APA Fellowship Programs Accepting Applications

APA is now inviting applications for its 1997-1998 Congressional and Science Policy Fellowship Programs. Both Programs are intended to encourage more effective use of scientific knowledge in government and to demonstrate the value of psychology-government interactions.

The Congressional Fellowship Program sponsors up to five psychologists to serve as special legislative assistants on congressional staffs or committees. One Fellowship is set aside for an individual interested in HIV/AIDS-related policy, and one is for someone interested in gifted and talented children. The remaining positions are for psychologists from all backgrounds.

The Science Policy Fellowship sponsors one psychologist to work as a special assistant in an executive branch research funding/policy office (e.g., Office of Science and Technology Policy or National Institutes of Health).

Prospective Fellows for both programs must demonstrate competence in scientific psychology, display sensitivity toward policy issues, and have a strong interest in applying psychological knowledge to national science policy issues. An applicant must be a Member of APA (or an applicant for membership) and have a doctorate in psychology, with a minimum of 2 years and 5 years, respectively, postdoctoral experience for the Congressional and Science Policy Fellowships.

Both fellowships are for 1 year beginning September 1, 1997. The Congressional Fellowship stipend is $39,000, plus $3,000 for relocation to the Washington, DC, area and for travel expenses. Applicants with a minimum of 10 years of postdoctoral experience will be considered for a stipend supplement of $10,000. The Science Policy Fellowship stipend is $47,000, plus $3,000 for relocation to the Washington, DC, area and for travel expenses. Final selection of Fellows will be made in April 1997.

Interested psychologists should submit the following materials by December 2, 1996: (1) a detailed vita; (2) a statement of approximately 1,000 words addressing the applicant's interests in the fellowship and career goals, contributions the applicant believes he or she can make as a psychologist to the science policy or legislative (depending on Fellowship) process, and what the applicant wants to learn from the experience; and (3) three letters of reference specifically addressing the applicant's ability to work on Capitol Hill as a legislative assistant or as a special assistant for science policy in an executive branch agency.

For more information about the Congressional Fellowship Program, please contact Brian D. Smedley, PhD (202/336-6066, bds.apa@email.apa.org), or Charles Barone, PhD (202/336-5945, cxb.apa@email.apa.org), in the Public Policy Office. For more informtion about the Science Policy Fellowship, contact Patricia Kobor in APA's Public Policy Office (pck.apa@email.apa.org).

Application materials should be sent to:

APA Fellowship Program
Public Policy Office
750 First St., NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242