The John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships Program was
established in 1979 to provide a unique educational experience to
students who have an interest in marine/ocean/Great Lakes resources and
in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The program
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 fellowships, over 50 were awarded for the 2012 class,
allow students to share their expertise with policy makers in
Washington, D.C., and provide a first-hand look at how science is used
in the policy arena and how decisions are made. Many Knauss fellows are
offered permanent employment by their sponsoring agencies and either
remain in the Washington, DC, area or receive assignments to offices
across the United States.
The
stipend for the Fellowship is $41,500 plus an additional $9,000 for
moving and travel expenses and mandatory health insurance, and $2,000
for Placement Week expenses.
Louisiana
Sea Grant has assisted in sending 21 bright graduates to DC on Knauss
Fellowships. Mr. Brandon Sousa, recently graduated from the Tulane Law
School, has been placed in the NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected
Resources for 2012-2013. A minimum of 30 fellowships (the historic number is about 50) will be available for the Class of 2013 (February 2013 through January 2014);
we hope to place several young men and women among them. Students from
all of Louisiana’s colleges and universities are encouraged to take
advantage of this exciting program. United States citizenship is not necessary to participate in the fellowship program.
Applications for the Knauss Fellowship will be rigorously evaluated according to the following criteria:
1
Recommendations and/or endorsements of student (15 percent total):
Endorsement/content of the letter from the applicant's state Sea Grant
Program Director, the applicant's major professor, and the second letter
of recommendation. Note:
The selection committee places great emphasis on the quality and
sincerity of a nominee’s letters of endorsement. Please ensure that
those asked to provide letters understand their importance in the
selection process.
2
Academic record and statement of career goals and objectives of student
(45 percent total): Quality of the applicant's personal education and
career goal statement (30 percent); Strength of academic performance (15
percent).
3 Additional relevant experiences (40 percent total) related to: diversity
of education, extra-curricular activities, honors and awards, and
interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills. For the Knauss Sea Grant Fellowship Program, relevant experience would be in marine or aquatic-related fields. Note:
The selection committee looks very favorably on résumés that have a
diversity both of volunteer and extracurricular activities and of
publications and oral presentations.
Eligible
graduate students must submit applications to State Sea Grant college
programs. Applications (see attached announcement) from prospective
fellows to the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program are due 17 February 2012.
- Please contact your local Sea Grant Program (see below).
- To obtain the RFP, please visit www.grants.gov
- Federal Funding Opportunity #: NOAA-OAR-SG-2013-2003219
- For more information, please contact Chelsea.Lowes@noaa.gov.
