Author: Rad Byerly

CHRISTINE MIRZAYAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM, WASHINGTON, D.C. This Graduate Fellowship Program of the National Academies-consisting of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council-is designed to engage graduate and postdoctoral students in science and technology policy and to familiarize them with the interactions among science, technology, and government. As a result, students in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, veterinary medicine, business, and law develop essential skills different from those attained in academia, which will help them make the transition from being a graduate student to a professional. We are pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for our 2005 program. This year, the program will comprise three, ten-week sessions:

Winter: January 10 through March 18
Summer: June 6 through August 12
Fall: September 12 through November 18

To apply, candidates should submit an application and request that a mentor fill out a reference form. Both forms are available on the Web. The deadline for applications is November 1 for the Winter program, March 1 for the Summer program, and June 1 for the Fall program. Candidates may apply to all three programs concurrently. Additional details about the program and how to join our mailing list are also available on the Web site. Questions should be directed to: policyfellows@nas.edu.

Here is what four alumni said about the program:

“This program will open your mind to a world rarely envisioned from the confines of laboratory bench work. I learned an immeasurable amount about the policy and politics behind science and after the program opens your mind, it opens career doors.”

“A really great experience for those from the “soft sciences” who have an interest in S&T policy or if you’re trying to figure out what else you might want to do outside of academia. This was a great opportunity to bridge the gap and gain a new understanding and appreciation for how it all works, the people involved, and the profound difference it can make in the end (and all long the way).”

“I had no idea that this experience would affect me in the way that it has. This program has revitalized my love for science, given me a perspective from a new environment, raised my awareness of important policy issues, allowed me to network with colleagues, and, for the first time in a long while, made me look forward to going to work every day. I highly recommend this program.”

“This program provides an amazing opportunity to learn about science and policy and, in particular, the role of the National Academies in contributing to science policy. If you are in graduate school in the sciences and have an interest in science and policy, you don’t have to wait until you’ve got your degree to see what it would be like to work in DC. The program can inform your graduate education and help you to think “outs ide the box” in terms of potential careers.”