Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program (US)

This Mirzayan Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to obtain the essential skills and knowledge needed to work in science policy at the federal, state, or local levels.

Goals 

• 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.
• Participation in the Mirzayan Fellowship provides the opportunity to:
  • Explore a new career path and develop professional skills;
  • Learn how scientific research gets translated into federal policy;
  • Understand how the federal government operates and the role that the National Academies play through advice-making and convening activities;
  • Experience Washington, D.C. firsthand and build a network of science and technology policy experts; and
  • Participate in a robust cohort experience and join an active alumni community.

Funding Information 

• 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.

What do Mirzayan Fellows do?

• As a full-time, hands-on program experience, the Mirzayan Fellowship exposes Fellows to a broad range of activities both inside and outside of National Academies, including:
  • Working closely with a mentor in your assigned program unit;
  • Participating in a weekly guest speaker series;
  • Completing a science and technology policy assignment;
  • Networking and attending Fellowship receptions and external events; and
  • Building community with other cohort members.

Eligibility Criteria 

• 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.
• A terminal degree is the highest level of education or academic credential that can be achieved in a particular field or discipline. If you have or are pursuing a terminal master’s degree, please share context for what makes it a terminal degress in the eligibility notes section of your application.

For more information, visit National Academies of Sciences.