Applications are open for the Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program
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, new Mirzayan Fellows 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.
Program Details
As a full-time, hands-on program experience, the Mirzayan Fellowship brings together a broad range of activities that will expose you to activities both inside and outside of National Academies, including:
Orientation
During orientation week, you will spend the day learning about National Academies processes and build your foundational understanding of science and technology policy work.
Program Unit Work
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.
Weekly Guest Speaker Series
In addition to Program Unit Work, Fellows also participate in a series of twice weekly guest speaker sessions that will expose them to senior leaders inside National Academies, bring in external experts from the D.C. policy community, and help explore future career paths.
Science and Technology Policy Assignment
During the program, Fellows will complete a group assignment designed to help them learn how to work in a group “committee” setting to write a policy memo about an issue associated with science and technology.
Networking and External Events
Networking and attendance at briefings/meetings are important parts of the Fellowship that help Fellows integrate into the D.C. policy network. Activities include:
- Fellowship Receptions
- Informational Interviews
- National Academies Activities
- External Events
Cohort Community Building Activities
Each year, a new cohort of Mirzayan Fellows joins a robust network of current and former Fellows who become valuable professional resources in their network.
Staff
If you have any questions, please contact them at [email protected].
Benefits of Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program
The Mirzayan Fellowship provides a stipend of $11,000 to offset living expenses during the Fellowship period. The stipend is paid out in one installment during the first week of the program. Additionally, the program covers roundtrip transportation expenses (i.e., airfare, bus fare, or mileage) for Fellows to travel from their U.S.-based residence to Washington, D.C.
Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program Requirements
They 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 3 – May 23, 2025.
- Are one of the following:
- Current graduate 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). Students must have completed their coursework in order to be eligible.;OR
- Have obtained their terminal degree* 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.
* A terminal degree is the highest level of education or academic credential that can be achieved in a particular field or discipline. If you have or are pursuing a terminal master's degree, please share context for what makes it a terminal degress in the eligibility notes section of your application.
Please visit the Program FAQs to learn more.
Application Date and Process
To apply for the Mirzayan Fellowship please fill out their online application form by following these steps:
- Set up an account on our online application platform by clicking the Register button at the top right of their website. If you have applied before, use the Login button.
- Review the 2025 Mirzayan Fellowship Application Previewdocument to understand the application requirements and the Mirzayan Fellowship Application and Interview Tips as you prepare your application.
- Review the list of Prospective Program Units and select up to five that are of interest to you. Note: Please do not contact prospective program units directly. Instead, send all application questions to [email protected].
- Prepare your application materials, including:
- Short Bio (maximum 250 words)
- Short CV (maximum 3 pages, PDF)
- Preferred program units(Choose 5)
- Two references, which demonstrate how you fulfill the selection criteria outlined in the Selection Process section below. (maximum 2 pages per letter, PDF).
- Note: We recommend that current graduate students include one letter from an academic advisor who knows them well and can confirm the anticipated degree completion date.
- Statement of Interest(maximum 500 words)
- Description of Policy Issue Interest (maximum 300 words)
- Notify your referees. Provide their email address in your application as soon as possible to maximize their time to submit. Note: Mailed reference letters will not be accepted.
- Submit your application materials via our online application platform by September 9, 11:59 PM EDT. Note: All application materials must be complete and submitted via our online form to be considered.
Application Deadline
09 September, 2024
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Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program
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