General Information

The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship Program invites recent college and graduate school alumni to apply for full-time, six-to-nine month fellowships in Washington, DC. Outstanding individuals will be selected to work with nonprofit, public-interest organizations addressing peace and security issues. Applications are especially encouraged from candidates with a strong interest in these issues who have prior experience with public-interest activism or advocacy.

Program and Purpose

Scoville Fellows will choose to work with one of the twenty-six organizations participating in the program. With the assistance of the program director, Fellows will select a placement which best matches their interests and the needs of the host organization. Participating organizations provide office space and support, supervision and guidance for Fellows’ work. With the exception of Congressional lobbying, Fellows may undertake a variety of activities, including research, writing, and organizing that support the goals of their host organization.

The purpose of the fellowship is to provide an opportunity for college graduates to gain practical knowledge and experience by contributing to the efforts of nonprofit, public-interest organizations working on peace and security issues.

Salary and Benefits

Fellows receive a salary of $3,400 per month and health insurance, plus travel expenses to Washington, DC. The program also provide $1,000 per fellow for professional development to attend relevant conferences or meetings that could cover travel, accommodations, and registration fees.

Some lenders may permit Scoville Fellows to defer college loan payments during their fellowship. Check with your individual lenders.

Issue Areas Covered by the Scoville Fellowship 

• Arms Control/Disarmament/Non-Proliferation – nuclear, biological, chemical and conventional
• Conflict Prevention/Resolution
• Defense Budget
• Dismantling Chemical and Nuclear Weapons
• Environmental and Energy Security, including the nexus of climate change and energy use,  conflict and resource scarcity
• Environmental Impact/Cleanup of Nuclear Weapons Production Complex
• Export Controls
• International Security
• Peacebuilding and peacekeeping
• Regional/Ethnic Conflicts
• Terrorism prevention, including biological and nuclear

Applicants whose area of interest falls outside of the above list are unlikely to be selected as a Scoville Fellow.

Selection Criteria

This is a highly competitive fellowship designed for people who have already demonstrated a strong interest in the field, and not intended for those who want to try a semester in Washington. Successful candidates must be good writers who are adept at working in a fast paced office environment. We are seeking people considering a career working on international peace and security issues with public-interest organizations, the Federal Government, academia, or media.

Prospective Fellows are expected to demonstrate excellent academic accomplishments and a strong interest in issues of peace and security. Graduate study, a college major, course work, or substantial independent reading that reflects the substantive focus of the fellowship is also a plus. Prior experience with public-interest activism or advocacy is highly desirable. It is preferred, but not required, that such activities be focused on peace and security issues.

Experience with public-interest activism or advocacy such as

Organizing a campus forum and/or outreach campaign, meeting with decisionmakers, or rallies
Working with or joining a campus, local, or national organization
Active participation in conferences
Writing and publication of opinion pieces in both traditional and new media

Candidates are required to have completed a baccalaureate degree by the time the fellowship commences. Preference is given to United States citizens, although a fellowship to a foreign national residing in the U.S. is awarded periodically. Non-U.S. citizens living outside the United States are not eligible to apply. The Scoville Fellowship is not intended for students or scholars interested in pursuing independent research in Washington, DC.

Preference will be given to individuals who have not had substantial prior public-interest or government experience in the Washington, DC area.

Candidates are required to have completed a baccalaureate degree by the time the fellowship commences. Preference is given to United States citizens, although a fellowship to a foreign national residing in the U.S. is awarded periodically. Non-U.S. citizens living outside the United States are not eligible to apply. The Scoville Fellowship is not intended for students or scholars interested in pursuing independent research in Washington, DC.

Preference will be given to individuals who have not had substantial prior public-interest or government experience in the Washington, DC area.

• senior
• graduate

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

See detailed application process and procedures at: https://scoville.org/overview/how-to-apply/ 

The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship was established in 1987 to recruit and train the next generation of policy and advocacy leaders on a range of international peace and security issues by providing recent college graduates with an opportunity to work with one of the participating public-interest organizations in Washington, DC.  The fellowship bridges the gap between academia and the working world by providing an entree to socially-conscious people eager to learn about and contribute to the world of public-interest organizations.

The fellowship is named for Dr. Herbert (Pete) Scoville, Jr., a Ph.D. in physical chemistry and a long-time nuclear arms control activist in both government and private life who encouraged young people to become involved in arms control and related topics.

The Scoville Fellowship has a proven track record of attracting talented people with strong academic and advocacy backgrounds in international security issues.  Scoville Fellows contribute to the work of their host organizations by research and writing, arranging conferences and policy briefings, and encouraging advocacy activities.  A large number of former Scoville Fellows continue to work for public-interest organizations or government on arms control and peace issues, or are attending graduate programs in international relations.

info@scoville.org

(202) 446-1565

Scoville Peace Fellowship

820 1st Street,

NE Suite LL-180

Washington, DC 20002