NJSGC will host an informational “Knauss 101” Zoom meeting with Director Dr. Peter Rowe on December 4th at 10 a.m. Register here.
Please contact our Communications Specialist for more information on how to join the session.
For more information on the fellowship, please visit our website.
The application period for the 2025 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship is now open. The fellowship provides a one-year, paid experience for highly qualified early career professionals to work on issues related to coastal, marine and Great Lakes science and policy in offices within the executive or legislative branch of government in Washington, D.C. Learn more about becoming a Knauss Fellow from the National Sea Grant website.
Graduate students interested in marine, coastal, and Great Lakes science and policy should explore the information about the fellowship as soon as possible and reach out to New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium at least one month prior to the February 15, 2024 deadline.
To be eligible for the 2025 fellowship (which lasts February 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026),
Get started on your application with:
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2024 class of the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program. The 84 early-career professionals selected will be placed in federal government offices throughout Washington, D.C., and join the over 1,600 individuals who have participated in the program since its inception in 1979.
The Knauss fellowship is a one-year paid opportunity for current and recent graduates from advanced degree programs to apply their scientific knowledge and experiences to lasting careers in the sciences, policy, and public administration.
“Knauss fellows over the years have consistently and thoughtfully applied their unique knowledge and skill sets to developing solutions to issues that affect people across the nation,” said Jonathan Pennock, Ph.D., Director of the National Sea Grant College Program. “We look forward to welcoming the incoming class of fellows and have no doubt that they will continue the tradition of serving through science.”
Oluwafemi Soetan, Montclair State University and New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium Knauss Fellow
Oluwafemi Soetan also known as “Femi” of Montclair State University is one of the finalists that has been accepted into the 2024 Knauss Fellowship Class. Since 2021, Femi has been working to achieve his Ph.D in Environmental Science & Management. “I am beyond excited to be joining the 2024 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship cohort. I have spent the last 3 years researching various marine and aquatic challenges for my Doctoral Program and with this fellowship, I have the tremendous opportunity to be directly involved in policy and administration concerning these very matters. Thanks to the National Sea Grant Program and the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium for this amazing opportunity.” Says Femi.
Dr. Peter Rowe, Executive Director, notes “NJSGC is excited and pleased that Femi has been selected as a finalist for the Knauss Fellowship Class of 2024. Femi is one of the most talented, interesting, and inspiring individuals that has applied for the Fellowship through our organization. I know that he will not only be successful and gain a lot from this experience, but also that his host agency will gain from his presence there.”
This year’s class features students and recent graduates from 66 universities, including 12 minority-serving institutions (MSIs). The 84 finalists represent 30 of the 34 Sea Grant programs across the country and have completed years of coursework in fields ranging from zoology, oceanography, and marine science to environmental management, public policy, and engineering.
The 2024 class can look forward to sharing similar experiences with current and former fellows. In the 2023 class, executive appointments included placements throughout NOAA as well as with the Department of Energy, the Executive Office of the President, the National Science Foundation, and other agencies. 2023 Legislative fellows have supported the House Space and Technology Committee, Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation (Majority), the House Natural Resources Committee on Water Oceans and Wildlife, and several placements in both majority and minority personal offices (House and Senate).
Former and current hosts share that fellows are exceptional additions to their offices, often leading the charge and making lasting impacts on their focus areas. Knauss fellows have been described as invaluable, essential, and integral—they not only gain experience from this opportunity but also provide valuable perspectives as experts in their fields.
In the following months, the 2024 finalists will participate in the placement week process to get to know each other and interview with potential host offices. Following placement, they will begin their fellowships in February 2024. The 2024 Knauss finalists will become the 45th class of the fellowship and will join a group of over 1,600 professionals who have received hands-on experiences transferring science to policy and management through one-year appointments with federal government offices in Washington, D.C.
NJSGC will host an informational “Knauss 101” Zoom meeting with Director Dr. Peter Rowe on Wednesday, December 14th at 10 a.m. Register here.
Please contact our Communications Specialist for more information on how to join the session.
For more information on the fellowship, please visit our website.
The application period for the 2024 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship is now open. The fellowship provides a one-year, paid experience for highly qualified early career professionals to work on issues related to coastal, marine and Great Lakes science and policy in offices within the executive or legislative branch of government in Washington, D.C.
Graduate students interested in marine, coastal, and Great Lakes science and policy should explore the information about the fellowship as soon as possible and talk to New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium at least one month prior to the February 16, 2023 deadline.
To be eligible for the 2024 fellowship (which lasts February 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025),
Please share this opportunity with colleagues, friends and potential applicants!
Learn more about becoming a Knauss Fellow
Get started on your application with:
The 86 finalists in the 2023 class of the Sea Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Sea Grant have continued the tradition of the Sea Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program and have announced the finalists of the 2023 class. The finalists, who are early career professionals, will be placed in Washington, D.C. federal government offices. The 2023 class represents the largest in recent years with 86 finalists. Since 1979, over 1,550 fellows have completed the one-year Knauss fellowship program, applying their experience to lasting careers in science, policy, and public administration.
New Jersey Sea Grant’s very own nominee, Alexandra Swanson of Princeton University, has been chosen as a finalist for the prestigious Fellowship and we wish her luck on her journey!
Alexandra Swanson, Princeton University; New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium
NJSGC Executive Director, Dr. Peter Rowe notes “NJSGC is extremely thrilled that Alexandra Swanson has been selected as a 2023 Knauss Fellowship finalist. Ms. Swanson’s experiences at Brown and Princeton, from her being a policy analyst for the Providence City Council, to her Peace Corps work in Panama, and her current conservation internship at the Council on Environmental Quality make her a truly outstanding candidate. Given Alexandra’s background and characteristics, especially her maturity and vision, her drive, and her scientific talents, Ms. Swanson will make an excellent Knauss Fellow. NJSGC wishes her the best success.”
Knauss finalists are chosen through a competitive process that includes comprehensive review at both the state Sea Grant program and national levels. Students that are enrolled in or have recently completed master’s, Juris Doctor (J.D.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs with a focus and/or interest in marine and coastal science, policy or management apply to one of the 34 Sea Grant programs. If applicants are successful at the state program level, their applications are then reviewed by a national panel of experts. This year’s class of 86 finalists comprises students and recent graduates from 62 distinct universities, including 16 finalists from nine minority-serving institutions. The finalists represent 29 of the 34 Sea Grant programs, and they completed coursework and research in a range of fields, such as biology, chemistry, ecology, engineering, environmental science and management, law, marine and coastal sciences and policy, and several disciplines of oceanography.
“The Knauss Fellowship offers graduate students the invaluable opportunity to put their academic knowledge to practice in tackling marine, coastal, and Great Lakes management and policy challenges at the federal level,” said Jonathan Pennock, Ph.D., National Sea Grant College Program director. “We look forward to welcoming the 2023 class of Knauss fellows and seeing how they will apply their unique insights to developing solutions to some of the most important challenges facing the country.”
In an effort to be more equitable and inclusive, the application process for the 2023 Knauss Fellowship was restructured from past years. This included shifting from a generic personal statement to a series of short-answer questions that tapped into applicants’ creativity, practical skills and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, along with updated application evaluation criteria that more fully acknowledged the diversity of experiences that a student may bring to the fellowship.
Deputy Assistant Administrator for NOAA Research and former Knauss Fellow Emily Menashes offered her reflections on the fellowship. “No two Knauss Fellowship placements are the same, as this program is uniquely able to cater to the individual strengths and interests of each fellow. I look forward to learning more about each of the 2023 Knauss finalists.”
Read more about the Knauss Fellowship and other Finalists.
Congrats to the 2022 Knauss Legislative Fellows for successfully completing virtual Placement Week! Good luck to Ashlyn Spector (Rutgers University) who is placed at the Commerce Committee; Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries, Climate Change, and Manufacturing and Janine Barr (Rutgers University) who will be placed at the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Their fellowships in federal government begin February 1, 2022.
Our Executive fellows Schuyler Nardelli (Rutgers University) were placed at the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Office, and Liza Wright-Fairbanks (Rutgers University), at the Ocean Acidification Program Office.
Congratulations to all! See other placements, and learn how to become a fellow in 2023 at https://seagrant.noaa.gov/Knauss-Fellowship-Program.
NJSGC will host an informational “Knauss 101” Zoom meeting with Acting Director Dr. Peter Rowe on Wednesday, December 8th at 10 a.m. Register here.
Please contact our Communications Specialist for more information on how to join the session.
For more information on the fellowship, please visit our website.
Silver Spring, MD — NOAA and Sea Grant are pleased to announce the finalists for the 2022 class of the Sea Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program. The one-year fellowship places early career professionals in federal government offices in Washington, D.C. The 74 finalists in the 2022 class represent 28 of the 34 Sea Grant programs. Since 1979, almost 1,500 fellows have completed the program, becoming leaders in science, policy, and public administration roles.
Knauss finalists are chosen through a competitive process that includes comprehensive review at both the state Sea Grant program and national levels. Students that are enrolled in or have recently completed master’s, Juris Doctor (J.D.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs with a focus and/or interest in marine and coastal science, policy or management apply to one of the 34 Sea Grant programs. If applicants are successful at the state program level, their applications are then reviewed by a national panel of experts.
“At both the state and national levels, Sea Grant’s active recruitment and student engagement efforts supported one of the most robust applicant pools in fellowship history,” said Jonathan Pennock, Ph.D., National Sea Grant College Program director. “I have no doubt that the finalists’ diverse perspectives will provide great insight towards addressing critical marine policy and science challenges. We look forward to welcoming the 2022 class of Knauss fellows.”
This year’s class comprises students and recent graduates from 51 distinct universities, including 11 minority-serving institutions. The finalists completed coursework and research in a range of fields, such as agronomy, anthropology, ecology, environmental policy and law, fisheries, geology, marine and coastal sciences, several disciplines of oceanography, tourism management, and urban and regional planning.
Download the list of 2022 Knauss finalists (PDF)
Download the placements for 2022 Knauss executive fellows (PDF)
Interested in applying for the 2022 Knauss Fellowship?
Attend NJSGC “Knauss 101 Info Session” with Acting Executive Director Pete Rowe
NJSGC will host an informational “Knauss 101” Zoom meeting with Acting Director Dr. Peter Rowe on Wednesday, December 8th at 10 a.m. Register here.
Please contact our Communications Specialist for more information on how to join the session.
For more information on the fellowship, please visit our website.