New FASEB Advocacy Fellowship Trains Next Generation of Leaders
It is increasingly important for scientists to engage directly with elected representatives, policymakers, and the broader public. Skills development in this area is rarely included in graduate school curricula and is unlike most scientific communication. To address this gap, FASEB launched the Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship in 2023. The program is designed to develop the next generation of leaders for FASEB and other scientific professional societies.
The Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship offers researchers at all career stages (including graduate students admitted to PhD candidacy) a cohort model experience that provides virtual instruction and experience in advocacy, science policy, science communications, leadership development, and career exploration outside academia. Howard Garrison Fellows engage in approximately 60 hours of virtual and in-person content, including in-person participation in FASEB’s annual Science Policy Symposium and Capitol Hill Day in Washington, DC. Travel support for the in-person events is provided by FASEB. Fellows also complete FASEB’s Introduction to Science Policy and Advocacy short course offering an overview of key steps in policy and legislative development, case studies applying concepts from the curriculum to current events, and stepwise assignments to assess comprehension of course information.
Applications for the second cohort of fellows are due by July 15. Fellows will be notified of their selection in early August and begin their fellowship in September 2024. The program will conclude in June 2025. To be eligible to participate, applicants must be a member of a FASEB Full Member society and working or studying in the United States (U.S citizenship not required). Fellows who successfully meet the program’s minimum time and participation commitment will receive a Certificate of Completion and be well-qualified for future participation in scientific society and other advocacy programs. FASEB highly encourages applications from individuals from historically underrepresented groups within the life sciences community.
Interested individuals must apply online. Additional information, including a list of FAQs, the program schedule, and testimonials from current fellows Haily Traxler and Jazmine Benjamin, are also available. Questions about the program can be emailed to FASEB Member Support.