Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship

Application deadline for the 2027 fellowship: June 3, 2026, 5 pm Alaska Time

Updated application information will be posted and the eSeaGrant application portal will open in April 2026

Learn and network while working in Washington, D.C.

Knauss Fellowship graphic. The U.S. Capitol building with an USA flag, fountain and large planters with palms in them. The Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship provides a unique educational and professional experience to early career professionals who have an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. Successful applicants are matched with host offices in the legislative and executive branches of government for one-year paid fellowships from February 1 to January 31 the following year.

To be eligible for the 2027 fellowship, students must be enrolled towards a degree in a graduate program at any point between the start of the 2025 fall term and the application deadline. Applicants are required to apply through a state Sea Grant program. If applicants are successful at the state Sea Grant program level, their applications are then reviewed by a national panel of experts.

All eligible applicants enrolled at an Alaska institution planning to apply should begin working on their applications at least one month prior to the deadline. Applicants are encouraged to review information about the fellowship provided in the following resources. Applicants should contact Alaska Sea Grant associate director Molly Cain with any questions.

Recorded webinar for prospective fellows

Alaska Sea Grant Director Ginny Eckert discussed the Alaska Sea Grant State Fellowship and the Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship to help prospective applicants navigate the process. Joining Ginny to share experiences were Sea Grant Knauss Fellow Connie Vo and Alaska Sea Grant State Fellow Emily Reynolds.

You can view the recorded January 2026 webinar.

Application and fellowship resources Eligibility How to apply

Application and fellowship resources

Review the 2026 Knauss Fellowship Student Guide for complete application instructions.
Refer to the Student Applicant Guide to Sea Grant Fellowships for tips on how to create a competitive application.
Visit the Prospective Knauss Fellows page for additional resources, including videos and applicant tips.
Detailed funding description and award information can be found in the 2026 Knauss NOFO.

Eligibility

Any student, regardless of citizenship, is eligible to submit to this opportunity if

the student is enrolled towards a degree in a graduate program at any point between the onset of the 2025 fall term (quarter, trimester or semester) and February 15, 2026;
the graduate degree will be awarded through an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or U.S. Territories, and;
the student has an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources.

How to apply

Alaska applicants will submit all application information and materials, including letters of recommendation, through the online eSeaGrant application portal.

To access the Knauss application for Alaska students, go to eSeaGrant using the "begin the process" button below, and select the “Register” tab to register as a PI (if you have not previously registered in eSeaGrant).

Once logged into the system, you will be able to choose the Knauss Fellowship application from among the listed research and fellowship opportunities. Once started, the application can be updated and saved within the system throughout the application period, until you are ready to submit it.

We are here to provide assistance as needed; however, please do not wait until the last minute to apply.

Begin the process

Alaska's fellows

Alaska Sea Grant‘s Knauss Fellows past and present

Knauss alumni with careers in Alaska

Some of the alums from around the nation

Connie Vo (2025) Legislative fellow in Senator Sullivan's office

Molly Cain (2021) is associate director for research at Alaska Sea Grant

Caleb Taylor (2021) is a fishery management specialist in the Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NOAA Fisheries

Maggie Chan (2018) is a fishery management specialist with NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Region

Jenna Malek (2016) is a marine mammal specialist in the Office of Protected Resources, Alaska Region, NOAA Fisheries

Thomas Farrugia (2015) is the Alaska Harmful Algal Bloom coordinator at the Alaska Ocean Observing System

Gabe Dunham (2013) is the Marine Advisory Program leader and specialist at Alaska Sea Grant

Olivia Lee (2011) is a research assistant professor at the International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Seanbob Kelly (2008) is a fisheries biologist with NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Region