Science and Technology Policy Fellowship at Aspen Policy Academy – Summer 2025

The Science and Technology Policy Fellowship offers a singular alternative for science, local weather, and tech consultants to achieve firsthand expertise within the policymaking course of. Fellows will take part in a complete coverage bootcamp and have the choice to work on a distant remaining undertaking that straight influences real-world coverage.

Program Overview

This full-time, in-person Fellowship program will happen at Tides Converge in San Francisco. Fellows will bear a rigorous, action-oriented coverage bootcamp adopted by an non-compulsory, distant remaining undertaking section.

Program Dates:

• Policy Bootcamp: June 3-27, 2025 (in-person)
• Final Project (non-compulsory): June 30-August 25, 2025 (distant)

Stipend:

• $7,500 base stipend to cowl meals, lodging, and bills in the course of the bootcamp.
• $5,000 extra stipend for individuals who full the non-compulsory remaining undertaking block remotely.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: Must be 21 or older by the beginning of this system.
• Location: Must be primarily based within the U.S.
• Expertise: Applicants ought to have skilled expertise in science, expertise, engineering, or arithmetic (STEM), together with fields like environmental or local weather science, cybersecurity, rising applied sciences (AI, IoT, quantum computing), and so on.
• Program Focus Areas:
  • Cybersecurity
  • Emerging Technologies (e.g., AI, IoT, autonomous autos, quantum computing)
  • Climate Change and Clean Energy (environmental justice, local weather tech)
  • Preference shall be given to people working with marginalized communities or these centered on tackling disparities associated to race, ethnicity, gender id, age, sexual orientation, incapacity, and different range elements.

Additional Criteria:

• Applicants ought to present potential to apply their technical experience to create coverage change.
• Applicants with little or no coverage expertise are inspired to apply as that is an introductory program designed to assist them bridge their experience to actionable coverage insights.

Program Structure

1. Policy Bootcamp (In-Person)

The bootcamp is designed to immerse Fellows within the policy-making course of, equipping them with the information and abilities to affect decision-making. It consists of:

• Orientation: Introduction to the Fellowship, cohort members, and the policy-making course of.
• Classes: Explore the basics of coverage creation, equivalent to figuring out points, defining options, and speaking with stakeholders.
• Practical Exercises: Hands-on actions like writing coverage memos, getting ready elevator pitches, and partaking in case research primarily based on real-world issues.

2. Final Project (Remote, Optional)

After the bootcamp, Fellows can select to take part in a distant, part-time remaining undertaking block. This section provides the chance to apply the abilities and information gained in the course of the bootcamp to supply substantial coverage outputs. Examples of deliverables embrace:

• Draft rules
• Policy toolkits for lawmakers
• White papers or op-eds
• Technical app improvement or different tangible options Fellows will work a minimal of 10-12 hours per week on their tasks and current their work to policymakers at the tip of this system.

Funding and Support

• Base Stipend: $7,500 to assist the prices related to taking part within the bootcamp (meals, lodging, and so on.).
• Travel Support: A small journey stipend is offered for out-of-town individuals to assist cowl the price of touring to San Francisco.
• Final Project Bonus: Fellows who full the non-compulsory remaining undertaking will obtain an extra $5,000 as a reward for his or her efforts.

Application Process

• Application Period: January 9 – February 18, 2025
• Finalists: Mid-March, finalists shall be notified and invited for video interviews.
• Admitted Fellows: Mid-April, accepted fellows shall be notified.
• Program Start: June 3, 2025

To apply, it’s essential to submit your application on-line by the Fellowship’s official application portal. Please make sure that you meet all eligibility necessities and evaluate the FAQ part for extra detailed steerage.

Curriculum Highlights

Fellows will have interaction in varied matters designed to show them how you can translate technical information into coverage change:

• Policy Making Fundamentals: Understand the policymaking course of from begin to end.
• Communication Skills: Learn how you can write coverage memos, create efficient op-eds, and current concepts to completely different stakeholders.
• Hands-On Learning: Develop essential abilities equivalent to stakeholder mapping, figuring out coverage issues, and crafting options.

Fellowship Priorities

• We are significantly eager about candidates who specialise in rising applied sciences, cybersecurity, and local weather change. If you’re employed in these precedence areas, your experience shall be central to shaping related, well timed insurance policies.
• Additionally, we prioritize candidates who’re dedicated to tackling social disparities associated to race, gender id, age, incapacity, and different marginalized teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is coverage? Policy is a plan of action adopted by a corporation or particular person to handle societal issues. The Fellowship teaches how you can affect and change coverage by proof, communication, and motion.
• Do I would like a background in public coverage to apply? No. This is an introductory program for individuals who wish to learn to apply their scientific or technical experience to affect coverage.
• Can I proceed working whereas taking part? The coverage bootcamp is full-time, requiring 40 hours every week. We advocate taking a go away of absence out of your main job throughout this era.
• Do you cowl medical insurance? Unfortunately, we can’t present medical insurance in the course of the Fellowship resulting from its quick length.
• Can I apply if I’m not in one of many precedence areas? Yes, whereas we prioritize candidates from our focus areas (cybersecurity, rising tech, local weather change), we additionally settle for candidates from different science and tech fields.

Application Timeline

• Open Application Period: January 9 – February 18, 2025
• Finalist Notifications: Mid-March 2025
• Fellowship Start: June 3, 2025

Attend an Informational Webinar

To study extra, be part of one in every of our informational webinars on:

• January 22, 2025
• February 4, 2025

Apply Now

If you’re keen about making use of your technical experience to form significant coverage, apply now for the Science and Technology Policy Fellowship! Gain the instruments and community to affect public coverage at the intersection of science, expertise, and society.

For extra info, go to our FAQ web page or apply here.

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