Knauss Sea Grant Marine Policy Fellowships

Guidelines for Application

The deadline for the 2010 fellowship is February 20, 2009.

Sea Grant's national internship program provides eligible students a year of experience on a Congressional staff or with an Executive Branch agency working on marine issues. It is open to all students enrolled in a graduate or professional program in a marine- or aquatic-related field at a U.S.–accredited institution of higher learning. The fellowship allows students to share their expertise with policy makers in Washington, D.C., and provides a firsthand look at how science is used in the policy arena and how decisions are made.

Congressional and agency positions, such as with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, and the Environmental Protection Agency, are available each year.

The fellowship program was initiated in 1979, and to date more than 650 students have successfully graduated. Not less than 30 applicants will be selected, and 30 to 50 are placed each year, of which the selected applicants assigned to the Congress may be limited to 10. The Alaska Sea Grant College Program can nominate up to five students for the fellowship.

Terms of Appointment: The fellowship will be for a period of one year starting in February 201. Compensation is $34,000 to each Fellow for stipend and living expenses (per diem); an additional $8,000 will be used to cover mandatory health insurance for the Fellow and moving expenses. Any remaining funds of the $8,000 shall be used for the Fellow during the fellowship year, first to satisfy academic degree-related activities, and second for fellowship-related activities. Finally, up to $2,000 from the total $44,000 can be used to cover placement week costs. Applicants should seek competent advice on income tax status of the stipend for their situation.

Qualifications and application: Students should be enrolled in a graduate or professional program in a marine or aquatic-related field on Feburary 20, 2009. Applicants will be judged on academic record, communication skills (written and verbal), ability to work with people, recommendations, prior studies and work experience, and diversity of academic background. The fellowship must be a continuation of the applicant's educational program.

For additional information: David Christie at (907) 474-7836 or Sue Keller at (907) 474-6703. Also see the National Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship Web site and the Knauss section of the National Sea Grant RFP page.

Applicants should provide the following information to:

Paula Cullenberg, Interim Director
Alaska Sea Grant College Program
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Wells Fargo Building
794 University Avenue, Suite 238
Fairbanks, AK 99709

  1. A personal and academic curriculum vitae, including leadership experience, educational travel, extracurricular awards, relevant volunteer activities, publications and presentations (2 pages or less, 12-point font and 1-inch margins).
  2. A personal education and career goal statement (1,000 words or less in 12-point font) describing your qualifications and how your past experiences relate to the fellowship, and outlining how the internship would contribute to your overall educational experience and career development. This statement is critical to the selection process, and should be written with care and thought. Placement preference in the Executive or Legislative branches of the government may be stated, and will be honored to the extent possible.
  3. Two letters of recommendation, including one from your major professor (if no major professor exists, the faculty person academically knowing the applicant best may be substituted) describing your work and interests and the benefits expected from a fellowship appointment.
  4. An official copy of all undergraduate and graduate student transcripts.
  5. A listing of your classes and/or plans for spring, summer, and fall of 2009 (not to exceed one page).

Knauss Fellowships: Creating an Application has excellent tips and ideas for putting together an application, including a listing of some of the key issues the selection panel will focus on.

Applications should be professional in appearance and must be carefully checked for typographic errors, spelling, and grammar. All applicants will be evaluated only on their application package according to the selection criteria listed in the Full Funding Opportunity announcement [PDF]. Therefore, letters of endorsements from members of Congress, friends, relatives and others will not be accepted. Prior contacts/arrangements made with possible host offices will be cause for immediate disqualification from the process.

Deadline: Applications are due in the Alaska Sea Grant office by February 20, 2009. The applicant should seek an appointment with David Christie before submitting the application materials. Formal interviews with a recommending panel will be conducted March 4–5, 2009.

Alaska Sea Grant will submit applications for recommended candidates, along with a letter of endorsement from the director, to the National Sea Grant Office no later than close of business April 3, 2009. The competitive selection process and subsequent notification to the Sea Grant programs will be completed by May 23, 2009. Interviews with potential hosts and placement will be in December 2009, during a visit to Washington, D.C.

Timetable for Knauss Fellowship Applications

February 20, 2009 Application materials for each applicant due in the Alaska Sea Grant office.
March 4–5, 2009 Interviews with applicants.
March 28, 2009 Alaska applicants selected for national pool of applicants.
April 3, 2009 Alaska applications submitted to National Sea Grant Office.
May 23, 2009 Knauss Fellows selected for 2010.
November 2009 Fellows interview hosts in D.C.
February 1, 2010 Fellowships begin.

The National Sea Grant Web site has additional information on the Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship.