Federal Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-OAR-SG-2026-29505
Florida Sea Grant is now accepting applications for the 2026 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship from Florida graduate students interested in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. Applications are due to Florida Sea Grant by 5:00 p.m. Eastern, on February 19, 2025.
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 for a one-year paid immersive policy experience in the Washington, D.C. area. Fellows gain experience translating science knowledge to policy actions.
“We are seeking a wide pool of applicants from a broad diversity of institutions, disciplines and geographies,” says Dr. Sherry Larkin, director of Florida Sea Grant. “Through the Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, we strive to provide an educational and employment opportunity for graduate students of all backgrounds, abilities, and perspectives.”
Knauss fellows have worked in U.S. Senate and House offices, departments in the executive branch, NOAA programs and other agencies. More than 82 graduate students from Florida have served as Knauss fellows throughout the fellowship program’s 45-year history, including five fellows for 2023, four fellows for 2024, and four finalists for 2025.
The 2026 fellows will serve from February 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027.
The Knauss Fellowship first called my attention as a place where interdisciplinarity was embraced. Even more so was the Legislative Branch of the Fellowship, where I worked on issues from marine mammal habitat mapping to renewable energy policy, all while becoming familiar with the work in the U.S. Congress, making the Fellowship a uniquely nourishing experience for the scientist interested in public service.
Eligibility:
Any student, regardless of citizenship, is eligible to submit application materials provided:
- The applicant is enrolled towards a degree in a graduate program at any point between the onset of the 2024 Fall Term (quarter, trimester, semester, etc.) and February 19, 2025;
- The graduate degree will be awarded through an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or U.S. Territories; and
- The applicant has an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources.
How to Apply:
All prospective fellows from Florida must submit their applications through Florida Sea Grant’s eSeaGrant portal at eflseagrant.ifas.ufl.edu. Consult the 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and the 2026 Knauss Student Guide and the Student Applicant Guide to Sea Grant Fellowships for a complete list of requirements as well as tips and best practices for a successful submission of a Knauss application.
Florida Sea Grant Info Session:
FSG will host an informal webinar on December 16, 2024. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the application process and hear from past and current fellows representing FSG. There will be an opportunity for a Q&A after. Registration is required to attend. Sign up to attend here.
Interested in Applying?
Applicants are encouraged to reach out to Florida Sea Grant at fsg-students@ifas.ufl.edu at least one month before the application deadline to provide notification of their intent to apply. Florida Sea Grant is able to nominate up to six students from Florida-based schools for the 2026 Knauss competition.
Questions?
For questions about the process or your application materials, contact Florida Sea Grant Student Programs Coordinator Cassie Sexson at fsg-students@ifas.ufl.edu.
Additional Resources:
Additional information and resources for prospective fellows is available at the National Sea Grant fellowship website.
To learn more about other Florida Sea Grant graduate fellowships, visit flseagrant.org/student-opportunities.
About Florida Sea Grant
Hosted at the University of Florida (UF), the Florida Sea Grant College Program supports research, education and Extension to enhance coastal resources and economic opportunities through a partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the State University System of Florida, and UF/IFAS Extension in counties statewide. flseagrant.org | @FloridaSeaGrant
Media Contacts
Cassie Sexson, Student Programs Coordinator, fsg-students@ifas.ufl.edu
