SCIENCE POLICY AND COMMUNICATION AWARDS
AGU Congressional Science Fellow
Career Stage
All
Award Type
Science Policy and Communication
Of Note
Application process
Submission Window
15 October - 15 January
Established 1977

Embedding Scientists in the Federal Legislative Process

The AGU Congressional Science Fellowship program places highly qualified and accomplished scientists, engineers, and other professionals in the office of an individual member of Congress or on a committee for a one-year assignment.

The program allows our federal government to more effectively use scientific knowledge and provides scientists with the opportunity to make significant contributions to public policy during their time on Capitol Hill.

For four decades, AGU Congressional Science Fellows (CSFs) have been directly involved in water policy, climate research, energy conservation, and a range of other science-based issues. AGU CSFs have gone on to pursue a wide range of careers from positions in government, both in Congress and at federal agencies, to research positions at academic institutions.

Past Fellows have performed every type of work normally asked of permanent congressional staff, whether they are in personal offices or with committees. Activities may range from assisting in the preparation of major parts of authorization bills, writing press releases or speeches for members of Congress on a wide range of topics, answering constituent mail, preparing members of Congress for legislative debates on the floors of the House and the Senate, or meeting with lobbyists, special interest groups or agency representatives.

Fellows also write short articles or share their experiences in other formats throughout their fellowship year, for use in various AGU communication vehicles.

Compensation
AGU Fellows receive:

  • A monthly stipend for 12 months
  • Allowances for moving expenses incurred during relocation
  • Allowances for appropriate work-related vouchered travel expenses
    incurred during the fellowship year and for travel to the AGU Annual Meeting
  • Registration to AGU's annual meeting during the fellowship year
  • Health care coverage reimbursed by AGU

Preferred Experience

Applicants are evaluated on the following:
POLICY

Applicants are not required to have experience in public policy, although such experience and/or a demonstrable interest in applying science to the solution of public problems is desirable.

SCIENCE

Prospective Fellows should have a broad background in science. In their assignment, Fellows will be doing a variety of work, some of which may be directly related to their training, but all of which will put demands on their scientific education.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Fellows should be articulate, strong communicators, flexible, and able to work on a variety of public policy problems with people from diverse professional backgrounds.

Eligibility

The applicant must be:
  • an active AGU member
  • a U.S. citizen or permanent resident eligible to work in the United States, or have an applicable US work visa
Additionally:
  • Though the program is aimed at geoscientists with a doctorate degree, there are no restrictions on age, educational, career level, or specific scientific background
  • Ph.D. candidates must have completed their degree work prior to the start of the fellowship term
  • The committee seeks to recruit a diverse applicant pool for the fellowship. Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply