Is US citizenship a requirement for the Congressional Fellow position?
US citizenship is not mandatory and in fact non-US citizens are among the roster of former MRS/OSA Congressional Fellows. What is important is excellent English language skills and a strong understanding of the US federal government system. However, applicants are required to be eligible to work and reside in the United States for their fellowship term.
I will receive my PhD in May, but the deadline for Fellow application is January. Will I be considered eligible?
You may apply for the Fellowship but, if the Fellowship is awarded to you, the Selection Committee reserves the right to rescind it if this requirement is not completed as expected.
I applied for the Fellowship two years ago and was not selected at that time. Can I apply again?
Yes. Only one MRS/OSA Fellowship is awarded each year and unfortunately that means that the Selection Committee often has the difficult decision of selecting one Fellow out of a potential pool of qualified individuals. Your subsequent application demonstrates your commitment to public service and moreover gives you the opportunity to further enhance your qualifications for Fellow consideration.
I have been working in materials research for about 20 years. Am I eligible for the Fellowship?
Yes. Successful Congressional Fellows on the Hill come from a wide range of professional experience, career paths and cultural backgrounds.
I am very interested in exploring the opportunity of working as a Fellow but the stipend is not equal to my current level of pay. If I am selected as the MRS/OSA Fellow, can I accept supplemental compensation from my current employer?
Yes. MRS/OSA Fellows have made such an arrangement in the past. However, such an arrangement might require you to consult with your Capitol Hill placement office about ethical considerations and could limit the issue areas on which you work on Capitol Hill.
I am a federal employee. Am I eligible for the Fellowship?
Yes, but this might require you to consult with your Capitol Hill placement office about ethical considerations and could limit the issue areas on which you work on Capitol Hill.
Are post-docs at federal agencies or national labs considered federal employees?
No.
I have only modest public service experience at the local level but otherwise meet all the basic criteria described for the Fellowship. Is this sufficient for consideration as a Fellow?
Experience is not as important as interest and aptitude for applying your scientific knowledge to policy making; therefore, do not let your concerns about the level of experience deter you from applying for the Fellowship if you are interested in public policy service. Furthermore, do not under-estimate what you have learned from the experience you have had.
Where can I find out more about the Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship Program in order to determine if this Fellowship is right for me?
Several former MRS/OSA Fellows have written about their experiences on the Hill in articles published in the MRS Bulletin. You can see these reports at www.mrs.org/pa/editorials. AAAS has also prepared a collection of testimonials from former Fellows in similar programs. You can download this document at fellowships.aaas.org/labhil.shtml.
How many MRS/OSA Fellowships are awarded each year? How many applicants typically apply each year?
One MRS/OSA Fellowship is awarded each year. You should focus on how well your qualifications and interests match the criteria for the Fellowship rather than the number of applicants in the pool.
What type of information should be covered in letters of reference that others write for me?
There is no formula for such letters of reference. The important thing is to select individuals who know you well enough to provide insight into your personal or professional qualifications that cannot be gleaned from a resume. The Selection Committee will pay particular attention to information that relates to your ability to interact with non-scientists on Capitol Hill. Remember to give the people from whom you wish to have letters of reference adequate time to prepare these letters.
I understand that there are other Congressional Fellowships sponsored by other organizations. Are they similar to the MRS/OSA Program and can I also apply to them?
In addition to MRS and OSA, there are a number of other technical societies that sponsor AAAS Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowships (see other sponsoring societies at fellowships.aaas.org). There is no restriction on applying to multiple Fellowship Programs; however, the requirements vary from program to program.
After I send in my application materials, what happens next and in what timeframe?
Several weeks after the application deadline in mid-January, applicants are notified of their status as a finalist or non-finalist. Finalists are then given a written assignment to complete in preparation for a live interview with the Selection Committee. Interviews with finalists are conducted in Washington, DC on one day between mid-March and early April. The Fellowship is typically awarded within a couple of days following the interviews.
If I am awarded the Fellowship, what happens next?
AAAS will contact you regarding a two-week orientation program that is held in September. The orientation gives Fellows a good grounding in how government works and exposure to the people and issues that they will deal with during a fellowship year. You will also have a contact at MRS who will arrange for stipend payments, reimbursement of expenses and answer any other questions you may have. At this point, you will be able to contact former MRS/OSA Fellows who will be happy to share their experience and tips for a successful Fellow year.
For Further Information on the MRS/OSA Congressional Fellowship ProgramPlease Contact:
Lyndsay Basista (OSA) at 202-416-1930
or
Sandra DeVincent Wolf (MRS) at 724-779-2731