The Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program is a full-time hands-on training and educational program that provides early career individuals with the opportunity to spend 12 weeks at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Washington, DC learning about science and technology policy and the role that scientists and engineers play in advising the nation. This Mirzayan Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to obtain the essential skills and knowledge needed to work in science policy at the federal, state, or local levels.

The goals of the Mirzayan Fellowship are to help Fellows:

• Deepen their understanding of science and technology policy;
• Discover new career paths that engage both science and policy communities;
• Understand the role that scientists and engineers play in advising the nation by working closely with a mentor within the National Academies;
• Expand their perception of how the science and technology ecosystem operates in Washington, DC by attending meetings and policy-related activities outside of the National Academies;
• Obtain essential skills and knowledge needed to work in science policy at the federal, state, or local levels; and
• Build a network of Fellows and program alumni who will stay connected with each other and with the Academies.

Participation in the Mirzayan Fellowship provides the opportunity to:

• Explore a new career path and develop professional skills;
• Learn how scientific research gets translated into federal policy;
• Understand how the federal government operates and the role that the National Academies play through advice-making and convening activities;
• Experience Washington, D.C. firsthand and build a network of science and technology policy experts; and
• Participate in a robust cohort experience and join an active alumni community.

We are seeking early-career scientists, engineers, and medical professionals and/or late-stage graduate students with a strong interest in science and technology policy work. International students already based in the United States and individuals with under-represented backgrounds in the sciences, engineering, and medicine are encouraged to apply. We highly encourage those with strong interest but little experience in policy to apply.

Applicants will not be discriminated against based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Mirzayan Fellowship is open to applicants who meet the following criteria:

• Able to attend the full 12-week program in-person in Washington, D.C. from March 4 – May 24, 2024.
• Are one of the following:
• Current graduate, postdoctoral, or professional school student pursuing a terminal degree (e.g., Ph. D, M.D., etc.) in any discipline within the sciences, engineering, or medicine (including the social sciences);OR
• Have obtained their terminal degree or completed post-doctoral/medical doctor training within the last five (5) years in any discipline within the sciences, engineering, or medicine (including the social sciences). Note: Applicants who exceed this limit due to caregiving leave or military service can still apply.
• Are based in the United States and do not require visa sponsorship from the National Academies in order to remain in the U.S. during the program dates.

To apply for the Mirzayan Fellowship please fill out our online application form by following these steps:

1. Set up an account on our online application platform by clicking the Register button at the top right of this page. If you have applied before, use the Login button.
2. Review the 2024 Mirzayan Fellowship Application Preview document to understand the application requirements.
3. Review the list of Prospective Program Units and select up to five that are of interest to you.
4. Prepare your application materials, including:
• Short Bio (maximum 250 words)
• Short CV (maximum 3 pages, PDF)
• Preferred program units (Choose 5)
• Two references, which demonstrate how you fulfill the selection criteria outlined in the Selection Process section below. (maximum 2 pages per letter, PDF).
• Note: We recommend that current graduate students include one letter from an academic advisor who knows them well and can confirm the anticipated degree completion date.</em
• Statement of Interest (maximum 500 words)
5. Notify your referees. Provide their email address in your application as soon as possible to maximize their time to submit. Note: Mailed reference letters will not be accepted.
6. Submit your application materials via our online application platform by October 16, 11:59 pm. Note: All application materials must be complete and submitted via our online form to be considered.

The Mirzayan Fellowship selection process is a merit-based, open competition based on applications generated by interested individuals. After the deadline, alumni and staff readers will review all eligible applications. Following this review, prospective mentors will be invited to review applicant materials, focusing on applicants who selected their host unit as one of their five preferred placements. Semi-finalists selected by each mentor will participate in virtual interviews with program staff and prospective mentors before final placements are made.

The following criteria will be used to evaluate eligible applications and must be addressed by your essay and/or reference letters:

• Demonstrated interest science and technology policy;
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively in a professional team;
• Alignment between personal/professional goals and the scope of the program;
• Ability to take a self-directed approach to networking and engagement with policy experts within and outside of the National Academies; and
• Suitability for one or more of the available mentor units.

International students already based in the United States and individuals with under-represented backgrounds in the sciences, engineering, and medicine are encouraged to apply. Applicants with limited previous experience working in Washington, D.C. and/or the federal government will be prioritized. Candidates deviating significantly from the expected profile must demonstrate a reasonable case for consideration through their submitted application.

What are the National Academies?
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine work together to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academy of Sciences was created in 1863 by a congressional charter approved by President Abraham Lincoln. Under this charter, the National Research Council was established in 1916, the National Academy of Engineering in 1964, and the Institute of Medicine in 1970. We are a private, non-governmental organization and do not receive direct federal appropriations for our work.

The majority of the studies carried out by the National Academies are conducted at the request of government agencies. However, many studies are privately funded. Most of our work is conducted through seven major programs. Learn more by watching this video about National Academies’ Impact and Mission.

What is the Mirzayan Fellowship?
The Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program (Mirzayan Fellowship) is a 12-week training and educational program taking place in Washington, D.C. at the National Academies’ Keck Center offices. It is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), hands-on training and educational experience designed to engage Fellows in the process that informs science and technology policy through a placement within one of National Academies’ program units. By participating in this program, you will develop the basic skills and know-how essential to working or participating in science policy at the federal, state, or local level.

Who was Christine Mirzayan?
Christine Mirzayan was a Fellow in the second year of the Policy Fellowship Program and was assigned to the Center for Education. She had recently finished her PhD from the University of California in San Francisco and had been selected as a 1998 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Congressional Fellow.

At UCSF, her research focused on the development of the vertebrate nervous system. In particular, she analyzed the molecular mechanism by which diffusible cues guide the migration of developing axons. While at UCSF, she found that although she enjoyed basic research, she was increasingly interested in the role that science plays in society and looked forward to a career that would allow her to utilize her scientific knowledge to address the political and social problems facing our nation.

Tragically, she was unable to reach that goal when she lost her life during the last week of the Policy Fellowship Program. The National Academy of Sciences has renamed the program in her honor.

To learn more about Christine Mirzayan, please visit these sites:

• University of California San Francisco Library, SYNAPSE - THE UCSF STUDENT NEWSPAPER, VOLUME 43, NUMBER 1, 20 AUGUST 1998
• UCSF Today Archives

What do Mirzayan Fellows do?
As a full-time, hands-on program experience, the Mirzayan Fellowship exposes Fellows to a broad range of activities both inside and outside of National Academies, including:

• Working closely with a mentor in your assigned program unit;
• Participating in a weekly guest speaker series;
• Completing a science and technology policy assignment;
• Networking and attending Fellowship receptions and external events; and
• Building community with other cohort members.

Does the Fellowship provide a stipend or other funding?
Yes, the Mirzayan Fellowship provides a stipend of $11,000 to offset living expenses during the Fellowship period. The stipend is paid out in one installment during the first week of the program. Additionally, the program covers roundtrip transportation expenses (i.e., airfare, bus fare, or mileage) for Fellows to travel from their U.S.-based residence to Washington, D.C. The Mirzayan Fellowship does not fund research-related activities, award scholarships, or provide financial aid assistance of any kind. Fellows are not considered employees, as they are placed within the National Academies for a short-term educational training experience.

Is the Mirzayan Fellowship an in-person or virtual program?
The Mirzayan Fellowship is an in-person program held primarily at the National Academies’ Keck Center in downtown Washington, D.C. All required Fellowship sessions (e.g., orientation, weekly guest speakers, networking receptions, etc.) will be held in-person. However, many employees of the National Academies are currently working in a hybrid setting. Therefore, you will be expected to follow the hybrid work norms of your assigned unit for all program work.

What program unit will I work with during the Fellowship?
Please see the Prospective Units for a listing of all the program units that are accepting fellows next year. Look at the web page for each unit to gain an understanding of unit activities and active studies. In your application, you may apply for up to 5 units, and we strongly encourage you to select the maximum number.

Can I miss orientation or do a shortened fellowship?
No. Acceptance to the program is contingent upon attending orientation in its entirety, and Fellows must complete the full 12-week term and be available to start their fellowship on the first scheduled day of orientation. Any request for scheduled leave (personal or professional) during the term of the fellowship must be approved by program staff and the mentor host unit.

Where can I find more information about housing during the fellowship
Fellows are responsible for obtaining housing during the fellowship period. Program alumni suggest searching Craigslist, Airbnb, and Facebook Marketplace for housing opportunities. In addition, many universities in Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland offer suggestions for off-campus housing. Program alumni recommend visiting the Georgetown University, George Washington University, and American University websites.

A housing guide will also be sent out following selection, which will include more details and suggestions for finding short-term housing in DC.

Can undergraduates apply for the Program?
No. The program is for graduate students, postdoctoral students, and professional school students (e.g, Master's, JD, MD, PhD) or recent graduates (i.e., within the past 5 years).

Can graduate students apply for the Program?
Yes. Current graduate, postdoctoral, or professional school students pursuing a terminal degree (e.g., Ph. D, M.D., etc.) in any discipline within the sciences, engineering, or medicine (including the social sciences) are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to students in the last two years of their terminal degree.

Can I apply if I've completed my terminal degree?
Yes. If you completed your graduate studies (degree awarded) within the last 5 years, you are eligible to apply.

Are the social sciences considered as a "science"?
Yes, social scientists are welcome to apply.

Can law and business students in professional programs apply?
Yes. Given the importance of science and technology today, students in professional schools undoubtedly benefit from exposure to science and technology policy issues.

Can active-duty military officers apply?
Yes. However, there may be some limitations of which program units you can be placed with, and you will need to complete additional conflict of interest review steps. Please contact us at MirzayanFellowship@nas.edu so we can discuss your specific situation.

I have applied for the Mirzayan Fellowship before. Can I re-use my application?
Returning applicants are welcome to re-apply for the Fellowship but must submit a new application. Application materials do not carry over from session to session, and incomplete applications will not be considered.

How many references do I need?
Two online references are required to complete the application process. References must be relevant to your academic, professional, volunteer, or other related experience. You will not be able to submit your application until both references have been received. Mailed or emailed reference letters will not be accepted.

How will my referees be notified?
Once you complete the reference section of the application and provide your referees’ contact information, click on initiate email request, and an email will be sent to each referee. Be sure to provide your referees with as much time as possible to ensure that their reference is submitted before the application deadline.

What if I don’t see a program unit available in my area of expertise (e.g., molecular biology, cultural anthropology in Africa, etc.)?
While we try to place fellows in the units of their choice, the purpose of this Fellowship is to broaden the fellow's experience and provide opportunities to explore new areas. Professionals working in science and technology policy are often called upon to apply their research skills to engaging with new scientific areas, so we encourage prospective applicants to keep an open mind about working in areas outside of their specific field of study.

When will the prospective candidates be informed of their acceptance?
Candidates selected for interviews are generally notified within three to six weeks of the application deadline. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified when the selection process is complete (approximately two-three months after the application deadline).

Can international students apply?
International students based in the United States are encouraged to apply. However, we are not able to accept Fellows who are not based in the United States already per our eligibility requirements. Please note that the National Academies is not able to provide visa sponsorship and Fellows must have an immigration status that allows them to attend the full duration of the program dates.

Does the Fellowship Program have a citizenship requirement?
No. However, the Fellowship does not offer visa sponsorship, so applicants who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must hold one of the following visas covering the full program dates:

• F-1 Students using CPT (Curricular Practical Training)
• F-1 Students using OPT (Optional Practical Training)
• J-2 Dependents
• J-1 Students using academic training
• J-1 Research Scholars with written approval of their Responsible Officer
• DACA recipients
• Adjustment Applicants, Refugees, Asylees, and Selected other visa classes

Am I eligible if I have temporary worker status (H-1B or TN)?
No. The Mirzayan Fellowship is a fellowship award, not employment by the National Academies.