Congressional Science Fellowship
For over 30 years, AGU has sponsored a Congressional Science Fellow to help bring sound scientific information to the U.S. Congress. The Fellow works for one year in a legislator's office or on a committee staff. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
Purpose
The demands on Congress to establish sound public policy on scientific issues have never been greater. The effects of these decisions on society and on scientists are far-reaching. In recognition of these facts, AGU is pleased to sponsor, for the thirty-first year, the AGU Congressional Science Fellowship program. The Fellowship program broadens the perspective of both the scientific and governmental communities regarding the value of science-government interaction, enables more effective use in government of scientific knowledge, and provides a unique experience to scientists seeking careers involving public use of technical information.
The Congressional Science Fellowship program places highly qualified, accomplished scientists, engineers, and other professionals with the offices of individual Members of Congress and committees for a one-year assignment.
Fellows perform as regular staff members. In the past they have performed every type of work normally asked of the permanent staff, whether they are in individual offices or with committees. Activities may range from assisting in the preparation of major parts of budget authorization bills, writing press releases or speeches for Members on a wide range of topics, answering constituent mail, assisting in legislative debates on the floors of the House and the Senate, or meeting with lobbyists, special interest groups or agency representatives.
The AGU Fellow will have the opportunity to participate in and make significant contributions to public policy making within the Congress. Past Fellows have been directly involved in water policy, climate research, energy conservation and a range of other problems that are of high priority to society.
Fellows are requested to write at least four short articles about their experiences on the Hill throughout their Fellowship year and submit them for publication in Eos.
Term, Stipend, and Administration
Fellowships are for one year. The Fellowship year for most Fellows usually begins the Wednesday after Labor Day with an intensive two week orientation program organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The orientation program provides exposure to various aspects of the legislative process, to pertinent issues before Congress, and to many agencies and organizations interacting with Congress at various levels. Following orientation, the Fellow will select a position in the House or Senate.
The AGU Fellowship carries with it a stipend of up to $60,000 for 12 months, plus allowances of $2,000 for vouchered travel and moving expenses incurred during relocation, $2,000 for appropriate vouchered travel expenses incurred during the fellowship year and $1,000 for travel to AGU meetings. Health care coverage is provided by AGU.
Although AAAS coordinates the entire Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship Program on behalf of the scientific, engineering and professional organizations participating in the program, each organization selects, sponsors and supports its own Fellow(s). The AGU Fellow’s stipend is paid by AGU. The stipend level and selection criteria are established by AGU. The selection process is highly competitive. The Committee on Public Affairs reviews applications and interviews finalists before making its selection.
Selection Criteria
All members of AGU who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States are invited to apply for the fellowship. Though the program is aimed at early to mid-career geophysicists with a doctorate degree, there are no absolute restrictions on age, educational or career level, or specific scientific background.
Applicants are not required to have experience in public policy, although such experience and/or a demonstrable interest in applying science to the solution of public problems are desirable. In their assignment, Fellows will be doing a variety of work, some of which may be directly related to their training, but all of which will put demands on their scientific education. For this reason it is very important that prospective Fellows have a broad background in science. In addition, they are expected to be articulate, literate, flexible, and able to work on a variety of public policy problems with people from diverse professional backgrounds.
Ph.D. candidates should be absolutely sure that work on their degree will be completed prior to the commencement of the program year since experience has shown that fellows do not have time to work on their thesis. Degree candidates should include among their references a letter from their adviser stating the status of their thesis and the anticipated date of completion.
Candidates must be members of or applying for membership in AGU.
Application
An online application form is now available.
In addition to th eonline application, interested candidates should submit a letter of intent, a curriculum vitae (including publications), and three letters of recommendation. All credentials must be received no later than 1 February 2009. Incomplete applications cannot be considered.
LETTER OF INTENT, including:
- a statement of why the fellowship is desired,
- how the candidate is qualified for it,
- what issues and congressional situations interest the candidate,
- what role the candidate envisions as a Congressional Science Fellow and,
- what outcome the candidate hopes for in relation to career goals.
CURRICULUM VITAE detailing personal and professional data, including a publications appendix.
THREE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION should be from individuals who are able to discuss not only the candidate’s professional competence, but also other aspects of his or her background that would make the candidate particularly qualified to serve as a Congressional Science Fellow. Letters of recommendation should be sent directly to AGU by the writer.
It is the candidate’s responsibility to make sure all application materials arrive at AGU by the deadline, 1 February 2009. AGU will not notify individuals of incomplete applications.
Other Fellowship Opportunities
AGU members are also eligible to apply to the American Geological Institute and American Institute of Physics Congressional Science Fellowships programs.
