Sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the National Sea Grant College Program, this prestigious, paid one-year fellowship offers a unique opportunity for graduate and post-graduate students interested in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and the national policy decisions that impact them.
Selected fellows are placed in legislative or executive branch offices in the Washington, D.C. area, where they gain hands-on experience in federal policy, contribute scientific expertise to decision-making, and build professional skills in communication, leadership, and science policy. Alumni of the program have gone on to successful careers across government, academia, nonprofit organizations, and private industry.
Application Deadline: June 3, 2026 (5:00 PM ET)
To support prospective applicants, New Jersey Sea Grant will host a virtual Q&A session onApril 20 from 1:00–3:00 PM ET. This session will provide an overview of the application process, requirements, and tips for success. In the meantime, please refer to the attached materials for additional guidance.
If you are interested in attending the Q&A session, please email Digital Communications Associate Yazemin Yilmaz (yyilmaz@njseagrant.org) and CC Executive Director Dr. Peter Rowe (prowe@njseagrant.org) to reserve your spot.
For general questions about the application process, please contact Dr. Peter Rowe directly.
We encourage you to share this opportunity with eligible students and colleagues who may be interested in advancing their careers in marine policy.
Completed applications must be submitted by June 3, 2026 (5:00 PM ET) via email to Dr. Peter Rowe (prowe@njseagrant.org) and Kathy Elderhorst, Program Associate (kelderhorst@njseagrant.org).
In October, LauraGeronimo traveled in Florida. Her recent StoryMap, titled “Exploring Florida’s Resilience Networks,” provides an insightful look into how communities from the Keys to Tampa Bay are enhancing marine and coastal resilience.
The beginning of Laura’s StoryMap.
The StoryMap explores innovative initiatives such as living shorelines, mangrove restoration, and community-driven partnerships aimed at reducing the impacts of environmental change. Through interactive mapping and engaging visuals, Laura demonstrates how science, policy, and local action strengthen coastal ecosystems and communities.
Laura at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
This project represents the Knauss Fellowship: bridging science and policy to tackle urgent environmental challenges while fostering meaningful connections. Explore the full StoryMap here.
The Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship provides a unique educational and professional experience to graduate students interested in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. 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 branch of government located in the Washington, D.C. area, for a one-year paid fellowship.
Applications must be submitted to the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium by February 19, 2025. Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to NJSGC or the Sea Grant program in their state one to two months prior to the state application deadline to receive application support and provide notification of an intent to apply. The applicant should allow sufficient time to schedule an interview with the eligible Sea Grant program at the program’s request. More information at seagrant.noaa.gov/Prospective.
New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium will be hosting an information session on January 17, 2025 at 10AM. Register by clicking here. Please reach out to Dr. Peter Rowe at prowe@njseagrant.org with any questions.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program is thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2025 class of the Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship. This year, for the first time in program history, all eligible Sea Grant programs are represented by a diverse cohort of 88 early-career professionals who will spend the next year working alongside federal agencies or legislative offices in Washington, D.C., applying their academic expertise to critical marine, coastal and Great Lakes policy issues.
Laura Geronimo, NJSGC Knauss Finalist
This year New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium’s applicant Laura Geronimo a Post-Doctoral Associate from Rutgers University, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences has been chosen for the Executive Branch of the fellowship.
Since 1979, the Knauss Fellowship provides graduate students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience developing and implementing national policy. This year’s class brings a wide range of experiences and aspirations, reflecting the breadth of the marine and coastal fields. Many of the finalists were motivated by a desire to work at the interface of science and policy, and passionate about building sustainable futures and promoting resilient ecosystems. As one finalist described, “My values are woven from the ocean’s lessons—a tapestry of interconnectedness, symbiosis among different perspectives and adaptability to change.”
As in previous years, this year’s finalists were selected through a competitive process that involved review panels composed of national experts in marine science, policy and education. Over the past 45 years, the Knauss Fellowship has supported more than 1,660 students who have significantly contributed to environmental policy and management and built lasting careers.
“This year’s Knauss Fellowship cohort exemplifies the passion and expertise necessary to address the evolving challenges facing our coasts and oceans,” remarked Dr. Jonathan Pennock, Director of the National Sea Grant College Program. “We are confident that their dedication to serving through science will lead to innovative solutions that sustain coastal and marine resources and communities for future generations.”
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 current issues in science, policy, and public administration. Students who are enrolled in or have recently completed master’s, Juris Doctor and Doctor of Philosophy programs with a focus and/or interest in marine and coastal science, policy, or management apply to one of the 33 eligible Sea Grant programs.
The 2025 finalists represent 70 universities across the country—including 10 minority serving institutions—comprising 44 master’s students, 41 Ph.D. candidates and 3 J.D. candidates. They are geographers, ichthyologists, ecologists, lawyers, environmental managers and more. They represent communities across the nation and are committed to making meaningful contributions to marine policy.
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),
A student must be enrolled towards a degree in a graduate program at any point between the onset of the 2023 Fall Term (quarter, trimester, semester, etc.) and February 15, 2024;
The student’s graduate degree program must be through an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or U.S. Territories;
Students are eligible regardless of nationality; domestic and international students at accredited U.S. institutions may apply; and
Applicants must have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources.
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.
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),
A student must be enrolled towards a degree in a graduate program at any point between the onset of the 2022 Fall Term (quarter, trimester, semester, etc.) and February 16, 2023;
The student’s graduate degree program must be through an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or U.S. Territories;
Students are eligible regardless of nationality; domestic and international students at accredited U.S. institutions may apply; and
Applicants must have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources.
Please share this opportunity with colleagues, friends and potential applicants!
