The National Sea Grant College Program was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1966 to support leveraged federal and state partnerships that harness the intellectual capacity of the nation’s universities and research institutions to solve problems and generate opportunities in coastal communities.
Donor Name: Department of Commerce
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Fellowship
Deadline: 07/22/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
NOAA provides funding to Sea Grant institutions to increase the understanding, assessment, development, management, utilization, and conservation of the Nation’s ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources by providing assistance to promote a strong educational base, responsive research and training activities, broad and prompt dissemination of knowledge and techniques, and multidisciplinary approaches to environmental problems, in accordance with 33 USC 1121(b).
Priorities
The Sea Grant Act includes a legislative mandate to provide an educational experience in the policies and processes of the legislative and executive branches of the federal government for students enrolled in graduate or professional programs that have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. In 1979, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) initiated the Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship Program to help fulfill its broad educational responsibilities and meet this legislative mandate. The Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship Program meets NOAA’s mission of “Science, service and stewardship. Through the Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship, they strive to provide an educational and employment opportunity for current and recent graduate students interested in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and the national policy decisions affecting those resources.
Funding Information
Application packages will each propose a total of $97,200 in funding. This includes base funding for each award at $79,700, of which $74,700 is to be used by the eligible Sea Grant program to cover the fellow’s salary/stipend and personnel expenses for the twelve months of the fellowship, and $5,000 can be used to cover allowable expenses.
Project Period
The anticipated start date for the 12-month fellowship is between February 1 and June 1, 2027.
Eligibility Criteria
A student is eligible to submit application materials of this NOFO to an eligible Sea Grant program if:
- The student is a U.S. Citizen (born or naturalized), a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), or a dual national with at least one citizenship as the U.S.;
- The student is enrolled towards a degree in a graduate program at any point between the onset of the 2025 Fall Term (quarter, trimester, semester, etc.) and June 3, 2026;
- The graduate degree will be awarded through an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or U.S. Territories, and;
- The student has an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources.
For more information visit Grants.gov.
