The Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program, now in its 20th year, provides early career individuals with the opportunity to spend 12 weeks at the Academies in Washington, DC learning about science and technology policy and the role that scientists and engineers play in advising the nation.

Each year, applicants from around the world become part of an Academies' committee, board, or unit where they are assigned to a mentor and learn about the world of science and technology policy.  An immersive experience, the program is designed to broaden fellows’ appreciation of employment opportunities outside academia and leave them with both a firm grasp of the important and dynamic role of science and technology in decision-making and a better understanding of the role that they can play in strengthening the science and technology enterprise for the betterment of mankind.

The Program provides Fellows with the opportunity to spend 12 weeks at the National Academies in Washington, DC learning about science and technology policy and the role that the scientific, engineering, and medical communities play in advising the nation.

Graduate and professional school students and those who have completed graduate studies within the last five years may apply. Areas of study may include social/behavioral sciences, health and medicine, physical or biological sciences, engineering, law/business/public administration, or relevant interdisciplinary fields. 

The program is open to US citizens, US permanent residents, and non-US citizens who hold one of the following visas:  

- F-1 students using CPT (curricular practical training)
- F-1 students using OPT (optional practical training)
- J-2 dependents
- J-1 students using academic training
- J-1 research scholars with written approval of their Responsible Officer
- DACA recipients
- Adjustment applicants, refugees, asylees, and selected other visa classes

Graduate and professional school students and those who have completed graduate studies within the last five years are eligible to apply. Areas of study may include social/behavioral sciences, health and medicine, physical or biological sciences, engineering, law/business/public administration, or relevant interdisciplinary fields

• graduate

• US Citizen
• Permanent Resident
• International or Other Visa Status
• Undocumented

1. Review your eligibility. This is an early career fellowship program.  Graduate and professional school students and those who have completed graduate studies (degree awarded) within the last five years may apply.  Areas of study may include social/behavioral sciences, health and medicine, physical or biological sciences, engineering, law/business/public administration, or relevant interdisciplinary fields. Learn more about eligibility.

2. Review the Prospective Units page. Click on unit links to find activities that interest you. Consider e-mailing unit staff to gauge their interest in hosting a fellow.

3. Fill out the application form.

4. Notify Referees.  TWO references are required.  These must be relevant to your academic, professional, volunteer, or other related experience.  Towards the beginning of the application form, you will be asked to provide an email address for each referee.  Complete this section right away to ensure that your referees have adequate time to submit their reference before the application deadline. Mailed reference letters will NOT be accepted.

IMPORTANT:

Please alert your referees that they will receive an automated "Information Request" email from Scholar Select/Mirzayan S&T Policy Fellowship Program. This email will contain a unique link to a recommendation form to be filled on your behalf.  An email confirmation will be sent to you when a reference has been received. 

To ensure delivery of the recommendation request, you may wish to ask your referees to add policyfellows@nas.edu to their contacts, email address book, or safe senders list.

5. Review all sections of the application prior to submission.

6. Submit application by September 7.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

• This is NOT a scholarship. This program is NOT employment, does NOT fund research, research-related activities, award scholarships, or provide financial aid assistance of any kind. A stipend is provided to offset living expenses during the fellowship period.
   
• Eligibility. Graduate and professional school students and those who have completed graduate studies (degree awarded) within the last five years may apply. Areas of study may include social/behavioral sciences, health and medicine, physical or biological sciences, engineering, law/business/public administration, or relevant interdisciplinary fields. Learn more about eligibility.
   
• Reference Requirements. TWO online references must be received prior to application submission. You will NOT be able to submit your application until BOTH references have been received. References must be relevant to your academic, professional, volunteer or other related experience.
   
• Even if you have applied for a fellowship in the past, you MUST complete a new application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Application materials do not carry over from session to session.  

• The 2018 session of the Mirzayan Fellowship will begin on January 16 and conclude on April 6.

Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program
500 5th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-334-2455
Email: policyfellows@nas.edu