Deadline: January 6, 2019
The American Psychological Association is inviting applications for its APA Congressional Fellowship Program.
Through the annual program, fellows spend one year working on the staff of a member of Congress or congressional committee. Activities may involve drafting legislation, conducting oversight work, assisting with congressional hearings and events, and preparing briefs and speeches. Fellows also attend a two-week orientation program on congressional and executive branch operations, which provides guidance for the congressional placement process, and participate in a yearlong seminar series on science and public policy issues. The American Association for the Advancement of Science administers these professional development activities for the APA fellows and for fellows sponsored by over two dozen other professional societies.
APA and the American Psychological Foundation will each sponsor up to two congressional fellows for a one-year appointment. The APA fellowship is open to all full APA members, but the APF fellowship was created to support psychologists with a background in developmental or clinical psychology and experience working directly with children.
Stipends for these fellowships range from $75,000 to $90,000, depending upon years of postdoctoral experience. In addition, the fellowship provides reimbursement for health insurance coverage and a $3,750 stipend for professional development and relocation expenses during the fellowship year.
To be eligible, applicants demonstrate competence in scientific and/or professional psychology; demonstrate sensitivity toward policy issues; have a strong interest in applying psychological knowledge to the solution of societal challenges; and be able to work quickly and communicate effectively on a wide variety of topics and be able to work cooperatively with individuals with diverse viewpoints.
In addition, applicants must be psychologists, members of APA, a member of APA (or applicant for membership), a U.S. citizen, and have a doctorate in psychology (from an APA accredited doctoral program and internship, if in the area of professional psychology) or related field by the application deadline.
See the APA website for complete program guidelines and application instructions.