AIP/APS Congressional Science Fellowship Deadline Approaching

Scientists with an interest in policy, take note! There is now less than one month before the application deadline for the AIP and APS 2000-2001 Congressional Science Fellowships. For those PhD scientists who want to apply their knowledge and skills beyond the lab bench, who believe there is a need for technical advice and analysis in the conduct of national policy, this is an opportunity to make a difference.

As a public service, the American Institute of Physics and the American Physical Society programs are intended to sponsor at least one Fellow annually to work as a legislative assistant in the office of a Member of Congress or on a congressional committee. The programs serve two purposes: scientists learn about the legislative process and how to interact with - and influence - those who make the nation’s laws, while their training and expertise enable them to contribute to policy matters with a science or technology component.

Members of Congress praise the program and express a need for more scientific advice and input. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) in particular has described how Members often feel intimidated by scientific matters. He has frequently called on scientists to participate in the Fellowship programs to provide much-needed expertise. Many policymakers and government officials, such as Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-MI) and Presidential Science Advisor Neal Lane, repeatedly urge scientists to exercise their citizenship rights and responsibilities and make their views known to legislators. As Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) commented recently, programs like the Fellowships teach scientists how to “help shape policy in the right way.”

TO APPLY for the AIP and APS Congressional Science Fellowship Programs: APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY JANUARY 15, 2000. Applicants must submit a letter of intent, resume of two pages, and arrange for three letters of recommendation to be submitted to the following address: APS and AIP Congressional Science Fellowship Programs, c/o Erika Ridgway, APS Executive Office, One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740-3844.

Applicants must have a PhD in physics or a closely-related field. In exceptional cases, the PhD requirement may be waived. Applicants must also be US citizens and members of APS (for the APS Fellowship) or another of the ten AIP Member Societies. One application will suffice for both programs.

For additional information on the programs, stipends, benefits, and application materials, please see our websites at: http://www.aip.org/pubinfo/ or http://www.aps.org/public_affairs/fellow.html

Two other AIP Member Societies also sponsor Fellowship programs. For information on the American Geophysical Union Fellowship, see the AGU web site at http://www.agu.org/sci_soc/policy/congress_fellow.html or for information on the programs of the Optical Society of America, see http://www.osa.org/aboutosa/policy/news/intro.htm