Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program 2025: (Deadline 9 September 2024)

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.

Stipend of 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.

Eligibility for Graduate Fellowship Program

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. They 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.

Application

To apply for the Mirzayan Fellowship please fill out the online application form by following these steps:

• Set up an account on the online application platform.
• Review the 2025 Mirzayan Fellowship Application Preview document 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: do not contact prospective program units directly. Instead, send all application questions to mirzayanfellowship@nas.edu.
• Prepare your application materials, including:
  1. Short Bio (maximum 250 words)
  2. Short CV (maximum 3 pages, PDF)
  3. Preferred program units (Choose 5)
  4. Two references, which demonstrate how you fulfill the selection criteria outlined in the Selection Process section. (maximum 2 pages per letter, PDF).
     • Note: They recommend that current graduate students include one letter from an academic advisor who knows them well and can confirm the anticipated degree completion date.
  5. Statement of Interest (maximum 500 words)
  6. 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 the online application platform by September 9, 11:59 PM EDT. Note: All application materials must be complete and submitted via the online form to be considered.