This article was written by a former AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow otherwise unaffiliated with this website.

Introduction

The AAAS Science and Technology Policy (STP) Fellowship allows scientists and engineers to gain first-hand policy experience by serving for 1-2 years in the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of the federal government in Washington DC. Fellows perform a wide range of tasks to inform the policymaking process, from in-depth research on technical topics to drafting speeches or policy memos, managing programs, developing new policy, and writing legislation.

Applications open every June and close on November 1 (deadlines can differ for partner societies). Selection is done in February through April of the following year and typically involves writing a policy memo and a virtual panel interview to select finalists. Finalists then participate in a week of in-person placement interviews in April. Successful fellows typically start a two-week orientation in DC on September 1.

Eligibility and background: The fellowship targets PhD scientists, or engineers with a master’s degree and 3+ years of work experience. Every year approximately 170 first-year fellows start the program, with the majority (~140) joining the executive branch, around 30 going to Congress, and one fellow placed in the judicial branch.¹ The program has been running for over 50 years and is among the most prestigious science policy fellowships in DC. Alumni of the AAAS STP Fellowship often go on to high-level positions in science and technology policy in DC and beyond.

Fellowship tracks: There are three different ways to become a AAAS STP fellow, all with their own application process and deadlines (more detail in the section on becoming a fellow):

1. Apply directly through AAAS (~130 fellows/year): the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) selects the large majority of fellows. Nearly all of these are executive branch fellowships, with around three congressional fellows and one judicial branch fellow selected by AAAS. When you apply directly through AAAS, you must have your advanced degree already in hand by the November 1 application deadline.
2. Apply through a AAAS partner society (~40 fellows/year): there are around 30 scientific and engineering societies placing approximately 30 congressional and 10 executive branch fellows each year. Each partner society manages its own application process, eligibility requirements, and salary. Applicants are free to apply to more than one society, potentially increasing their opportunities for selection. When you apply through a partner society, you must have your advanced degree by the time you start the fellowship, which is more flexible than applying through AAAS directly.
3. Apply for the AAAS Rapid Response AI Cohort (~6 fellows/year): in 2023, AAAS launched this new fellowship to rapidly place a small number of highly qualified AI subject-matter experts in Congress to work specifically on AI policy for 12 months. AAAS has a different application deadline, eligibility criteria, and salary for this cohort.

Why you should consider the AAAS STPF

• It is a long-running and prestigious fellowship that represents one of the best ways for PhD scientists and engineers to transition into policy careers. 
• The fellowship provides the professional development (e.g. training and networking) necessary to become a science policy professional. This includes a two-week orientation, weekly happy hours, regular professional development events, and events at AAAS conferences. Fellows are in high demand for placements across the federal government, and there are many events for fellowship alumni.
• Fellows often go on to senior positions in government and beyond, particularly in science policy roles but also in other fields such as national security, foreign policy, economic policy, etc. The fellowship can be a useful way to jump into higher rungs or to pivot to a new field than would otherwise be possible by applying directly to the government without the fellowship.
• The fellowship is a great way for scientists to test their fit for policy work without making a long-term commitment. Fellows will often have more flexibility than full-time employees and are encouraged to network widely as part of the fellowship. While many fellows stay in government jobs, around a quarter of fellows return to academia.
• Some placements (mostly in the executive branch) require fellows to get a security clearance, which can be a valuable professional asset for getting future government positions, especially those related to national security (although it can also require long waits).

Why you might not like the AAAS STPF 

• For people used to academia, the transition to policy can be challenging. The pace is much faster, with rapid deadlines. You won’t have time to go into the level of depth you were used to in academia, will often have to work on subjects well outside of your expertise, and will frequently be working in distracting environments. To learn more about what working in policy is like and what attributes help you succeed, see our guide on testing your fit for policy careers.
• If you prefer independent work, this may not be as good a fit. In policy, you will often work collaboratively and will likely spend a lot of time in meetings.
• While many of the fellowships pay well, some pay at much lower levels than others. 
• The fellowship focuses heavily on science and technology policy. This can overlap with other areas (e.g. national security or economic policy), but you must be strategic about your placement if you want to pursue opportunities in these other areas during your fellowship or directly after your fellowship. For example, this strategic outlook may involve prioritizing a placement at the Department of Defense, the State Department, the Executive Office of the President, or other federal agency or congressional committee placements where science and technology is the basis for larger policy discussions as opposed to a placement at the National Science Foundation or National Institutes of Health where science and technology itself is the focus of the policy discussions.
• It can be hard to determine what you work on during the fellowship. If you want to focus on one particular area near-term, that may be hard to control in this fellowship. Speaking to fellows who have previously worked in the office you’re considering is a good way to understand what you might do.
• The fellowship generally provides limited chances for publication or other forms of public recognition, as you will often work for your agency or member of Congress. If you’re looking to do more public engagement this could be a challenge. 
• The quality of mentorship can be very variable. Some offices that host fellows are experienced at incorporating them effectively as full members of staff, while others are much worse at getting fellows up to speed. Even with good mentorship, there can be a big emphasis on quickly figuring things out for yourself.
• Cleared positions can require long waits. Positions with the State Department in particular sometimes take months to get appropriate security clearances for. During that time, you may be unable to begin your fellowship.

What’s the AAAS S&T Policy Fellowship like?

What type of work do you do?

The type of work varies widely depending on where you are placed, and whether or not you are staffing a principal (e.g. a member of Congress or a senior official in the executive branch). In general, the job will often involve rapidly digesting technical information and converting it into policy-relevant output. While some roles may require deeper technical work, such as writing code, analyzing data, and delving into the technical literature, most roles are likely to be at a higher level than this. Deadlines can be as short as hours to days, with longer projects taking months (i.e. much faster than academic timelines).

Compared to permanent staff, fellows can be more focused on a smaller number of areas, but this can vary widely between positions. In some offices, fellows may be treated similarly to permanent staff after a few months in the position, while other offices may treat their fellows differently throughout their time in the office. All fellowship placements require you to reside in the DC area for the duration of the fellowship, and the hybrid work policies can vary substantially. The hours and work-life balance can also vary widely between positions. 

Congressional track

Most roles will involve a lot of meetings and frequent engagement with outside experts and constituents. You’ll often act as a conduit from outside experts, rather than aiming to understand topics in the same level of depth that you were used to in academia. You can expect to spend a lot of time reading and responding to emails as well, and finding time for focused work can be challenging.

Staffing a principal (i.e. a member of Congress) can include briefing the principal before an event, writing remarks and speeches, preparing for press interviews, and attending constituent meetings with them. These roles can often be much faster paced and involve responding to very time-sensitive (and unexpected) requests. Different roles may involve different amounts of interaction with senior decision-makers, and it’s worth asking how much time you can expect to spend on this kind of activity before accepting a position. See our guide on working in Congress for more information.

Working hours can also vary widely depending on the position and the time of year. In Congress, hours are generally 9 am–6 pm when the Senate or House is in session, and 9 am–5 pm outside of that time. Offices will generally require in-person work when the chamber is in session, and many offices will allow for remote work outside of this time (although some only provide a limited number of remote days per year). If fellows are preparing for a significant event (e.g. a congressional hearing) they may end up working outside of normal hours. 

Executive branch track

Compared to Congress, the executive branch is likely to involve less staffing of principals, less development of novel policy ideas, and less engagement with constituents. There will likely be more focus on developing policies and strategies based on existing agency mandates, implementing existing programs, or engaging with stakeholder communities around key priority areas. The executive branch can also be more hierarchical and bureaucratic, but it can be easier to have more direct impact through program implementation.

Fellowship placements in the executive branch typically involve normal working hours of 9 am–5 pm, but this can also vary widely, including if your role involves regular engagement with the Presidential administration or other political appointees. Most executive branch placements allow for hybrid work schedules with wide variation in exact telework allowances between offices.

Can I do work that is relevant to emerging technology policy? 

Definitely, fellows work on a wide array of technical topics, including all emerging technologies. But you’ll need to carefully check the details of your particular placement to ensure that you’re able to do the work that you want to do.

For congressional roles, you’re unlikely to be able to focus exclusively on emerging technology issues, although an increasing number of offices are looking for expertise in AI and other emerging technologies.

For executive branch roles, the breadth and depth of topic area focus depends on the placement office but you can get a good sense of this through the placement interviews. To meet this demand, AAAS has started a specific congressional AI fellowship that is much more focused than usual congressional fellowships.

Having a successful fellowship

There is no one path to having a successful fellowship, and fellows can have many different goals going into the fellowship. Still, here are a few suggestions to consider:

• Prioritize mentorship: Having a dedicated mentor—who is experienced enough to show you how things work, but not so senior that they’re not able to spend much time with you—is very important for having a successful fellowship. A lot of what is needed to succeed in a fellowship can’t be read in a book and needs to be translated via direct guidance from a mentor. During the interview process, try to clarify who will be your mentor and asking about their approach to mentorship (e.g. you should aim to have at least a weekly check-in meeting, and ideally daily contact at the start of the fellowship), as well as asking previous fellows and staff about their experiences and the reputation of the mentor. It can be a good idea to prioritize mentors who have experience hosting fellows.
• Pitch in: Fellows may have set ideas about what they want to or are qualified to work on, but they often find themselves working on a much wider range of issues than they expected. It can be very useful for fellows to jump into a wider range of topics than they’re familiar with, as it can allow them to better understand the issues and processes used by their offices.
• Build trust: It’s extremely important to build trusted relationships with your colleagues. Decisions are often made quickly, under substantial time pressure. If you’re trusted, you’re more likely to be given the freedom to work on consequential topics and make decisions. You can build trust by showing that you can quickly deliver on projects that are important to the office, and being careful in how you engage outside of the office (e.g. checking with your supervisor before scheduling official outside meetings). It’s also helpful to show that you understand the broader context of the office you’re working in (e.g. if working for a member of Congress, get familiar with the work that they’ve done previously, and how issues in their state may shape their priorities). 
• Network: Developing a wide network is very important for understanding how DC works, and can help you learn information that improves how you do your job. For people coming from academic backgrounds, deliberate networking may feel unfamiliar, but it can greatly boost how much you get out of the experience. Your professional network is also instrumental in helping you identify and land jobs after the fellowship. Aim to regularly reach out to new people for informal chats over “coffee” (you don’t actually have to drink coffee!), join relevant group chats, attend happy hours, and go to presentations and conferences related to your field. Cold outreach is not unusual in policy circles, so don’t be afraid to reach out to people even if you don’t have an existing relationship. It’s important to be polite and respectful of people’s time; for introductory conversations, keep them to 30 minutes or less unless the other person offers more.
• Look for placements where you will be treated as a full member of staff: Some fellowship placements, particularly those that have not previously had fellows, may not have a clear idea of how best to train and use you as a fellow, and as a result, you could struggle to gain the full experience. Ask any previous fellows how they were treated in the office, and ask the office roughly what level of employee they consider fellows equivalent to (e.g. congressional fellows should aim to be at about the level of a legislative assistant after they’ve got up to speed). Try to also clarify with the office what the key goals are for you as a fellow (e.g. do they have particular projects that they want you to work on). 

What can I do after the fellowship?

According to AAAS, 

“In the year immediately following their fellowship, approximately 40-50% of fellows continue working in the policy realm (not necessarily in federal government); 20-25% return to the sector in which they worked previously; and 20-25% use the experience as a stepping stone to a new opportunity.” 

Fellows can remain with the office where they were placed, but this is more common for executive branch than congressional fellows. AAAS provides several sessions during the fellowship year to help fellows find their next professional opportunity, and fellows are encouraged to continually network in their chosen field, such as by attending happy hours, getting coffee with relevant professionals, and attending conferences.

The fellowship is well-regarded by many employers, and fellows generally have good options for their next steps. As the fellowship lasts only 1-2 year(s)², fellows will often start to consider their next steps 6-8 months into the fellowship. 

How does the fellowship compare with other opportunities?

The AAAS STP fellowship is one of the longest-running and most highly regarded science policy fellowships in DC and is one of the best ways for scientists to enter the science policy realm. Anecdotally, the fellowship can allow you to more quickly move to senior positions compared to directly applying for policy positions, in part due to the training and mentorship provided, as well as the network and prestige associated with the fellowship. 

Other science and tech policy fellowships can also provide similar experiences, for example the Horizon and Tech Congress fellowships. You may also want to consider the prestigious Presidential Management Fellowship as a path into the executive branch (this is broader than science and policy). One downside of the AAAS STP fellowship as compared to these other fellowships is that you can only apply if you have a PhD in a scientific field or a master’s degree in an engineering field. Generally, we do not recommend doing a PhD only to become a AAAS STP fellow, as there are several other (faster) paths and programs to get into a policy role.

Salary and benefits

The salary and benefits can vary widely depending on the particular route into the fellowship, so carefully check the salary and benefits package when applying:

1. AAAS applicants: According to the AAAS website, “for those applying through AAAS, stipends [in 2024] range approximately $99,000-129,000 per year³ and depend on a combination of factors including type of fellowship, fellowship sponsor, current salary, and/or number of years of post-doctoral professional experience.” The fellowship provides a travel/training allotment for expenses related to work-related pre-approved travel and training over the term of the fellowship. Relocation stipends are sometimes provided depending on fellowship sponsor. Health insurance coverage including dental and prescriptions is offered. Fellows receive holidays off as well as 21 days of PTO per year for use as both sick leave and vacation time.
2. Partner society applicants: Each partner society sets its own stipend level and benefits for their fellows, typically listed on their website. For example, the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues supports a 2024 AAAS fellowship position at the level of $60,0000/year plus $350/month for health care coverage whereas the American Institute of Physics pays its congressional fellows $89,100 per year plus benefits.
3. AAAS Rapid Response AI Cohort: the 2024 fellows are paid $128,956, plus benefits.

Renewing the fellowship after the first year

Some AAAS STP fellows may do a second, or even third year of the fellowship, subject to certain restrictions:

• Executive branch fellowships sponsored by AAAS (the vast majority of fellows each year) are for a term of one year with a potential to renew for a second year at your same office. There is also a potential to do your second year at a different department or agency but often you need to repeat a round of placement interviews in April with the new cohort of fellows to make this switch.
• Legislative branch, judicial branch and Revelle fellowships are for a term of one year but some will re-apply and take on executive branch fellowships directly after their year on the Hill.
• Fellows in a legislative branch, judicial branch or Revelle fellowship may serve for an additional one to two years in an executive branch or other fellowship for the maximum of three years.
• Executive branch fellows sponsored by a partner society may not serve a second fellowship in the same agency where they were sponsored.

Becoming a AAAS S&T Policy Fellow

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria also differ by fellowship track:

1. AAAS applicants: You must hold a doctoral-level scientific degree in a qualified field, or a masters in engineering plus three years of experience. You must have your degree in hand by the time applications close (November 1)⁴ and be a US citizen. 
2. Partner society applicants: Each partner society determines their own eligibility criteria.
3. AAAS Rapid Response AI Cohort: the fellowship has similar but slightly relaxed formal eligibility criteria compared to AAAS’s main AAAS STPF cohorts. For example, you can technically qualify with a bachelor’s of science plus five years of post-degree work experience, even if you don’t have a PhD or master’s. But the fellowship application is very competitive. To get a realistic sense of your chances, check out the profiles of the 6 fellows accepted in the 2023 application cycle; of those 6 fellows, 5 had PhDs (3x computer science, 1x neuroscience, and 1x political science), 1 had a master’s, and everyone had several years of full-time work experience (often at tech companies or academic labs).

Positions sponsored by partner societies

Partner societies select their own candidates and set their own eligibility requirements, which can differ from those set by AAAS. For example, application deadlines may be different, most don’t require having finished a PhD when you apply, and some do not require US citizenship (although they’re unlikely to sponsor visas, meaning non-citizens will likely need work authorization, e.g. via Optional Practical Training on the F-1 student visa).

Partner societies often require applicants to have done work relevant to the activities of the society, and be a member of that society. If during your graduate work you realize you are interested in doing a AAAS STP fellowship, consider getting involved with relevant professional societies for a year or two prior to applying to their fellowship program. Most scientific societies will require that the applicant has a PhD in a relevant field by the time the fellowship starts, while engineering societies may also accept a relevant master’s degree plus several years of professional experience. If eligible, you can apply both via AAAS directly and via partner societies. Most partner societies sponsor congressional positions (roughly/year 30 in total) and some also support executive branch fellows (roughly 10/year in total). This compares with around 130 first-year fellows who are selected by AAAS, almost all of whom go to the executive branch.

After selection, the experience is very similar for fellows regardless of their sponsorship. They all participate in orientation organized by AAAS and will go through the same placement process described below. Some sponsoring societies may place slightly different requirements on fellows (e.g. giving a presentation to the sponsoring society at the end of the fellowship).

Application process and interviews

The application process differs between AAAS and the partner societies. Some partner societies will require only a cover letter, resume, and a single round of interviews, while AAAS has a multi-stage application process, involving a written application, interviews and a one-page briefing memo for semi-finalists, and a finalist interview week. 

As a general rule, interviewers will be looking for a solid scientific background, but also a clear “why” (i.e. what are your motivations for applying), some evidence of previous interest in science policy, good communication skills, and indications of leadership and initiative-taking. They are also likely to value some flexibility, for example a willingness to work on topics that aren’t your primary interest. 

AAAS’s specific evaluation criteria are as follows (more details on the website; scores sum up to 100):

1. Scientific/Technical Background & Professional Accomplishment (1-40 points)
2. Leadership & Potential (1-15 points)
3. Analytical & Problem-Solving Abilities (1-15 points)
4. Communication, Interpersonal & Outreach Skills (1-15 points)
5. Commitment to STPF Fellowship Mission & Opportunities (1-15 points)

See also the AAAS guidelines for application evaluators and the interview process timeline. AAAS does not publish acceptance rates, stating only that applications are highly competitive.

Placement process

After selection, fellows must be placed with a relevant office for their fellowship year. This process depends on the track that they have selected (Congressional, Executive, or Judicial).

Executive branch fellows

The placement process takes place in Washington DC in April, shortly after candidates have gone through the AAAS application process. Candidates will generally interview in person with several executive branch offices over the course of a week before both the offices and candidates rank their ideal counterparts. This week may contain anywhere from 10-20 interviews. In early May, a matching process takes place where AAAS makes offers to candidates in order of office rankings. Candidates may receive multiple offers at the same time, and additional offers may come in if other candidates pass on positions. If a candidate does not receive an acceptable offer, there is a second chance to schedule interviews with offices that have unfilled positions. As there are generally more positions available than candidates, it is rare for a candidate to not have an offer by the end of the finalist process. Candidates will officially accept a position in June, but will not start work until after orientation in September in most cases.⁵

Some executive branch positions may require a security clearance, and fellows cannot start their position until the clearance comes through. Some agencies allow fellows to delay their fellowship start date to account for the time spent waiting for clearance (although fellows will still be required to attend orientation in September, which could present logistical complications). Other agencies require fellows to obtain clearance by September 1 (the regular start date for most fellows) or their fellowship offer will be rescinded. It’s therefore very important to understand the particular clearance requirements and policies of each position.

Here is a representative list of executive branch offices that host fellows, though this list can change from year to year.

Congressional fellows

The placement begins after initial orientation in September. Fellows will be supplied with a book listing offices that are interested in hosting a fellow, and fellows can also reach out to offices that aren’t listed. Fellows are expressly forbidden from reaching out to offices until a set date, and there is then approximately a week-long matching process where fellows interview with offices. Fellows generally apply to 10 or more offices. Most offices will do 2-3 rounds of interviews, and final round interviews can be with the member of Congress. The interview process can be hectic, and it’s worth preparing a list of offices you may want to interview with before the start of the matching process.

After the interview period offices will begin extending offers. Typically, more offices want a fellow than there are fellows, and all fellows get a placement, although for some it may take a bit longer.

Orientation

All fellows undertake a two-week orientation process in DC starting around the beginning of September. Executive and congressional branch fellows are together for most of the orientation process, which includes talks on US history, the budget process, congressional procedures, professional development, and a range of other topics. Executive branch fellows will already be placed by the time orientation starts, while for congressional fellows the placement process begins shortly after orientation.

Resources

• STPF Overview, AAAS website
  • Become an S&T Policy Fellow
  • Program FAQ
  • Application FAQ
  • STPF Impacts
  • 2022 Chat Series: Live Chats with AAAS S&T Policy Fellows
• AAAS S&T Policy FellowsCentral 
• From Ph.D. to Policy Wonk: AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowships, Science 

Footnotes