ALT A large group photo of approximately thirty professionally dressed people posing together on an outdoor brick courtyard. They are gathered in front of a modern brick building centered around a large blue fountain sculpture depicting a hand releasing a flock of birds into the air.

ALT A diverse group of young adults sitting at rows of long wooden tables in a bright conference room or classroom during an orientation presentation. They are looking attentively toward the front left. In the foreground, a man with glasses and a navy blue blazer sits next to a woman with long dark hair. Pens, notebooks, folders, and water bottles are scattered across the desks.

ALT At the front of a well-lit presentation room, a man in a navy blazer and glasses speaks into a handheld microphone while standing next to a smiling woman in a black blazer and tan pants. To the left, a large projector screen displays a slide.

ALT A blonde female presenter speaking to an audience seated in a tiered lecture hall with green seats. She stands at the front of the room next to a gray utility cart, gesturing as she speaks. Positioned high on the wall behind the audience is a large, complete fossil skeleton of a prehistoric whale.

ALT A scientist measures a tagged greater amberjack prior to releasing it. (Photo courtesy of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)

ALT Fourteen individuals (twelve women and two men) representing the 2026 Knauss legislative cohort, posing side-by-side in a single line. The group is dressed in business-professional attire, including black, navy, grey, tan, and pinstripe pantsuits and blazers. One individual stands out on the right side, wearing a vibrant pink pantsuit. They are standing on the stone plaza directly in front of the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. The iconic white Capitol dome rises prominently behind them, with the American flag flying from the portico below it. The photo was taken during the day under an overcast, heavily clouded gray sky, creating soft, even lighting across the group.

ALT A Sea Grant Knauss Alumni Spotlight graphic featuring Po Cheng Chen, a 2025 Executive Fellow. Po Cheng is pictured on the right, smiling at the camera. He wears glasses and a light-colored, button-down shirt. The background is a solid light blue. Text on card: The Knauss Fellowship provided me with the opportunity to apply my background in atmospheric science to real-world public service. I contributed to NOAA’s generative AI initiatives and worked on projects to improve internal workflows and decision-making. This experience showed me that scientists can also make meaningful contributions by supporting policy, operations, and innovation across government. Learn more at seagrant.noaa.gov/knauss.

ALT A Sea Grant Knauss Alumni Spotlight graphic featuring Jeanette Davis, a 2015 Executive Fellow. Jeanette is pictured on the right, smiling broadly. She is wearing sunglasses, a camouflage baseball cap, and a white long-sleeve performance shirt. She is holding up a large mesh bag full of oyster shells. Text on card: The Knauss Fellowship helped me become a better scientist. It expanded my perception of science and supported me in centering people and communities who are impacted by science. It’s wonderful to have specific ideas and goals about policy, but lean into curiosity. Be open, authentic, and use the fellowship as an opportunity to contribute, learn, and grow. Learn more at seagrant.noaa.gov/knauss.

ALT A Sea Grant Knauss Alumni Spotlight graphic featuring Stacy Aguilera-Peterson, a 2018 Executive Fellow. Stacy is pictured on the right, smiling warmly. She has long brown hair and is wearing a professional navy blue blazer over a white blouse. The background is a solid light blue. Text on card: The Knauss Fellowship opened my eyes to the fun and wild world of interagency coordination. I then spent 7 years in federal service applying what I learned during the fellowship to advance national ocean policy. Narrate the story of how all your experiences have made you you, and how the fellowship will help you meet your goals. Learn more at seagrant.noaa.gov/knauss.

ALT A Sea Grant Knauss Alumni Spotlight graphic featuring Madison Willert, a 2023 Executive Fellow. Madison is pictured on the right, laughing with excitement. She has blonde hair and is wearing a black fleece jacket and dark waders, holding a large, weathered black bucket. The background shows a misty, forested mountain and a faded image of a marine debris cleanup. Text on card: The fellowship kick-started my passion for marine debris and sustainable systems, and I learned so much about shaping national research priorities and grantmaking. Be yourself! Applicants to the Knauss Fellowship are all incredibly qualified, but only you have the unique qualities that define you; be sure to highlight those. Learn more at seagrant.noaa.gov/knauss.

ALT A Sea Grant Knauss Alumni Spotlight graphic featuring Liang Wu, a 2022 Executive Fellow. Liang is pictured on the right wearing a dark baseball cap and polo shirt, both featuring the "Okeanos Explorer" logo. Text on card: As one of the few social scientists in my cohort, the Knauss Fellowship has opened many doors for me and fundamentally shaped my professional identity and development as an interdisciplinary and intersectoral scholar who bridges academia, policy, and society to better understand and serve the ocean and our world. Learn more at seagrant.noaa.gov/knauss.

ALT A Sea Grant Knauss Alumni Spotlight graphic featuring Brendan Talwar, a 2017 Executive Fellow. Brendan is shown on the right, smiling, with short dark hair and wearing a dark long-sleeve shirt. Text on card: During the Knauss Fellowship, I helped discern which research insights directly inform policy decisions, communicated those insights to legislators, and translated them for the public. I learned first-hand that federal agencies and staff are critical components of a complex infrastructure designed to serve the American people and manage our incredible natural resources. Learn more at seagrant.noaa.gov/knauss.

ALT A Sea Grant Knauss Alumni Spotlight graphic featuring Sophia Troeh, a 2023 Executive Fellow. Sophia is pictured on the right, smiling and giving two thumbs up while wearing bright orange work gloves, tan fishing waders, and a light blue raincoat. Text on card: The Knauss Fellowship launched my career in fisheries and helped me realize my career goals. I also gained lifelong friendships in my cohort and expanded my professional connections through the vast alumni network. Be open to trying something new! The Fellowship has so much more to offer than just policy experience. Learn more at seagrant.noaa.gov/knauss.

ALT A Sea Grant Knauss Alumni Spotlight graphic featuring Amara Davis, a 2021 Executive Fellow. Amara is pictured on the right, smiling brightly with her dark hair pulled back, wearing a white V-neck shirt. Text on card: The Knauss Fellowship expanded my professional network and kick-started my career in federal public service. If you’re thinking about applying, remember to keep your application authentic. Share what makes your experiences meaningful, what you bring to the fellowship and what you want to gain. Learn more at seagrant.noaa.gov/knauss.

ALT A "Sea Grant Knauss Alumni Spotlight" graphic featuring Sara Gottlieb, a 1997 Legislative Fellow. Sara is shown speaking at an event, wearing a blue sleeveless dress and a silver necklace. Her quote mentions how the fellowship gave her an inside look at federal policy and funding for the Great Lakes, advising others to be open to experiences outside their comfort zone.

ALT A "Sea Grant Knauss Alumni Spotlight" graphic featuring Andrew Rubin, a 2015 Executive Fellow. Andrew is pictured in a grey suit and tie, smiling behind a desk with a "COUNSEL" nameplate. His quote explains how the fellowship allowed him to put his law education into practice and offers advice on viewing interviews as a two-way learning opportunity.

ALT A "Sea Grant Knauss Alumni Spotlight" graphic featuring Jennifer Cudney, a 2011 Executive Fellow. Jennifer is pictured outdoors in field gear—a green shirt, red life vest, and gloves—holding a fish. Her quote describes how the fellowship provided a "behind the scenes" look at natural resources management and helped her decide between academia and public service.

ALT A "Sea Grant Knauss Alumni Spotlight" graphic featuring Kara Chuang, a 2025 Executive Fellow. Kara is smiling in front of a background of cherry blossom trees, wearing a teal top and black blazer. Her quote highlights how the fellowship helped her become a more adaptable professional and emphasizes the importance of focusing on one's own unique "why."

ALT This hand fan from the Charleston Heat-Health Research Project educates on the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and what to do to reduce heat effects.

ALT A Sea Grant "Knauss Alumni Spotlight" card for Jessica Gwinn, a 2023 Executive Fellow. The card features a close-up photo of Jessica smiling with long blonde hair. The text reads: "The Knauss Fellowship helped me explore new areas beyond my previous expertise and career trajectory, and ultimately broadened my perspective on the kinds of work I could pursue. When applying, share your passions, what makes you unique, and highlight leadership roles in your community, graduate school, etc." Link at bottom: seagrant.noaa.gov/knauss

ALT A Sea Grant "Knauss Alumni Spotlight" card for Carrie Schmaus, a 2018 Executive Fellow. The card features a photo of Carrie outdoors on a boat, smiling with her arms outstretched, wearing sunglasses and a black coat over a red life vest with mountains and water in the background. The text reads: "The Knauss Fellowship introduced me to wonderful, inspiring people and led me to a fulfilling career in public service. I encourage applicants to interview with a variety of offices, even if they don't have prior experience in their mission space. The Fellowship is an opportunity to grow!" Link at bottom: seagrant.noaa.gov/knauss

ALT A Sea Grant "Knauss Alumni Spotlight" card for Erica Towle, Ph.D., a 2016 Legislative Fellow. The card features a professional headshot of Erica smiling, wearing a black blazer with a NOAA pin. The text reads: "The Knauss fellowship provided me with the networks to leverage the career I have now at NOAA. If you're thinking about applying for Knauss but fear diverging from academia for a year, know that this experience will only make you a better advocate for your science and shed light on how science is funded." Link at bottom: seagrant.noaa.gov/knauss

ALT A Sea Grant "Knauss Alumni Spotlight" card for Jennifer Cudney, a 2011 Executive Fellow. The card features a photo of Jennifer smiling while wearing a green shirt, a red life vest, a baseball cap, and safety glasses as she holds a large sturgeon. The text reads: "The Knauss Fellowship gave me an opportunity to see and understand the day-to-day, 'behind the scenes' aspects of natural resources management. I was at a crossroads when I did my Knauss Fellowship, and my experiences helped inform career decisions about staying in academia versus pursuing public service opportunities with the federal government." Link at bottom: seagrant.noaa.gov/knauss

ALT An infographic with a blue background titled "Knauss Fellowship Application Checklist" in large white letters. The subtitle reads, "Use this checklist to stay on track and submit a strong application." Below this, a piece of torn notebook paper with a paper clip features a checklist. The item "Confirm your eligibility" is marked with a red check. Items with empty circles include: "Connect with your state Sea Grant program," "Review and refine your personal statement," "Request recommendations early," and "Proofread and submit your package." Text at the bottom of the paper states, "Remember, the application deadline is" followed by a prominent red box containing the text "JUNE 3, 2026." The bottom left of the image displays the "JOHN A. KNAUSS Sea Grant MARINE POLICY FELLOWSHIP" logo. The bottom center reads, "Questions? Email oar.sg.fellows@noaa.gov."