APS Public Policy Fellowship

Consider a Unique Opportunity to Impact Policy in DC as an APS Public Policy Fellow 

The APS PPB Policy Fellowship allows a plant pathologist to work at a high level of government (e.g., the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy) for 1 year. 

Duties 

Although the specific duties will be determined in conjunction with the hosting Federal agency, in general, the Fellow should expect to be responsible for engaging the Federal sector, the APS Public Policy Board, APS leadership and membership, and other scientific and stakeholder communities on identified issues. As applicable to the identified issues, the Fellow will provide coordination as well as cohesive and targeted action.  The Fellow should expect to provide research and assistance in the development of Federal policies, regulations, or priorities and in the organization of scientific meetings.  The Fellow will make it a priority to participate in the monthly Public Policy Board teleconferences, the PPB spring meeting in Washington, D.C., the PPB business meeting at the APS Annual Meeting, and selected public policy sessions at APS conferences or workshops throughout the period of the Fellowship. Upon completion of the fellowship, the Fellow will write an article for Phytopathology News outlining activities and the value of the Fellowship; provide a presentation in-person at the APS Annual Meeting and voice-over PowerPoint (to be posted on the APS website) on key activities covered during the Fellowship; as well as provide orientation to future Fellows


Applicants should be:

• APS members in good standing;
• In possession of PhD with all requirements completed;
• Post-doc to mid-career;
• Willing to undergo a background check and US government security clearance process, if necessary, and requested by the hosting agency; and
• US citizens. 

Interested plant pathologists should submit the following to Jan Leach (jan.leach@colostate.edu) and Kellye Eversole (eversole@eversoleassociates.com) in a single PDF file:

• A curriculum vitae;
• Names of three references (no letters);
• Statement of availability and timing for assuming the position if selected; and
• Short (i.e., maximum one-page) statement as to why he/she should be selected for the position.

A small group interview will be held with the top candidates. Final selection of the candidate will be upon approval by the hosting Federal agency. 

Financial Stipend

During the one-year period of the fellowship, APS will provide a Fellowship stipend comparable to that paid by other scientific societies. 

Questions
Contact Jan Leach (jan.leach@colostate.edu), Kellye Eversole (eversole@eversoleassociates.com) or Michelle Bjerkness (mbjerkness@scisoc.org) with additional questions.

2016:
Elizabeth Stulberg

The APS Public Policy Endowment is being developed to support the unique opportunity initiated by the APS Public Policy Board (PPB) by seeking support for a plant pathology fellow to spend several months in Washington D.C. The Public Policy Fellow will work with one or more Federal Agencies to provide expertise on policy activities related to plant and microbial biology, agricultural and life sciences, food safety, and related technology.

This effort was initiated by the APS Public Policy Board (PPB) in 2008, and at the 2011 APS Annual Meeting in Hawaii, the Foundation partnered with PPB to launch a bold $100,000 campaign for this endowment in recognition of the PPB founding members and its 20th anniversary. APS Council also pledged to match the first $50,000 in contributions to this fund, and this match was fully achieved.

 Donate to the Public Policy Endowment Fund!