The AIP State Department Science Fellowship Program
"We still have far too few officers with strong science backgrounds, but thanks to the National Academies and others in the scientific community such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Institute of Physics and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a small group of scientific fellows have joined our ranks, and their number will grow...Scientists, volunteers have graciously put their own research on hold, stopped their own work, their own life, to perform tours of duty in many of the State Department's bureaus, and they are making a real difference. And we look forward to welcoming more scientists on to our State Department team, either as fellows or as career Foreign Service Officers or Civil Service Officers."
Secretary of State Colin Powell, speech to the National Academy of Sciences
 Purpose
In a report dated May 15, 2000, the State Department "recognizes the growing significance of science and technology based issues in foreign policy and is aware that this trend will continue and accelerate. The Department is determined to do what is necessary to respond to this challenge and to meet its responsibilities in this area..."
In response to this challenge, the American Institute of Physics collaborated with the Department of State, and with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, to establish an AIP State Department Science Fellowship program. Under this program, AIP will sponsor at least one Fellow annually to spend a year working in a bureau or office of the State Department. This is an opportunity for a scientist to provide scientific and technical expertise to the Department, and help raise awareness of the value of scientific input, while learning about and contributing to the foreign policy process.
The American Astronomical Society generously provides an annual contribution to the AIP State department Fellowship. AIP invites other professional societies with an interest in collaborating or sponsoring a similar program to contact us for information or discussion.
Read about the Fellowship's successful first four years...
Background
An October 1999 National Research Council report found that "Issues involving science, technology, and health (STH) have moved to the forefront of the international diplomatic agenda.... STH aspects play a large role in discussions of such critical topics as nuclear nonproliferation, use of outer space, population growth, adequate and safe food supply, climate change, infectious diseases, energy resources, and competitiveness of industrial technologies.... In addressing these issues, expert STH knowledge is essential to the anticipation and resolution of problems and to the achievement of foreign policy goals." The report continues, "The Department [of State] needs the capability to understand how technological factors influence political and economic developments."
A May 2000 State Department response identified a number of steps to improve its science capacity, including seeking "to identify individuals in academia and the private sector who could be brought in on a non-career basis to meet particular requirements for S&T qualified personnel," possibly via fellowship programs sponsored by scientific societies.
In a spirit of public service, AIP has joined with the State Department to implement such a Fellowship program. Specifics of the AIP State Department Science Fellowship program are provided below:
Qualifications
Requirements include a PhD in physics or a closely related field. In exceptional cases, the PhD requirement may be waived for applicants with equivalent research experience. Fellows are required to be U.S. citizens, and members of one or more of the 10 AIP Member Societies at time of application. Applicants should possess familiarity with, interest or experience in the scientific or technical aspects of foreign policy. We are seeking candidates with excellent scientific credentials, outstanding interpersonal and communications skills, sound judgment, and maturity in decision-making.
In general, current Executive Branch employees are not eligible to serve as AIP State Department Science Fellows while continuing to hold their original federal appointment.
Fellowship term
The Fellowship term is for one year. During their term, Fellows are expected to work full-time at their Fellowship position. Requests to extend the term to a second year will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Once the Fellow is selected, arrangements will be made with the State Department to obtain a security clearance. The Fellow will also be required to attend a two-week September orientation sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He or she will interview with interested bureaus in the State Department to choose an assignment.
As the Fellowship is intended primarily as a learning experience for scientists, Fellows do not have to select assignments in their field of expertise but, depending on available openings at the Department, can choose to pursue other areas of interest to them. AIP has no role in selecting the Fellow’s assignment, and the Fellow does not act as a representative of AIP during his or her term. Payment of the Fellowship stipend is contingent upon the Fellow’s receipt of an appropriate security clearance, participation in the AAAS orientation, and reaching agreement with the State Department on a suitable assignment.
Benefits
AIP will provide a stipend of $55,000 per year, plus allowances toward relocation, in-service travel to scientific meetings, and health insurance premiums. Other costs associated with the Fellow's assignment will be paid by the Fellow's host bureau in the State Department, including security clearance proceedings.
Scientists at all career stages, including mid- and late-career professionals, are encouraged to apply. Although the Fellowship is a full-time position, arrangements to supplement the Fellowship stipend by continuing to receive salary from an employer while taking a sabbatical or leave of absence to serve as Fellow may be worked out on a case-by-case basis.
How to apply
To apply, candidates should submit the materials requested below. All application materials must be submitted by November 1 of the year prior to the Fellowship term that is being applied for. Fellowship terms generally begin in the early Fall, and are for twelve months. Finalists will be interviewed in person several months after the November 1 deadline, usually early in the next year. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The following materials are needed:
1. Cover sheet, indicating:
- name, address, phone, email
- names of references
- U.S. citizenship
- PhD status
- AIP Society membership(s)
- Please indicate where you learned about the Fellowship program.
2. Letter of intent, limited to 2 pages, providing information regarding:
- reason for applying
- scientific training and professional background
- foreign policy interest and experience
- attributes and experience that would make the applicant effective in this position.
3. Resume, limited to 2 pages. Please include no more than 3-5 major publications.
4. Three letters of reference from those having direct knowledge of the applicant's character, professional competence, and particular attributes or experience that would enhance the candidate's suitability for this position. Please use standard 8.5" x 11" stationery, single-sided, unstapled, with reasonable font and margins. Applicants should arrange to have the letters of reference sent directly to the address below.
Send all application materials (posted by the November 1 deadline) to:
AIP State Department Science Fellowship
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740-3843
ATTN: Fellowship Coordinator, Department of Media and Government Relations
Fellows
Additional information:
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