Congressional Science Fellowship Application

Congressional Science Fellowship Application

Overview

The American Society for Microbiology invites its members to apply for a Congressional Science Fellowship. The deadline for application is February 20, 2009. The period of appointment is from 1 September 2009 and extends for one year. The award will include a $55,000 stipend plus health care benefits. The stipend is supported by the Martin Frobisher Fund.

The program will select a postdoctoral to mid-career microbiologist to spend one year on the staff of an individual congressman, congressional committee, or with some other appropriate organizational unit of Congress. The purpose of the program is to make practical contributions to more effective use of scientific knowledge in government, to educate the scientific communities regarding public policy, and to broaden the perspective of both the scientific and governmental communities regarding the value of such science-government interaction.

The ASM Fellow will function as special legislative assistant within the congressional staff. The American Association for the Advancement of Science will arrange a carefully structured orientation program, guide the placement process, and coordinate weekly seminars throughout the year for the ASM Fellow, as well as other Congressional Fellows.

Qualifications

Prospective Fellows must be citizens of the United States, be members of ASM for at least one year and must have completed their Ph.D. by the time the fellowship begins in September. Candidates are expected to show competence in some aspect of microbiology, have a broad background in science and technology, and have interest and some experience in applying scientific knowledge toward the solution of social problems. Candidates are expected to be articulate, literate, adaptable, interested in work on a range of public policy problems, and able to work with a variety of people from diverse professional backgrounds.

Application

A Complete Application for the Fellowship must include:

1. A letter from the candidate indicating a desire to apply and listing three references.

2. Three letters of references. Reference letters should address: The reference's relationship to candidate; An evaluation of the technical accomplishments and relative standing of the candidate among his or her peers; The candidate's known interest and experience in applying his or her expertise to the solution of societal problems; The candidates ability to communicate and to interact productively with individuals and groups; An assessment of the candidate's maturity and judgmental ability; and An opinion about the candidate's professional future.

References should include individuals who can discuss not only the candidate's professional competence but also other aspects of his or her background interests which would make the applicant particularly qualified to serve as a Congressional Fellow.

3. A statement from the candidate about his or her qualifications and career goals. The candidate's statement should not exceed 1,000 words. The statement should cover the following areas: Why the fellowship is desired; How the candidate is qualified for the Fellowship; What issues and congressional situations interest the candidate; What role the candidate envisions as a Congressional Science Fellow; and What outcome is hoped for relative to the candidate's career goals.

Applications, reference letters, and questions should be addressed to:

Congressional Science Fellowship
Office of Public Affairs
American Society for Microbiology
1752 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 942-9209
FAX: (202) 942-9335
E-mail: Congressional Science Fellowship

Candidates selected for interviews must provide travel to and from Washington at their own expense. The candidate is responsible for soliciting the required references, providing the six guidelines for the reference response and seeing that the references are forwarded before the deadline.