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
An eligible applicant is any student, regardless of citizenship, who, on February 15, 2013, is enrolled towards a degree in a graduate or professional program, that have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The graduate degree needs to be awarded through a United States accredited institution of higher education in the United States or U.S. Territories. 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 or Project Director. Applications must be submitted to the state Sea Grant program by February 15, 2013. 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 March 29, 2013. The competitive selection process and subsequent notification to the eligible Sea Grant Programs or Projects will be completed by June 7, 2013.

Stipend and Expenses
The Sea Grant Program or Project receives and administers the overall cooperative agreement of $56,500 per student on behalf of each fellow selected from their program. Of this amount, the eligible Sea Grant Program or Project provides $45,000 to each Fellow for stipend and living expenses (per diem). Of the total cooperative agreement amount, the Sea Grant Program or Project provides $9,000 to cover mandatory health insurance for the fellow and moving expenses. Any remaining funds of the $9,000 shall be used for the fellow during the fellowship year, first to satisfy academic degree-related activities, and second for fellowship-related activities. Finally, up to $2,500 from the total $56,500 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 the $2,000 budgeted for placement week (see 15 CFR 917.11(e), "Guidelines for Sea Grant Fellowships"). During the fellowship, the host may provide supplemental funds for work-related travel by the fellow.

Application Requirements
(1) Two signed letters of recommendation, including one from the student's major professor; if no major professor exists, a faculty person academically knowing the applicant best may be substituted.
(2) A personal education and career goal statement emphasizing the applicant's abilities and the applicant's expectations from the fellowship experience in the way of career development (1000 words or less). Placement preference in the Legislative or Executive Branches of the Government may be stated; this preference will be honored to the extent possible.
(3) Personal and academic curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages).
(4) Copy of all official undergraduate and graduate student transcripts.
(5) Listing of classes and/or plans for spring 2013, summer 2013 and fall 2013 (not to exceed one page).
(6) For applicants from states not served by an eligible Sea Grant Program or Project, but applying through an eligible Sea Grant Program or Project, a written statement from the Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship Program Manager referring the applicant to the most appropriate eligible Sea Grant Program or Project, must be included as part of that applicant's application package to the state Sea Grant Program or Project.

 
All applicants be evaluated only on their application package according to the criteria listed below. Therefore, letters of endorsements from members of Congress, friends, and relatives 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: 2014 Federal Funding Opprotunity

Review and Selection Process
See: 2014 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

Chelsea Berg
Program Manager
NOAA Sea Grant
Tel. (301) 734-1085
e-mail: oar.sg.fellows@noaa.gov