Launched in 1997, the Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program is a full-time, hands-on training and educational program that provides early career individuals with the opportunity to spend 12 weeks at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 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 join a National Academies unit where they are assigned to a mentor and learn about the world of science and technology policy. An immersive experience, the goals of the Mirzayan Fellowship are to help Fellows:

• Deepen their understanding of science and technology policy;
• Discover new career paths that engage both science and policy communities;
• Understand the role that scientists and engineers play in advising the nation by working closely with a mentor within the National Academies;
• Expand their perception of how the science and technology ecosystem operates in Washington, DC by attending meetings and policy-related activities outside of the National Academies;
• Obtain essential skills and knowledge needed to work in science policy at the federal, state, or local levels; and
• Build a network of Fellows and program alumni who will stay connected with each other and with the Academies.

We are seeking early-career scientists, engineers, and medical professionals and/or late-stage graduate students with a strong interest in science and technology policy work. International students already based in the United States and individuals with under-represented backgrounds in the sciences, engineering, and medicine are encouraged to apply. We highly encourage those with strong interest but little experience in policy to apply.

Applicants will not be discriminated against based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Mirzayan Fellowship is open to applicants who meet the following criteria:

• Able to attend the full 12-week program in-person in Washington, D.C. from March 4 – May 24, 2024.
• Are one of the following:
• Current graduate, postdoctoral, or professional school student pursuing a terminal degree (e.g., Ph. D, M.D., etc.) in any discipline within the sciences, engineering, or medicine (including the social sciences);OR
• Have obtained their terminal degree or completed post-doctoral/medical doctor training within the last five (5) years in any discipline within the sciences, engineering, or medicine (including the social sciences). Note: Applicants who exceed this limit due to caregiving leave or military service can still apply.
• Are based in the United States and do not require visa sponsorship from the National Academies in order to remain in the U.S. during the program dates.

• graduate

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

Go to their website for applcation procedure.

As the centerpiece of your Fellowship experience, your program unit work will consist of a close collaboration with your assigned mentor to deepen your understanding the way your assigned unit impacts science and technology policy through their work. Your mentor will provide substantive assignments designed to provide an educational experience and opportunities to connect with committee members through meeting observation and direct introductions where possible. Examples of former Fellows' projects include:

• Outlining themes related to leading research in remote sensing applications;
• A workshop on how scientists in developing countries might take better advantage of new wireless communication networks to gain access to the Internet;
• A workshop on the ethical, legal, and societal issues associated with the emerging field of synthetic biology;
• A background paper on the state of knowledge of the demography of street-children and the cost and effectiveness of existing programs that help street-children and orphans in the U.S. and abroad;
• A concept paper exploring the status of the global research university.

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