Policy Fellowships Eng Sci Grad Stud
Policy Fellowships Eng Sci Grad Stud
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Lewis-Burke Associates has compiled a list of fellowships geared toward faculty and graduate
students who are interested in utilizing their scientific and engineering expertise in the federal
policy arena. This report was compiled to help answer questions on this topic from faculty and
students and provide a view of the type of opportunities that exist for people to learn more about
the policy world or to transition permanently to a career in policy or government. (This
document does not list every program in existence, but describes the range of program types.)
For each fellowship, the document provides the program web site, a brief description of
fellowship activities, the eligibility requirements, and the duration and location of the program.
For many of the fellowships, the deadline for applications is in the fall or early winter. Most of
these programs are offered annually.
While many of these programs require the completion of a Ph.D. (e.g. the AAAS Science &
Technology Policy Fellowships), there are several that do not (including the Christine Mirzayan
Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program, the Presidential Management
Fellowships, and others). These programs offer the opportunity for enrolled graduate students to
experience an interlude in a policy-focused setting to learn more about the policy world, evaluate
if they are interested in changing their focus from their degree program to a more policy-focused
career, or actually begin such a transition.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program ................ 2
Presidential Management Fellows Program ................................................................................... 3
Google Policy Fellowship ............................................................................................................... 4
John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship ..................................................................................... 4
American Institute of Biological Sciences Graduate Student Policy Fellowship ........................... 5
Targeted Congressional Fellowship Programs ............................................................................... 5
AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships ........................................................................ 6
American Chemical Society Science Policy Fellowship ................................................................ 8
John Bahcall Public Policy Fellowship........................................................................................... 8
California Science and Technology Policy Fellowship .................................................................. 9
ARPA-E Fellows Program.............................................................................................................. 9
The Hellman Fellowship in Science and Technology Policy ....................................................... 10
American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship Program .............................. 10
USAID World Learning Democracy Fellows Program ................................................................ 11
Jefferson Science Fellows at the U.S. Department of State .......................................................... 12
Aldo Leopold Leadership Program ............................................................................................... 13
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellowships Program...................................... 13
FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS
The Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program
http://www7.nationalacademies.org/policyfellows/
Each fellow is assigned to a senior staff member who acts as his or her mentor. The first week of
the fellowship program, the fellows spend the morning gaining a better understanding of how the
National Academies work and the fundamentals of science and technology policy analysis. In
addition, the fellows are briefed by organizations in Washington other than the National
Academies who influence, make, or report on science and technology policy. After the first
week, the fellows’ training and educational experience continues and includes weekly events
such as lunches with each of the three Academies presidents, field trips, and briefings. Fellows
are encouraged to independently seek activities outside the National Academies as well. These
activities can include Congressional hearings, seminars at other think tanks, shadowing federal
officials or others involved in science and technology policy to observe their activities, etc.
Duration/Location
Fellows engage in studies and activities throughout the National Academies in Washington, DC.
The fellowship program typically consists of two, 12-week sessions (January-April and
September-November).
The PMF application/selection process is multi-tiered. It includes the U.S. Office of Personnel
Management (OPM), graduate schools, and federal agencies. The general steps are as follows:
Graduate students complete the OPM PMF application by October 31 of the academic year in
which they intend to graduate. The dean or chairperson of the student's graduate program
must endorse this application.
OPM selects PMF Finalists based on a review of written applications and performance in
group and individual interviews.
PMF Finalists apply directly to agency PMF programs. Finalist applications are then assessed
based on academic performance, experience, interest, and communication skills.
Eligibility
Graduate students from all academic disciplines who expect to complete an advanced degree
(master's, law, or doctoral-level degree) from a qualifying college or university by August 31 of
the academic year in which the competition is held are eligible to apply to the Presidential
Management Fellows (PMF) Program. The PMF Program accepts applicants from a wide
variety of academic backgrounds and disciplines.
Duration/Location
PMF's receive an initial two-year appointment to an excepted service position at federal agencies
(most of which are in the Washington, DC area).
Overview
Fellows work at public interest organizations at the forefront of debates on broadband and access
policy, content regulation, copyright and trademark reform, consumer privacy, open government,
and more. Participating organizations include: American Library Association, Canadian Internet
Policy and Public Interest Clinic, Cato Institute, Center for Democracy and Technology, Citizen
Lab, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Creative Commons, Electronic Frontier Foundation,
Future of Music Coalition, Internet Education Foundation, Joint Center for Political and
Economic Studies, Media Access Project, National Hispanic Media Coalition, New America
Foundation, Progress and Freedom Foundation, Public Knowledge, and Technology Policy
Institute. More information about the host organizations and the areas of focus for the fellows
can be found here: http://www.google.com/policyfellowship/hosts.html.
Eligibility
The Google Policy Fellowship program offers undergraduate, graduate, and law students
interested in Internet and technology policy the opportunity to spend the summer contributing to
the public dialogue on these issues, and exploring future academic and professional interests.
Any major and degree programs are welcome to apply.
Duration/Location
Partnering organizations are based in either Washington, DC, San Francisco, CA , Ottawa or
Toronto, Canada. Fellows will receive a stipend of $7,000 for ten weeks during the summer,
June-August. Exact dates of the fellowship will be worked out by the fellow and host
organization.
Overview
The Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, offered through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program (NSGO), provides a unique educational
experience to students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in
the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The program provides fellows with an
award of $49,000.
Eligibility
Any student, regardless of citizenship, who is in a graduate or professional program in a marine
or aquatic-related field at a United States-accredited institution of higher education, may apply to
the NSGO through their state Sea Grant program. Applicants from states not served by a Sea
Grant program should obtain further information by contacting the Knauss Sea Grant Fellowship
Program Manager at the NSGO.
Eligibility
Current and recent biological sciences graduate students.
Duration/Location
Three to six months at the American Institute of Biological Sciences office in Washington, DC.
Eligibility
To apply for an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science &
Technology Policy Fellowship, one must hold a doctoral-level degree (PhD, MD, DVM, DSc,
PharmD, and other terminal degrees), in any physical, biological, health/medical or
behavioral/social science, any field of engineering, or any relevant interdisciplinary field
(individuals with a master’s degree in engineering and at least three years of post-degree
professional experience also may apply). There is no "ideal" candidate for a AAAS Fellowship.
Fellows come from many different disciplines in science and engineering. They arrive from
academia, industry and the non-profit sectors; and they represent a broad range of career stages,
from recently graduated post-docs to mid-career professionals and faculty on sabbatical, to
retired individuals.
Duration/Location
The fellowships, which are exclusively on-site assignments in the Washington, DC area, are for a
12-month period (beginning on September 1 and ending on August 31). Some fellowships may
renew for a second year at the mutual agreement of the host office, the fellow, and AAAS.
Sponsor Organizations
Eligibility
Fellows may be entry-level PhDs or experienced professionals from academia, industry, or non-
profits. Successful applicants must demonstrate:
Significant familiarity with the chemical sciences or engineering disciplines (e.g., a doctorate
or a master’s degree and equivalent experience)
A working understanding of the chemical community
Interest in the public policy process, and an awareness of and sensitivity to the political,
economic, and social factors that influence policy-makers
Membership in the American Chemical Society (ACS)
Duration/Location
The American Chemical Society Science Policy Fellowship Program places one fellow in the
ACS Office of Public Affairs (OPA) in Washington, DC for one to two years.
Overview
The John Bahcall Public Policy Fellowship, run through the American Astronomical Society
(AAS), was created to provide an opportunity for early career astronomers to gain experience in
the world of science policy and serves to augment the policy advocacy programs of the society.
The fellow works in partnership with the Executive Officer of AAS to coordinate the public
policy activities of the Society.
Eligibility
Applicants need to have completed their Ph.D. in a program related to astronomy.
Duration/Location
The Bahcall Fellowship is currently a one-year postdoctoral level appointment.
Overview
Offered by the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST), the California Science
and Technology Policy Fellowships place professional scientists and engineers in the California
State Legislature for one-year appointments. These professional development opportunities will
enable fellows to work hands on with policy-makers to develop solutions to complex scientific
and technical issues facing California through their interaction with the legislative process. The
fellowships are ideal for qualified applicants who are interested in improving the interface
between science and legislative decision-making and who want to learn the public policy
decision-making process. Fellows receive a stipend of $45,000.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Fellowship candidates must have a Ph.D. or equivalent level degree, or an
MS degree in an engineering discipline, plus at least three years post-degree experience.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Active state employees and individuals
who have registered as lobbyists with six months of the application deadline are not eligible.
Duration/Location
Fellows will be placed, for one year, in various offices of the California State Legislature.
Eligibility
Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) Fellows will be expected to have
strong technical backgrounds and deep expertise in at least one energy technology related field.
Fellows will be recent Ph.D.’s, postdoctoral researchers and recent graduates with less than three
years of work experience (fellows have typically received their Ph.D. within the last three years,
however, in rare cases, persons working toward a Ph.D. in an energy-relevant scientific or
engineering field have been accepted). There are also positions available for Senior Fellows,
who are expected to have three or more years of relevant work experience in energy innovation
related fields. There is no citizenship requirement for this fellowship.
Eligibility
Applicants must have a PhD in an area of science or engineering and have some experience or a
demonstrated interest in an area related to science and technology policy. Masters degrees may
be considered in the fields of engineering and computer science. Candidates must be U.S.
citizens, permanent residents, or current employees of an academic or professional organization
in the United States.
Duration/Location
The appointment is for a one-year term (with a possibility of renewal) at the American Academy
of Arts and Sciences in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The American Political Science Association (APSA) Congressional Fellowship Program accepts
many categories of fellows:
1. Political Scientists: The purpose of this fellowship is to give early- to mid-career political
scientists an opportunity to learn more about Congress and the legislative process through
direct participation.
2. Communications Scholars and Journalists: The purpose of this fellowship is to give early- to
mid-career scholars and journalists an opportunity to learn more about Congress and the
legislative process through direct participation. Ideal candidates should have an analytical
interest in politics, communications, and public policy, and show promise of making a
significant contribution to the public's understanding of the political process.
3. Federal Executives
4. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellows (see below under Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellowship)
5. International Scholars
Eligibility
For the Political Scientist Program
o U.S. citizenship or permanent U.S. residency.
o A PhD completed within the last 15 years or a dissertation near completion.
o A scholarly interest in Congress and the policymaking process.
For the Communications Scholars and Journalists Program
o U.S. citizenship or permanent U.S. residency.
o A PhD completed within the last 15 years or will have defended their dissertation by
November of the fellowship year.
o Preference is given to candidates without extensive Washington experience.
Duration/Location
For nine months, select political scientists, journalists, doctors, federal executives, international
scholars, and health policy experts travel to Washington, DC to gain "hands on" understanding of
the legislative process by serving on Congressional staffs.
Eligibility
The program recruits junior, mid- and senior-level candidates with variable professional
experience and education in the field of international democracy and governance. Other
requirements are analytical skills, excellent oral and written skills and cross-cultural skills. In
addition, candidates for the Democracy Fellowships must indicate a commitment to, or promise
for, a career in the evolving and challenging field of international democracy and governance
assistance. Professional foreign language fluency may be required for some fellowships.
Duration/Location
Democracy fellowships are awarded for a one-year term, with possibilities for extension or
renewal on a yearly basis for up to four years. The Democracy Fellows Program places fellows
in USAID offices in Washington, DC and in USAID missions overseas.
Eligibility
Tenured academic scientists and engineers from U.S. institutions of higher learning.
Duration/Location
Each fellow will spend one year at the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) for an on-site assignment in Washington, DC that may also
involve extended stays at U.S. foreign embassies and/or missions.
Overview
The Leopold Leadership Program at Stanford University enables 20 academic researchers to
participate in training sessions to enhance communications skills. Media and policy specialists,
leading researchers, and business leaders participate as trainers in "hands on" sessions in which
the fellows are taught methods to engage and communicate with a variety of audiences. After
completing the two training sessions, fellows return to their home institutions, where they are
expected to engage in outreach and teach the skills they have learned to their students and
colleagues. There is no direct financial award or stipend associated with the fellowship, however,
travel expenses, accommodations and meals are provided.
Eligibility
This fellowship is aimed at academic researchers interested in public policy.
Duration/Location
The program is two weeks long and takes place in Washington, D.C.
Eligibility
Midcareer professionals from academic faculties and nonprofit health care organizations who are
interested in experiencing the health policy process at the federal level may apply. Applicants
may have backgrounds in the following disciplines: allied health professions; biomedical
sciences; dentistry; economics or other social sciences; health services organization and
administration; medicine; nursing; public health; or social and behavioral health. Applicants
must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or its territories. Potential applicants must
Duration/Location
The fellowship is a 12-month residential experience in Washington, DC (beginning in
September).