ABOUT
THE PROGRAM
THE PROGRAM
The
Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program,
now in its 18th year, is a full-time hands-on training and educational program
that provides early career individuals with the opportunity to spend 12 weeks
at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Washington,
DC learning about science and techn
Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program,
now in its 18th year, is a full-time hands-on training and educational program
that provides early career individuals with the opportunity to spend 12 weeks
at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Washington,
DC learning about science and techn
ology policy and the role that scientists
and engineers play in advising the nation.
Each
year, applicants from around the world become part of an Academies’ committee, board, or unit where
they are assigned to a mentor and learn about the world of science and
technology policy. An immersive experience, the program is designed to
broaden fellows’ appreciation of employment opportunities outside academia and
leave them with both a firm grasp of the important and dynamic role of science
and technology in decision-making and a better understanding of the role
that they can play in strengthening the science and technology enterprise for
the betterment of mankind.
year, applicants from around the world become part of an Academies’ committee, board, or unit where
they are assigned to a mentor and learn about the world of science and
technology policy. An immersive experience, the program is designed to
broaden fellows’ appreciation of employment opportunities outside academia and
leave them with both a firm grasp of the important and dynamic role of science
and technology in decision-making and a better understanding of the role
that they can play in strengthening the science and technology enterprise for
the betterment of mankind.
Alumni
of the program hold positions in Congressional committees such as the House
Science and Technology Committee and at federal agencies such as the U.S.
Department of State, National Institutes of Health, National Science
Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency, United States Agency for
International Development, Department of Defense, and Department of Energy.
They also work in foreign governments, in international institutions such as
the European Union and World Bank, in universities, and in the private sector.
of the program hold positions in Congressional committees such as the House
Science and Technology Committee and at federal agencies such as the U.S.
Department of State, National Institutes of Health, National Science
Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency, United States Agency for
International Development, Department of Defense, and Department of Energy.
They also work in foreign governments, in international institutions such as
the European Union and World Bank, in universities, and in the private sector.
Purpose
of the Program
of the Program
The
fellowship program, which operates under the auspices of the Policy and Global Affairs Division, a program unit
within the Academies, is designed to engage early career professionals in
the analytical processes that inform U.S. science and technology policy.
Fellows obtain the essential skills and knowledge needed to work in science
policy at the federal, state, or local levels.
fellowship program, which operates under the auspices of the Policy and Global Affairs Division, a program unit
within the Academies, is designed to engage early career professionals in
the analytical processes that inform U.S. science and technology policy.
Fellows obtain the essential skills and knowledge needed to work in science
policy at the federal, state, or local levels.
What
to Expect
to Expect
During
the program, fellows engage in studies and activities throughout the Academies.
Examples of former fellows’ projects include:
the program, fellows engage in studies and activities throughout the Academies.
Examples of former fellows’ projects include:
- Outlining
themes related to leading research in remote sensing applications;
- A
workshop on how scientists in developing countries might take better
advantage of new wireless communication networks to gain access to the
Internet;
- A
workshop on the ethical, legal, and societal issues associated with the
emerging field of synthetic biology;
- A
background paper on the state of knowledge of the demography of
street-children and the cost and effectiveness of existing programs that
help street-children and orphans in the U.S. and abroad;
- A
concept paper exploring the status of the global research university.
Each
fellow is assigned to a senior staff member who acts as his or her mentor. The
mentor provides guidance and ensures that the fellow’s time is focused on
substantive projects and activities within the fellow’s assigned unit.
fellow is assigned to a senior staff member who acts as his or her mentor. The
mentor provides guidance and ensures that the fellow’s time is focused on
substantive projects and activities within the fellow’s assigned unit.
During
the first week of the fellowship program, fellows spend their mornings learning
about how the Academies operate and gaining an understanding of the
fundamentals of science and technology policy. Fellows receive briefings from
representatives of other organizations in Washington, DC that influence,
make, or report on science and technology policy.
the first week of the fellowship program, fellows spend their mornings learning
about how the Academies operate and gaining an understanding of the
fundamentals of science and technology policy. Fellows receive briefings from
representatives of other organizations in Washington, DC that influence,
make, or report on science and technology policy.
Throughout
the fellowship program, fellows are assigned to small groups that research
specific science and technology policy topics. Each group presents their findings
to the full fellowship class. Through this exercise, fellows gain a
better understanding of committee dynamics in an environment that is similar to
that of the Academies’ committees. In the process, fellows gain
insights into the challenges inherent in arranging presentations of the type
that would be made before a congressional or Academies’ committee.
the fellowship program, fellows are assigned to small groups that research
specific science and technology policy topics. Each group presents their findings
to the full fellowship class. Through this exercise, fellows gain a
better understanding of committee dynamics in an environment that is similar to
that of the Academies’ committees. In the process, fellows gain
insights into the challenges inherent in arranging presentations of the type
that would be made before a congressional or Academies’ committee.
During
the fellowship period, fellows have lunch with each of the Academies’
Presidents. They may also attend additional briefings both within and outside
the Institution. Fellows are strongly encouraged to independently seek
other activities outside the Academies to include congressional hearings,
seminars at think tanks, and briefings at federal agencies. In addition,
fellows attend a reception for current and former fellows. This event
provides a unique opportunity to network and learn about potential career
options in science and technology policy.
the fellowship period, fellows have lunch with each of the Academies’
Presidents. They may also attend additional briefings both within and outside
the Institution. Fellows are strongly encouraged to independently seek
other activities outside the Academies to include congressional hearings,
seminars at think tanks, and briefings at federal agencies. In addition,
fellows attend a reception for current and former fellows. This event
provides a unique opportunity to network and learn about potential career
options in science and technology policy.
Apply here
http://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/policyfellows/PGA_044687
