Deadline Approaches for AIP and APS Congressional Science

A reminder to FYI readers - if you are interested in the 1994-1995 AIP and APS Congressional Science Fellowships, or know someone who might be - the deadline is approaching! All application material (letter of intent, resume of 2 pages or less, and three letters of recommendation) must be postmarked to the address provided below no later than JANUARY 15, 1994.

AIP and APS are looking for candidates who have an interest in the legislative process and the policy aspects of science. To qualify, you must have a Ph.D. in physics or a closely-related field, be a U.S. citizen, and be a member of APS or another of the AIP Member Societies. (The ten Member Societies of AIP are: The American Physical Society, the Optical Society of America, the Acoustical Society of America, the Society of Rheology, the American Association of Physics Teachers, the American Crystallographic Association, the American Astronomical Society, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, the American Vacuum Society, and the American Geophysical Union.) As stated in FYI #156 (1993), AIP and APS both sponsor Congressional Science Fellows annually. During their year on Capitol Hill, Fellows work as special legislative assistants in the office of a Member of Congress or on the staff of a congressional committee, where their techical background and scientific expertise contribute to the analysis of policy issues.

Approximately 20 professional societies sponsor Congressional Science Fellows under the auspices of a program run by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS.) APS has belonged to the program since its beginning in 1973, while AIP started its sponsorship of Fellows in 1988. In addition, two other AIP Member Societies, the American Geophysical Union and the Acoustical Society of America, have also participated in the program. The continual presence of Science Fellows on the Hill keeps lawmakers apprised of the interests and contributions of scientists. Although Fellows receive a stipend from their sponsoring institution, they act as free agents during their term and do not represent their society.

According to AAAS, many former Fellows hold prominent positions in the Administration and on congressional staff. The program has been praised by numerous influential Members of Congress, including House science committee chairman George Brown (D-California), Senate Minority Leader Robert Dole (R-Kansas), and Senators John Glenn (D-Ohio), Edward Kennedy (D-Massachusetts), Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico) and Strom Thurmond (R-South Carolina.)

For more information, please call AIP program administrator Audrey Leath at (301) 209-3094. Application materials should be sent to: APS/AIP Congressional Science Fellowship Programs; 529 14th Street, NW; Suite 1050; Washington, DC, 20045. One application suffices for both Fellowship programs.