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If you\u2019re interested in a career in science policy, you won\u2019t want to miss this unique opportunity to participate in an expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. for\u00a0Federal STEM Policy and Advocacy: An Inside the Beltway Look.<\/p>\n
Hosted by the Vanderbilt University Office of Federal Relations<\/a><\/strong> in partnership with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Office of Federal Relations, the BRET Office of Career Development ASPIRE Program, The Vanderbilt Graduate School, Vanderbilt University Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, the Russell G. Hamilton Graduate Leadership Institute, and the Vanderbilt University Career Center.<\/em><\/p>\n Application Deadline\u00a0Tuesday, August 30th at midnight<\/strong><\/p>\n This two-day event will provide Vanderbilt graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) an opportunity to learn how federal STEM policy is made and the role of advocacy by various stakeholders in achieving policy goals. Participants will hear from officials \u2013 including some VU alumni \u2013 who work in the Executive and Legislative branches of government as well as scientific societies, associations and coalitions who are actively engaged in influencing and promoting federal investments in science and engineering.<\/p>\n For STEM graduate students and postdocs thinking about careers in science policy or research advocacy, this behind-the-scenes look will provide insight to potential career opportunities.<\/p>\n If you are selected to attend, the ASPIRE travel award will cover the following trip-related expenses:<\/p>\n Attendees will be responsible for their ground transportation\/parking expenses in Nashville and Washington DC, as well as meals not included in the program or the hotel stay (this may be up to 4+ meals).<\/p>\n Washington DC has an excellent rail system, the Metro, which connects to the airport and has stops near the event hotel.<\/p>\n ASPIRE travel award recipients will be asked to participate in a survey about their experience and its impact on their career development.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Please note: The\u00a0Federal STEM Policy & Advocacy: An Insider the Beltway Look<\/em> is a cross-institutional program.\u00a0 The Graduate Leadership Institute (GLI) is sponsoring STEM graduate students affiliated with departments outside<\/em> the School of Medicine\/Basic Sciences (contact anna.thomas@vanderbilt.edu<\/a>). The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs is sponsoring STEM postdocs affiliated with departments outside<\/em> the School of Medicine\/VUMC (contact faith.t.bishop@vanderbilt.edu<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eligibility requirements<\/strong> ——->MS students must be in a terminal\u00a0research<\/u>\u00a0Master’s program and have completed one full year of graduate work at VU by the time of application. 2. Applicants must hold U.S. citizenship or dual citizenship between the US and another country.<\/p>\n 3. Applicants must be able to attend the full workshop in Washington, DC, on October 13-14, 2022; this will require departure from Nashville on October 12.<\/p>\n To complete your online application, you will need to upload the following items as pdfs:<\/strong> <\/p>\n How to Apply:<\/strong><\/p>\n Deadline to complete this online form and upload these documents: Tuesday, August 30th at midnight.<\/strong><\/p>\n Apply online at\u00a0https:\/\/www.surveymonkey.com\/r\/2022_STEM_Policy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read about the 2018 STEM Policy and Advocacy trip\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nFor biomedical sciences students and postdocs affiliated with\u00a0departments within the School of Medicine\/Basic Sciences (or VUMC postdocs)<\/strong>, this program is offered by the BRET Office of Career Development as part of the\u00a0ASPIRE program.<\/strong>\u00a0Qualifying biomedical sciences PhD students and postdoctoral fellows with an interest in\u00a0careers in science policy\/advocacy will\u00a0receive an\u00a0ASPIRE travel scholarship<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0covering\u00a0airfare and individual hotel accommodations.\u00a0The event agenda is still being developed and will be available on the\u00a0event’s VU\u00a0Office of Federal Relations website<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 (See the agenda from the last trip:\u00a02018-STEM Policy Agenda<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n
\n1. Applicants must be a current Vanderbilt University graduate student or postdoctoral fellow in a STEM field (Science\/quantitative Social Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).<\/p>\n
\n——->PhD students who entered graduate school through the IGP, QCB, CPB, MSTP, or IMSD must have\u00a0passed their qualifying exams before the application deadline.<\/p>\n
\n1) a current CV or resume highlighting academic accomplishments. leadership and service, and other experiences relevant to this event,
\n2) a letter of interest (300-400 words) describing your interest in the role of science in policy-making and advocacy, and what you hope to gain from such an experience, and
\n3) a brief description (300-400 words) of your graduate or postdoctoral research, as you would describe it to a\u00a0lay audience<\/strong>; for example, if you were going to describe it to a lawmaker.<\/p>\n