Science Policy
Science Policy
Science policy is usually considered the art of justifying, managing or prioritizing support of scientific research and development. It has three major venues: educational institutions, governments, and philanthropic organizations. Scientific societies, international organizations, charities, lobby groups, government bodies, industry and non-governmental organizations all need specialists working on science policy.
Gaining Experience for a Science Policy Position
Volunteer to chair a committee or take a leadership role within a committee. Committees that involve policy like the Postdoctoral association or the Graduate Student Professional Organization are excellent options. Any experiences that demonstrates your ability to work effectively with committee members to create change or implement programs or activities are positive additions to your resume.
- Volunteer for a public official or an organization involved in science policy.
- Find a posdoc at NIH where you will be near opportunities to gain experience in science policy in Washington DC.
Take advantage of trainee opportunities on campus for career exploration during doctoral and post-doctoral training.
Science Policy and Advocacy Group
Join SPAG, the UNC Career Cohort for trainees interested in science policy careers. Attend club meetings and events such as “Science Policy 101.”
UNC-TIBBS Science Policy Series
Attend on campus events such as UNC-TIBBS Science Policy Series to gain exposure to science policy fundamentals, current issues, and professional development. Past seminar topics have included: Policy 101, Informal Science Communication, Science for Policy–Communicating Science to Policymakers, Policy for Science–Leveraging STEM Investments for Maximum Impact, Technology Transfer, Advocacy–Making the Case for Science, and the Science of Science Policy: SciSP. Past interactive workshops topics have included: How to get a job–Professional opportunities & fellowships in Science Policy, Blogging Like a Pro, Making the Connection–Writing the White Paper, and Mastering your elevator pitch.
Emerging Leaders in Science and Society (ELISS)
An interdisciplinary 15-month extracurricular program offered through AAAS along with partner campuses including UNC, Emerging Leaders in Science & Society is a leadership development program for graduate students from all fields who are eager to collaborate across boundaries for the benefit of society.
Fellowships
One option for a PhD to transition into a career in science policy is to apply for a fellowship.
AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships
The Fellowships help to establish and nurture critical links between federal decision-makers and scientific professionals to support public policy that benefits the wellbeing of the nation and the planet. The Fellowships are designed to do the following:
- educate scientists and engineers on the intricacies of federal policymaking;
- provide scientific expertise and analysis to support decision-makers confronting increasingly complex scientific and technical issues;
- foster positive exchange between scientists and policymakers;
- empower scientists and engineers to conduct policy-relevant research that addresses challenges facing society; and
- increase the involvement and visibility of scientists and engineers in the public policy realm.
The AAAS S&T Policy Fellowships support the AAAS objectives to improve public policymaking through the infusion of science, and to increase public understanding of science and technology and are part of AAAS Center of Science, Policy, and Society Programs. (AAAS also maintains a list of other fellowships and internships).
The Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program
The Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program within the Policy and Global Affairs Division of the National Academies is designed to engage graduate science, engineering, medical, veterinary, business, and law students in the analysis that informs the creation of science and technology policy and to familiarize them with the interactions of science, technology, and government.
ASHG/NHGRI Genetics & Public Policy Fellowship
The ASHG/NHGRI Genetics & Public Policy Fellowship overview is posted on NHGRI’s site. The application is posted yearly via a link to ASHG around January/February. In the past, the deadline has been in April. This is a 16-month fellowship.This is a fellowship program designed for genetics professionals with an advanced degree who are early in their careers and interested in the development and implementation of genetics health and research policies at the national level. The fellow will have the opportunity to participate in policy analysis at the NHGRI and the ASHG and to work directly with the U.S. Congress.
American Society for Microbiology Congressional Science Fellowship
The ASM Congressional Science Fellowship program selects a postdoctoral to mid-career microbiologist to spend one year on the staff of an individual congressman, congressional committee or with some other appropriate organizational unit of Congress. The purpose of the program is to make practical contributions to more effective use of scientific knowledge in government, to educate the scientific communities regarding public policy and to broaden the perspective of both the scientific and governmental communities regarding the value of such science-government interaction. Applicants must be citizens of the United States and a member of the ASM for at least one year. The award will include a $50,000 stipend plus health care supported by the Martin Frobisher Fund.
White House Fellows Program
The White House Fellow Program is designed to bring individuals of exceptionally high promise to Washington for one year of personal involvement in the process of government.
Presidential Management Fellows Program
The purpose of the PMF Program is to attract to the Federal service outstanding men and women from a variety of academic disciplines and career paths who have a clear interest in, and commitment to, excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs (currently, scientists can apply for a special PMF STEM track).
American Psychological Association
APA Congressional Fellows spend one year working as a special legislative assistant on the staff of a member of Congress or congressional committee. Activities may involve conducting legislative or oversight work, assisting in congressional hearings and debates, and preparing briefs and writing speeches. Fellows also attend an eight-day orientation program on congressional and executive branch operations, which includes guidance in the congressional placement process and a year-long seminar series on science and public policy issues. These aspects of the program are administered by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for the APA Fellows and those sponsored by over two dozen other professional societies.
Belfer Center Science, Technology and Public Policy
The STPP Program offers fellowships for pre-doctoral, post-doctoral, and mid-career researchers for one year, with a possibility for renewal, in the stimulating environment of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
ACS Public Policy Fellowships
ACS is seeking applicants from among experienced chemical professionals for Congressional and Science Policy Fellowships. Each Program allows the fellow to gain experience and insights into the working of the policy process and the role that science plays in government decisions about a wide range of issues. The fellows also have the opportunity to apply their technical expertise to real-life policy decisions. Fellows bring a unique perspective to Washington, D.C., and work closely with fellows from other science and engineering organizations to leverage their impact throughout the government.
The experience provides a window on the federal research budget process, regulatory issues, and interplay between science and decision-making. Applicants interested in a sabbatical experience, learning more to enhance their current careers and those who wish to establish a career in science-related policy all are encouraged to apply.
Robert Wood Johnson Health and Society Scholars Program
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Scholars program is designed to build the nation’s capacity for research, leadership and policy change to address the multiple determinants of population health.
The program enables up to 12 outstanding individuals who have completed their doctoral training to engage in an intensive two-year program at one of four nationally prominent universities.
Coalition for the Life Sciences (formerly, Joint Steering Committee for Public Policy)
Learn how to be an advocate for the life sciences though CLS Advocacy & Public Policy. Join the CLS mailing list for info on how to interact with your congressperson as well as updates on legislative action, and announcements of Capitol Hill Days, a 1-day event held in DC.
ASCB Public Policy Committee
Looking for advocacy opportunities through ASCB? If you are looking to stay in science but would like to have a hand in policy, try contacting members of the public policy committee for advice and career path suggestions.
ASCB Project 50
ASCB Project 50 is an ASCB initiative to find at least one representative for each US state.
David A. Winston Health Policy Fellowship
The David A. Winston Health Policy Fellowship is a distinguished postgraduate fellowship in health policy. The Fellowship was established in 1987 to commemorate the contributions and personal commitment of David A. Winston who, for twenty years, played a significant role in shaping American health policy at both the state and federal levels.
The object of the Fellowship is to provide a unique opportunity for promising students to learn about the political system through direct exposure to the roles of both the public and private sectors in health policy development. The Fellowship provides a monthly stipend and related expenses for a twelve-month period from July to June. The Fellowship is a unique opportunity because the program includes systematic exposure to organizations, associations and coalitions in the private sector as well as policy development centers in Congress and the Administration. A distinguished Fellowship Board has the responsibility of helping assure the quality of the experience.
The Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation
The Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation has a number of resources available for those interested in science policy. This includes information about fellowships, some of which are highlighted below.
The Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program is a summer program that brings talented young adults to Washington, D.C., where they are placed in congressional offices to learn first-hand about health policy and the legislative process, and to learn about issues affecting racial and ethnic minority and underserved communities.
The Kaiser Family Foundation also lists a number of media fellowships. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of all fellowships and internships merging science and policy.
Ways to Network – The Key to Career Transition
AAAS Leadership Seminar in Science and Technology
The AAAS Leadership Seminar in Science and Technology Policy is a ‘crash course’ in science and technology (S ) policy, designed for those who need to know how S policy works. It is modeled after the highly acclaimed orientation program that AAAS provides for its new S Policy Fellows each fall, but distills the key material into 4 1/2 days instead of two weeks.”
Reach Out to Science Policy Fellows and Professionals
NIH tracks and maintains a list of previous AAAS-NIH science policy fellows. You can contact fellows in your area of interest, conduct informational interviews, gain advice and start your network.
NIH Office of Science Policy site has numerous resources and contacts.
Join the TIBBS LinkedIn Science Policy Network to meet UNC trainees interested in science policy, and connect with speakers who have presented at UNC.
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