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PROGRAM:  Fellows spend one year working as a special legislative assistant on the staff of a member of Congress or congressional committee.  Activities may involve conducting legislative or oversight work, assisting in congressional hearings and debates, and preparing briefs and writing speeches.  Fellows also attend an eight-day orientation program on congressional and executive branch operations, which includes guidance in the congressional placement process and a year-long seminar series on science and public policy issues.  These aspects of the program are administered by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for the APA Fellows and those sponsored by over two dozen other professional societies.

PURPOSE:  To provide psychologists with an invaluable public policy learning experience, to contribute to the more effective use of psychological knowledge in government, and to broaden awareness about the value of psychology-government interaction among psychologists and within the federal government.

CRITERIA:  A prospective Fellow must demonstrate competence in scientific and/or professional psychology.  Fellows must also demonstrate sensitivity toward policy issues and have a strong interest in applying psychological knowledge to the solution of societal problems.  Fellows must be able to work quickly and communicate effectively on a wide variety of topics, and be able to work cooperatively with individuals having diverse viewpoints.  An applicant must be a psychologist, a Member of APA, and have a doctorate in psychology or related field, with a minimum of two years of experience post-doctorate preferred.  An applicant must also be a U.S. citizen. 

AWARDS:  APA will sponsor up to five Fellows for a one-year appointment beginning September 1, 2007. Special Fellowships are available for mid-career clinicians and for psychologists with expertise in health and behavior issues, including HIV/AIDS (see separate program announcements).  The Fellowship stipend ranges from $60,000 to $75,000 depending upon years of experience post-doctorate.  Up to $3,500 is allocated per Fellow for relocation to the Washington, D.C., area and for travel expenses during the year.  An additional monthly stipend of $350 is provided for health insurance and/or other Fellowship-related expenses.  Final selection of Fellows will be made in early spring of 2007.

APPLICATION: Interested psychologists should submit the following materials by January 3, 2007:

1. a completed APA Congressional Fellowship Application Coversheet;
   
   
2. a detailed 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;
   
   
3. a statement of approximately 1,000 words addressing the applicant's interests in the Fellowship, career goals, contributions the applicant believes he or she can make as a psychologist to the legislative process, and what the applicant wants to learn from the experience; and
   
   
4. three letters of reference specifically addressing the applicant's ability to work on Capitol Hill as a special legislative assistant.

Send your application to: APA Congressional Fellowship Program, Public Policy Office, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. For additional information about the application process, please contact the APA Public Policy Office via email or at (202) 336-6062.