APA Congressional Fellowship
Fellows spend one year working on the staff of a member of Congress or congressional committee. Activities may involve drafting legislation, conducting oversight work, assisting with congressional hearings and events, and preparing briefs and speeches. Fellows also attend a two-week orientation program on congressional and executive branch operations, which provides guidance for the congressional placement process, and participate in a yearlong seminar series on science and public policy issues. The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) administers these professional development activities for the APA fellows and for fellows sponsored by over two dozen other professional societies.
APA will sponsor a congressional fellow for a one-year appointment beginning approximately August 30, 2027. The APA fellowship is open to all full APA members. Stipend for this fellowship is $93,750. In addition, the fellowship provides reimbursement for health insurance coverage and a $3,500 stipend for professional development.
To learn more about the fellowship experience please watch the 2021 presentation video:
APA Convention Fellowship Presentation 2021opens in new window
For questions, contact Ben Vonachen, APA Advocacy Office.
A prospective fellow must:
- Demonstrate excellence in scientific and/or professional psychology.
- Demonstrate knowledge of policy issues.
- Have a strong interest in applying psychological knowledge to the solution of societal challenges.
- Be able to work quickly and communicate effectively on a wide variety of topics and be able to work cooperatively with individuals with diverse viewpoints.
- Commit to working full-time in an in-person office environment in Washington, D.C. with a schedule to be determined by their respective congressional office placement. Fellows may not pursue concurrent professional employment or volunteer opportunities that conflict with the schedules set by their congressional office placements.
An applicant must:
- Have a doctorate in psychology (from an APA accredited doctoral program and internship, if in the area of professional psychology) or related field by the application deadline.
- Be a psychologist, a member of APA (or applicant for membership), and a U.S. citizen.
A special exception is made for current psychology interns who may apply with certification from the director of training in their doctoral program that they have met all but the internship requirement for their doctoral degree by the application deadline.
Applicants may also simultaneously apply for APA’s Goldman Congressional Fellowship, Springfield LGBTQIA+ Congressional Fellowship, and Executive Branch Science Fellowship.
A complete application must include the following:
- A completed online application: Submitting the application will require uploading and submitting the following materials electronically:
- Detailed curriculum vita providing information about educational background, professional employment and activities, professional publications and presentations, public policy and legislative experience, and committee and advisory group appointments;
- Statement of approximately 1,000 words addressing the applicant's interests in the fellowship, career goals, and what the applicant can contribute to and learn from the fellowship experience;
- A letter of recommendation to be uploaded and submitted by a recommender: Letters should specifically address the applicant’s ability to serve successfully on Capitol Hill as a congressional fellow. Applicants are responsible for forwarding the recommendation submission form to their recommenders.
For more information about the fellowship, please contact: Ben Vonachen, Congressional Fellowship Advocacy Office.
Current fellows
2026-27
Richard Chang, PhD, is a 2026–27 APF/APA Springfield LGBTQIA+ Congressional fellow. Chang is working in the office of Representative Raul Ruiz (D-California), focusing on health policy, health equity, and reducing health disparities among marginalized communities. He earned his PhD in social psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where his research examined the social and psychological factors that contribute to health disparities among communities of color and LGBTQ+ communities. Originally from Fresno, California, Rich brings a strong background in quantitative research, data analysis, and understanding how social inequalities shape health outcomes.
Kathleen J. Hart, PhD, ABPP, is the 2026-27 APF/APA Jacquelin Goldman Congressional fellow funded through the American Psychological Foundation. The Goldman Fellowship supports psychologists in applying their expertise in child development to bridge psychological science and federal policy making. Hart, a board certified clinical child and adolescent psychologist, is working in the office of Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) as a member of his domestic policy team where her specific focus will be on youth mental health, access to behavioral health care, and juvenile justice.
Hart, who received a PhD in psychology from Virginia Tech under the mentorship of Thomas Ollendick, PhD, came to the Goldman Fellowship after a career as a faculty member at Xavier University in Cincinnati Ohio. At Xavier, she taught graduate and undergraduate courses, mentored graduate and undergraduate research, supervised graduate student trainees in assessment, and served in a variety of administrative positions, including as director of the school of psychology. Additionally, she provided forensic evaluations and expert testimony for the Hamilton County Juvenile Court for nearly 20 years addressing competence to stand trial, waiver to the adult court, and disposition. Hart brings a passion to improve the lives of youth through evidence-based policy making.
Douglas E. Lewis, Jr., PsyD, is a 2026-27 APA/AAAS Congressional fellow. He is working in the office of US Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) focusing primarily on health and disability policy. Lewis is a forensic psychologist specializing in court-ordered psychological assessment, criminal and civil forensic consultation, and expert testimony. His research interests are practitioner-focused in that he has critically examined innovations intended to address the nationwide competency crisis (i.e., models for the delivery of competency restoration services). Lewis also has proudly served as a military behavioral health officer since 2021.
Héctor D. Torres Ruiz, PhD, is a 2026-27 APA/AAAS Congressional fellow. Torres Ruiz is working in the office of Representative Ritchie Torres (D-New York). In this role, Torres Ruiz focuses on legislative and oversight efforts for federal healthcare programs—Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act—as well as supports public health, healthcare accessibility, behavioral health, mental health, Puerto Rico, and healthcare modernization, including the intersection of emerging technologies with population well-being.
Torres Ruiz joined the fellowship shortly after earning his doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Albizu University in Puerto Rico, and completing his predoctoral residency at the Washington DC VA Medical Center, where he trained across the hematology, oncology, transplant, rehabilitation, hospice, pain, primary care, and long-term care rotations. His research has examined the relationship between endocrine status and cognitive function in Puerto Rican older adults, as well as the barriers that limit psychologists' participation in public policy development.
In addition to his clinical and research training, Torres Ruiz served in multiple policy-related roles, including internships at the United States Congress and the Puerto Rico House of Representatives, where he contributed to policy analysis, legislative drafting, and constituent services. He has supported public policy efforts through the Puerto Rico Psychology Association, providing analysis for proposed legislation affecting mental healthcare access. Earlier in his career, he collaborated with the Puerto Rico Administration of Mental Health and Addiction Services to present legislation aimed at preventing adolescent substance use. Across his clinical, research, and policy experiences, Dr. Torres Ruiz is committed to bridging behavioral science, public health systems, and evidence-informed policymaking to strengthen federal health programs and advance equitable health outcomes.
Former fellows
2025-26
- Natalie Anumba, PhD, ABPP, APA/AAAS Congressional fellow
Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) - Molly Below, PhD, MPH, APF/APA Springfield LGBTQIA+ Congressional fellow,
Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) - Rubi Gonzales, PhD, APA/AAAS Congressional fellow
Representative Summer Lee (D-PA) - Steven W. Kasparek, PhD, Jacquelin Goldman Congressional fellow
U.S. Senate Committee on Finance
2024–25
- Erica Eisenman, PsyD, Jacquelin Goldman Congressional fellow
Representative Jennifer McClellan (D-Virginia) - Mary A. Fernandes, PhD, APA/AAAS Congressional fellow
Senator Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) - Aaron D. Hunt, PhD, Springfield LGBTQIA+ Congressional fellow
Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois)
2023-24
- Tiffany Chenneville, PhD, Springfield LGBTQIA+ Congressional fellow
Senator Ron Wyden, D-Oregon - Janice Lepore, PsyD, Jacquelin Goldman Congressional fellow
Senate Committee on Finance - Agnes M. Varghese, PhD, APA Congressional fellow
Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Delaware
2022–23
- Malcolm Woodland, PhD, Jaquelin Goldman Congressional fellow
Representative Federica Wilson, D-Florida - Erika Fountain, PhD, Congressional fellow
Senator Ron Wyden, D-Oregon
2021–22
- Erika Felix, PhD, Congressional Goldman fellow
Senate Special Committee on Aging - Shahana Koslofsky, PhD, Congressional fellow
Representative Robin Kelly, D-Illinois
