The purpose of this fellowship is to provide psychologists an invaluable learning experience in research administration and policy, to contribute to more effective use of psychological knowledge within federal research funding agencies, and to broaden the awareness about the value of the psychology-government interaction among psychologists and within the federal government.
The Fellow will spend one year working as a special assistant in an executive branch research funding/coordinating office. Specific placement will be determined based on the Fellow’s expertise and interests in coordination with APA staff. Past Fellows have worked in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the National Science Foundation.
The Fellow attends an orientation program on congressional and executive branch operations and a year-long seminar series on issues involving science and public policy. These aspects of the program are administered by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for the APA Fellows and for those sponsored by over two dozen other professional societies.
Eligibility
The prospective Fellow must:
Demonstrate competence in scientific psychology
Display sensitivity toward policy issues
Have a strong interest in applying psychological knowledge to national science policy issues.
Be able to work quickly and communicate effectively on a wide variety of topics
Be able to work cooperatively with individuals having diverse viewpoints
Be a psychologist
Be a member of APA
Have a doctorate in psychology or related field, with a minimum of two years post-doctoral experience preferred.
Be a U.S. citizen
How to Apply
Interested psychologists should submit the following materials:
A detailed curriculum vitae providing information about educational background, professional employment and activities, professional publications and presentations, public policy and legislative experience, and committee and advisory group appointments;
A statement of approximately 1000 words addressing the applicant's interest in the fellowship, contributions the applicant believes he or she can make as a psychologist to the science policy process, what the applicant wants to learn from the experience and how it would fit within overall career goals; and
Three letters of reference specifically addressing the applicant's ability to work as a special assistant for science policy in an executive branch agency.
Application materials should be sent to:
Dr. Heather Kelly
APA Science Policy Fellowship Program
Government Relations Office
American Psychological Association
750 First St., NE, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Dr. Kelly may be contacted at (202) 336-5932 or via e-mail for more information about the Fellowship.
