What is the Knauss Fellowship?
The Knauss Fellowship (according to its website) is a one year opportunity for US graduate students with an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources to work in the Executive and Legislative branches of the federal government. This fellowship is granted by NOAA Sea Grant and is open to all nationalities as long as the applicant is attending a US-based institution.
How does it work?
Each year, there are different host offices in both the executive and legislative branch. Once Knauss finalists are sorted into respective branches, then a match-making process begins. It is called ‘Placement Week’. In 2020, placement week became virtual (because of COVID) and the placement week for finalists in the legislative branch won’t happen until January 2021 (because of inauguration). The placement week functions more like a match making, so finalists will definitely get a host office. The office or position may just not be the top choice.
Where did I end up?
On February 2021, I was placed in the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, Science, and Technology Committee; Ocean, Fisheries, Climate Change, and Manufacturing Subcommittee (Democrat)!
Six months later, I’m ready to share my experiences so far and what it means to be a legislative fellow.
Read more of my experiences in the Sea Grant Knauss Blog! Sneak peak on the day in the life of a legislative fellow below.
Elle Wibisono 