For the 21st century, the National Sea Grant College Program Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship is committed to advancing marine-related educational and career goals of participating students and to increasing partnerships between universities and government. 

The National Sea Grant College Program Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship was established in 1979 to provide a unique educational experience to students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The program, which is sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program (NSGO), 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. The program is named in honor of one of Sea Grant's founders, former NOAA Administrator, John A. Knauss.

Eligibility
Any student, regardless of citizenship, who, on February 19, 2010 is in a graduate or professional program in a marine or aquatic-related field at a United States-accredited institution of higher education may apply to the NSGO through their state Sea Grant program. Applicants from states not served by a Sea Grant program should obtain further information by contacting the Knauss Sea Grant Fellowship Program Manager at the NSGO.

Length of Assignment
The length of assignment is one-year (non-renewable). The inclusive dates of the official fellowship are February 1- January 31; however, these dates can be slightly adjusted to accommodate academic semester needs.

How to Apply
Interested students should discuss this fellowship with their state Sea Grant Program Director. Applications must be submitted with signature to the state Sea Grant program by February 19, 2010. Each Sea Grant program may select and forward to the NSGO no more than six (6) applicants selected according to criteria used by the NSGO in the national competition.

Selected applications are to be received in the NSGO from the sponsoring state Sea Grant program, no later than 5:00 pm EDT on April 02, 2010. The competitive selection process and subsequent notification to the Sea Grant programs will be completed by May 28, 2010.

Stipend and Expenses
The local Sea Grant program receives and administers the overall award of $46,000 per student on behalf of each Fellow selected from their program. Of this amount, the local Sea Grant program provides $35,000 to each Fellow for stipend and living expenses (per diem). $9,000 will be used to cover mandatory health insurance for the Fellow and moving expenses; any remaining funds shall be used during the Fellowship year, first to satisfy academic degree- related activities, and second for Fellowship-related activities. Finally, up to $2,000 can be used to cover Placement week costs. Indirect costs are not allowable from the Federal funds either for the Fellowships or for any costs associated with the Fellowships, including more than $2,000 budgeted for placement week. These costs, though, can be denoted as matching funds. During the fellowship, the host may provide supplemental funds for work- related travel by the fellow.

Application Requirements
1. Personal and academic curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages using 12 pt. font, 1 inch margins).
2. A personal education and career goal statement which emphasizes the applicant's abilities and the applicant's expectations from the experience in the way of career development (1000 words or less, 12 pt. font). Placement preference in the Legislative or Executive Branches of the Government may be stated; this preference will be honored to the extent possible.
3. Two letters of recommendation, including one from the student's major professor; if no major professor exists, the faculty member academically knowing the applicant best may be substituted.
4. A letter of endorsement from the sponsoring Sea Grant Program Director.
5. Official copy of all undergraduate and graduate student transcripts.
6. Listing of classes and/or plans for spring 2010, summer 2010, and fall 2010 (not to exceed one page).
 
All applicants be evaluated only on their application package according to the criteria listed below. Therefore, letters of endorsements from members of Congress, friends, relatives and others will not be accepted. Prior contacts/arrangements made with possible host offices will be cause for immediate disqualification from the process.

Selection Criteria will include
See: 2011 Federal Funding Opprotunity

Review and Selection Process
See: 2011 Federal Funding Opprotunity

Reporting Requirements
Sea Grant Fellows will be administratively responsible to their sponsoring 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 ombudsman between the Fellow, the host, the Sea Grant Programs, and the sponsoring institution.

For Further Information
Please contact your nearest Sea Grant program (see the list of Sea Grant programs for telephone numbers), or contact

Miguel.Lugo
Program Manager
NOAA Sea Grant
Tel. (301) 734-1075
e-mail: Miguel.Lugo@noaa.gov