Congressional Science Fellowship
The APS Congressional Science Fellowship places a physicist in a U.S. Congressional office for a year to provide scientific expertise and gain experience in science policy and legislative work.
Funder: American Physical Society
Due Dates (Anticipated): November 2026 (full application, projected) | March 2027 (portal window end, projected)
Funding Amounts: $91,000 stipend for one year, plus relocation, professional travel, and health insurance allowances
Summary: A year-long fellowship placing a physicist in a U.S. Congressional office to provide scientific expertise and gain policy experience.
Key Information: This is a forecasted grant; all deadlines are projected and may change.
Description
The American Physical Society (APS) Congressional Science Fellowship provides an opportunity for a physicist or closely related scientist to spend a year working as a legislative staffer in the U.S. Congress. The Fellow serves from September through August, bringing scientific and technical expertise to congressional offices or committees, and gains firsthand experience in national policy-making. The program aims to bridge the gap between science and policy, fostering skills in legislative analysis, negotiation, and science communication, while building a network of leaders in government, academia, industry, and nonprofits. The fellowship includes a two-week orientation in Washington, D.C., followed by a placement process to match the Fellow with a congressional office.
