Fellowships

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Executive Branch Fellowships | Congressional Fellowships | Application Requirements
Current and Former Fellow Bios | Washington Update

SRCD is seeking applications for the upcoming Policy Fellowships for the 2008-2009 term. There are currently two types of Fellowships: Congressional and Executive Branch. Both Fellowships provide exciting opportunities for researchers to come to Washington, DC and use developmental science outside of the academic setting to inform public policy. These fellowships are open to doctoral scientists from any discipline relevant to child development, and both early and mid-career professionals are encouraged to apply. The goals of the fellowships are: (1) to contribute to the effective use of scientific knowledge about child development in the formation of public policy ; (2) to educate the scientific community about the development of public policy; and (3) to establish a more effective liaison between developmental scientists and the Federal policy-making mechanisms.

SRCD Fellows are members of the Science and Technology Fellowship Programs of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), which includes Fellows from a variety of scientific disciplines. Following a two-week science policy orientation program sponsored by AAAS, as well as a brief orientation to child development and public policy sponsored by SRCD, Fellows begin work as resident scholars within their Federal agency or Congressional office placements. Both Fellowships run from September 1st through August 31st of the following year. Under some circumstances, Congressional fellowships may be extended four months to the end of the legislative session, and Executive Branch fellowships may be renewed for one year at the agency’s and Fellow’s discretion. Staff in the SRCD Office for Policy and Communications in Washington work to facilitate the Fellows' experience and are available as a resource throughout the year. SRCD hosts monthly seminars for its Fellows.

Congressional Fellowships in Child Development
Executive Branch Policy Fellowships in Child Development

The Fellowship Experience: What It Means for Your Career
SRCD Policy Fellows take different career paths following their Fellowship experience. Approximately 50% of Fellows in both programs begin or return to careers in academia following the fellowship, with strengthened academic credentials in policy-relevant research. In addition, they go on to teach students about the complex issues involved in bridging science and policy. Some have remained in Washington and are continuing to work in public policy and/or research settings both in government and in the private sector. For example, Fellows have gone on to work at Federal agencies such as the Institute for Education Sciences, the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Drug Abuse, and the Administration for Children and Families. Yet others have moved into non-profit and private organizations such as the Foundation for Child Development, and the Brookings Institution, research firms, or private consulting.

Which fellowship should I apply for?
Both fellowships provide scholars with a unique opportunity to work in the junction between developmental science and public policy. Fellows in both the Congressional and Executive Branch fellowships have opportunities to learn about the policy-making process. Both branches are involved with legislation, regulatory policy, and Federal programs that affect children and families. However, different skills are enhanced by each fellowship.

For a better understanding of how the two Fellowship programs differ, read what former Fellows have said about their experience in the Executive Branch Fellowship and the Congressional Fellowship.

Who should apply?
Both SRCD Fellowships are designed for scholars from a variety of backgrounds and scientific disciplines. Just as SRCD itself is an interdisciplinary organization, our Fellows are similarly interdisciplinary in their research areas. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional competence in an area of child development research. It is a requirement of the Fellowship Programs that applicants must have a doctoral-level degree in any discipline (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D., M.D., J.D., DSW) no later than June preceding the fellowship (there are no exceptions). However, the Fellowship Programs are a training opportunity suited for individuals throughout their career development. Both early- and mid-career applicants are encouraged to apply.

Additional Application Requirements
Applicants to the Fellowship Program must be a member of SRCD (by the time of beginning fellowship), and must be a U.S. citizen.

Applicants must submit:

• Complete application cover sheet
• Statement of interest (1,000-word maximum; no exceptions) that describes the basis for the applicant's interest in the Fellowship and what is hoped to be gained from the Fellowship experience. For Congressional Fellowships, applicants should include a brief statement about the contributions the applicant believes that research can make to the legislative process. For Executive Branch Fellowships, applicants should not indicate which agencies appear to be the best match to their interests within their statement of interest; rather, this should be only on the cover page.
• Current C.V.
• Three letters of recommendation
• Additional materials will not be considered.

In all applications, please specify for which fellowship you are applying in both the cover sheet and your statement of interest. It is recommended that you apply for the fellowship best suited to your interests and goals. However, some applicants may choose to apply for both fellowships. In that situation, applicants should submit a separate application, including separate Statement of Interest, for each.

Application postmark deadline is December 15, 2007. Application materials must be mailed in one package. Letters of recommendation should be included, in separate envelopes that are signed across the seal. Do not fax or E-mail applications. Send applications to: Fellowship Selection Committee, SRCD Office for Policy and Communications, 1313 L Street, NW, Suite 140, Washington, DC 20005. Direct inquiries to: Phone: (202) 289-7903; E-mail: akranz@srcd.org.

Read Bios of Current and Former Fellows

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