2022 Knauss Fellowship Applications Open

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: John Fear, jmfear@ncsu.edu

Federal Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-OAR-SG-2022-2006631

North Carolina Sea Grant is accepting applications from North Carolina graduate students for the 2022 Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship. The deadline is Feb. 19, 2021, at 5 p.m.

NOAA offers the prestigious fellowship through the National Sea Grant Office in honor of John A. Knauss, who was a Sea Grant founder, NOAA administrator and dean of the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography. The program places graduate students in Washington, D.C. to work on federal policies and processes that affect ocean, coastal and Great Lakes issues.

“We are seeking a wide pool of applicants, with experience in a wide range of disciplines and interdisciplinary studies,” says Susan White, executive director for North Carolina Sea Grant. “We value diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organization and the communities we serve. Through the Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, we strive to provide an educational and employment opportunity for current and recent 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 84 graduate students from North Carolina have served as Knauss fellows throughout the program’s 40-year history, including  four current Knauss fellows for 2020, and four finalists for 2021.

The 2021 Fellows will serve from Feb. 1, 2022 to Feb. 28, 2023.

“We are honored to nominate strong North Carolina students for this opportunity every year,” says John Fear, North Carolina Sea Grant deputy director. “Current and past fellows cite this vital professional experience in marine policy as key influences on career paths in science, policy, communications and other fields.”

Eligible applicants are any student, regardless of citizenship that: 1) is enrolled towards a degree in a graduate program at any point between the onset of the 2020 Fall Term (quarter, trimester, semester, etc.) and Feb. 19, 2021; 2) is enrolled, as described above, and will receive a degree from an accredited Institution of higher education in the United States or U.S Territories; and 3) has an interest in ocean, costal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. North Carolina Sea Grant is able to nominate up to six students from North Carolina based schools for the 2022 Knauss competition.

As part of the state-level application review process, North Carolina Sea Grant will use personal interviews, which will occur in mid-March 2021. Those sessions may be virtual to meet social distancing requirements.

All prospective fellows from North Carolina must submit their applications through the eSeaGrant online portal, which includes detailed instructions and requirements: go.ncsu.edu/ncesg.

For more information, contact John Fear at jmfear@ncsu.edu. Due to North Carolina Sea Grant’s current teleworking situation, email is the preferred contact method. Phone and Zoom calls can be arranged if needed.

Additional information also is available at the National Sea Grant fellowship website, which includes biographies of current Knauss fellows: seagrant.noaa.gov/Knauss.

An informational webinar will be held Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. Eastern. Registration is required.

To learn more about other North Carolina Sea Grant graduate fellowships, visit ncseagrant.ncsu.edu/fellowships.

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