programs notified of application status.
• ~September 14, 2026: Finalists notified.
• ~September 24, 2026: Finalists welcome workshop.
• June 1, 2027: Fellowships start.
Applicant Eligibility
Students who are U.S. citizens, dual citizens, or permanent resident (Green Card holder) are eligible to submit to this opportunity if:
1. The student is enrolled towards a degree in a graduate program (Masters, Ph.D. or JD) at any point between the onset of the 2025 Fall Term (quarter, trimester, semester, etc.) and June 3, 2026.
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.
Dual nationals with at least one citizenship as the U.S. are also eligible to apply. Student applicants who are dual citizens, please note: while this fellowship is open to dual citizens, a significant number of the participating federal host offices are unable to accept dual citizens as fellows. This may reduce the number of placement opportunities available to dual citizens.
Application Details
The Application Package must consist of the following elements (Review the 2027 Knauss Fellowship Student Guide and the Student Applicant Guide to Sea Grant Fellowships for more details, scoring information, and application preparation tips).
Applications are submitted to NYSG through NYSG’s eSeaGrant platform which requires registering for a user account before applications can be submitted.
Applicants are strongly advised to use both Fellowship Student Guides to prepare their application. They provide specific details, tips, and review criteria for each of the four elements below and other helpful tips and tricks. Below is a brief outline with page numbers referring to the Student Guide.
Applications missing any component will not be accepted.
NOTE: Elements 1 – 4 below are required by the National Office and elements 5 and 6 are required by NYSG. All six elements are required and make up a complete application. Application elements are submitted separately at the NYSG eSea Grant portal as PDF files. Letters of Recommendation writers can upload their letters to eSea Grant on their own (requires creating an account).
1. Curriculum vitae (pg. 9):
• Do not exceed two pages
• Do not include personal contact information or web links to external resources (e.g. LinkedIn, articles, blogs, etc.)
2. Personal Education and Career Development Response (pgs. 10-13):
• The entire personal education and career development section should not exceed 1,500 words in total; suggested word counts are included with each subsection in the Student Guide. Section headers do not count as part of the overall word count.
• Section One: Career Path and Objectives – Provide responses to the three prompts (2a, 2b, 2c) provided in the Student Guide. The recommended word count for each prompt is 250 words. Each prompt should be answered separately using the section headers. Section headers will NOT count as part of the overall word count.
• Section Two: Career Path Experience – Provide responses to the three questions (3a, 3b, 3c) provided in the Student Guide. The recommended word count for each prompt is 250 words. Each prompt should be answered separately using the section headers. Section headers will NOT count as part of the overall word count.
3. Relevant Coursework and Future Year Plans (pg. 13):
• NOT to exceed one page single-spaced
• Discuss any relevant coursework and your future year activities.
a. Relevant Coursework: Discuss any completed or in-progress classes that are relevant to your success in the Knauss Fellowship Program.
b. Future year activities: Include a listing of classes and/or plans for spring 2026, summer 2026, and fall 2026.
4. Two Letters of Recommendation (pgs. 14-15):
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals who have worked with you, including at least one from a faculty member with knowledge of your academic and research (when applicable) performance.
• Letters should not exceed two pages single-spaced.
• Refer to the “Recommendations for Your Letters of Recommendation” in the Student Application Guide.
• Upload as separate PDF files.
5. Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts:
• Upload each transcript as separate PDF files.
• Only unofficial unsigned transcripts are required.
6. Current and Pending Support:
• Provide a list on a separate sheet of current and pending support. This includes current fellowships, scholarships, paid internships or grants. Upload separately.
eSea Grant Online Portal Application Submission Guidance
NYSG Uses the eSeaGrant platform for fellowship applications. You will need to register for an account on eSeaGrant to submit your application. When your application materials are ready, click the "Apply Now" button below. You will be taken to the eSeaGrant account registration page.
Note: Make sure your application file is complete, includes all required sections, and is your final version.
Applications submitted that are missing sections will not be accepted.
Letters of recommendation can either be provided to you to upload with your other required files OR each letter writer can directly submit their letter through eSeaGrant. You can send a document request in eSeaGrant asking for a letter of recommendation while working on your submission. The letter writer will receive an email notification with a link to submit their letter in eSeaGrant. They will not have to register for an account. We will combine the letters with the rest of your application before submission to the national competition.
Note that all application materials, including Letters of Recommendation, must be submitted to eSeaGrant by the deadline (5:00 p.m. Eastern on June 3, 2026).
Do not wait until the last minute to submit! Allow plenty of time.
Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.
Clicking the button below will take you to the eSeaGrant registration / Log In page.