What it is: As the ANS Congressional Fellow, you will be one of nearly 30 scientists and engineers participating annually in the Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship Program under the umbrella of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). More than 2,000 have served as Fellows on Capitol Hill since the inception of the AAAS program in 1973. ANS initiated its program in 2000. The ANS Congressional Fellowship term runs from January through December each year.
The Fellow receives a stipend of $80,000, payable in monthly installments over 12 months, plus up to $5,000 in travel reimbursement for expenses related to attending the AAAS orientation in August/September prior to the official start date and the two ANS national meetings in June and November of the fellowship year. Any expenses above these are the responsibility of the Fellow.
What you’ll do: As the ANS Congressional Fellow, you will have an opportunity to work either in a U.S. senator's or representative's personal office or on a Senate or a House committee, becoming a direct contributor to the federal policymaking process. Along with providing Congress with expertise in nuclear science and technology, the Fellow will support other issues of importance. In return, the Fellow will gain a better understanding of how the legislative process works. Often the year as a “Beltway insider” results in a new career direction.
Snouffer
Take it from a Fellow: “Starting the fellowship at the beginning of a new administration and a new majority in the Senate means there is a lot of momentum around a new agenda, especially when it comes to climate and energy policy,” said current Fellow Patrick Snouffer, who works in the office of Sen. Tina Smith (D., Minn.). “As a Fellow, I really enjoy being involved in these policy discussions as the policy is being crafted instead of just reading about them.”