Congressional Fellowships
Are you interested in public policy issues? Please consider applying for a Congressional Fellowship. Many people are attracted to earthquake science because it benefits society, yet surprisingly few take advantage of the opportunity to make a contribution on Capitol Hill.
AAAS and the larger earth science societies (AGI, AGU, GSA) sponsor Congressional Fellowships, paying the salaries of scientists to work in Congressional offices for 12 months. Most people who work for members of Congress or Congressional Committees do not have any science background.
Science Fellows augment Congressional staffs and have a big impact in these offices. Fellows get invaluable experience in public policy in return.
In 2006 Linda Rowan, Director of Government Affairs for the American Geological Institute and an SSA member, reviewed the list of past Fellows from several earth science societies and noted few seismologists. Most focus on energy and water issues. We need more earthquake scientists to participate in this important program.
Applicants are encouraged to apply to more than one society and fellowship. Stipends, application procedures, eligibility, timetables, and deadlines vary. Fellows come from a range of sectors, including academia, industry, and non-profits, representing a spectrum of career stages, from recent PhD graduates to faculty on sabbatical, to retired scientists and engineers. The age span ranges from the twenties to early seventies.
Here are some deadlines and links:
AAAS
Apply by Mid-December*
http://fellowships.aaas.org/
* Check the AAAS website for the exact deadline date as it varies slightly from year to year.
AGI
Apply by February 1
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/csf/index.html
AGU
Apply by February 1
http://www.agu.org/sci_soc/policy/congress_fellows.html
GSA
Apply by February 1
http://www.geosociety.org/csf/scifello.htm
Please give this program serious consideration and forward this message to others who may be interested in having an impact on public policy.