Fellowships
Interested in trying your hand at science policy? Environmental advocacy? Communication? Check out our list of fellowships for graduate students below. If you know of a great program that is not listed below please email us!
Science Policy
Selected fellows complete a one-year tenure (from February to January of the following year) within various executive and legislative federal government offices, such as NOAA, the Department of State, and Congress. The Joint Program has a very good track record of sending student through this program. If you are interested reach out to APO so they can connect you with a JP/Knauss Fellow alum.
Similar to the Knauss Fellowship, selected fellows serve a one-year term (September to August) within various government agencies, including the judicial branch. Only open to US Citizens. Must have a Ph.D. (or a Masters degree with 3+ years of experience) by the application deadline on November 1st.
Administered through the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine fellows spend 12 weeks at the Academies' headquarters in Washington, DC. Fellows are assigned to different science and technology research topics and present their group's findings at the end of the fellowship.
The California Council on Science & Technology (CCST) is currently accepting applications for the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship. The Fellowship is open to those holding or will receive a PhD in science, engineering, or social science fields such as economics, sociology, or psychology by September 2021. CCST Science Fellows spend one year in Sacramento, directly serving policymakers within the California State Legislature and state agencies Working as staff in the State Assembly, State Senate, or in a state agency, CCST Science Fellows work alongside decision makers to evaluate complex scientific issues, interpret data, while tackling the responsibilities of full-time staffers. They get a front-row seat learning about the craft and process of decision making in the State of California — a dynamic arena that often sets policy trends for the United States and the world. Applications close on March 1, 2021. For more information visit https://ccst.us/ccst-science-fellows-program/.
The Gulf Research Program’s Science Policy Fellowship program helps scientists hone their skills by putting them to practice for the benefit of Gulf Coast communities and ecosystems. Fellows gain first-hand experience as they spend one year on the staff of federal, state, local, or non-governmental environmental, natural resource, oil and gas, and public health agencies in the Gulf of Mexico region.
Environmental Policy and Stewardship
A special category of AAAS's Science and Technology Policy Fellowship, the Revelle Fellowship is designated for more advanced applicants (at least 3 years of work experience after a Ph.D.). It is offered every four years (next cycle in 2020). The fellow's role is to help their host office better incorporate scientific and technical knowledge into environmental policy.
Operated through NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserves, this two-year fellowship program provides the opportunity for graduate students to conduct collaborative research at one of the 30 national estuarine research reserves. Through a research project, fellows address a key reserve management need to help scientists and communities understand coastal challenges that may influence future policy and management strategies.
This fellowship is a partnership between AAAS and the National Park Service. Fellows develop a research project at a national park and are also charged with broadening public understanding of the importance of national parks in advancing conservation and science.
Science Communication
Fellows are placed in media outlets across the country for a 10-week summer session, during which they help research, write, and report science news stories. AAAS also offers a Spanish Mass Media Fellowship which matches fellows to a Spanish language media outlet, as well as a Minority Science Writers program for Science magazine.