Congressional Fellowships
The application deadline for both of Optica's 2023-2024 Congressional Fellowships has passed. Application deadline and process for the 2024-2025 Congressional Fellowships has not yet been announced.
Congressional Fellowships are designed to provide a unique public policy learning experience, demonstrate the value of science-government interaction and bring technical backgrounds and external perspectives to the decision-making process in the U.S. Congress. Fellows spend one year working in Washington, D.C. as special legislative assistants on the staff of a member of Congress or congressional committee, beginning in September.
This program, as well as many other fellowship programs, is facilitated by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and includes an orientation on congressional and executive branch operations and a year-long seminar program on issues involving science, technology and public policy.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. by the start of the program (September).
Qualifications and Application Requirements:
Previous Webinars Available for Viewing
Congressional Fellowship Q&A Information Session - FiO Conference 02 November 2021
2022-2023 Congressional Fellows:
Optica/MRS Congressional Fellow: Sindhu Nathan
Arthur H. Guenther Congressional Fellow: Clara Tibbetts
Read more about the Congressional Fellowship experience
Optics and Photonics News has done several articles about the Congressional Fellowship:
If you would like to speak to an Optica representative about these programs, please contact:
Brandy Dillingham
Government Relations Manager
Office: +1.202.416.1409
E-mail: bdillingham@optica.org