ACS Public Policy Fellowship Programs
The ACS offers two Public Policy Fellowships:
The ACS Congressional Fellowship is a one-year opportunity. Two ACS members per year are placed on Capitol Hill as part of the larger, AAAS-administered program.
The ACS Science Policy Fellowship is a one-year opportunity that is renewable for a second year. One Science Policy Fellow position is available at a time.
Applications for the 2026-2027 Public Policy Fellowships are now closed. The next application cycle will open in Fall 2026.
ACS Congressional Fellowship
The ACS Congressional Fellowship Program places two fellows each year as staff members in the office of a Senator, Representative, or Committee.
As part of a broader effort administered by AAAS that places more than 30 scientists per year in Congress, the program has two main goals:
- to provide policy-makers with high quality information on science-related issues and
- to educate scientists on how government works and how science policy is made.
Fellows work on the Congressional staff of their choice; placement support is provided by ACS and AAAS. Fellows typically serve as legislative assistants, advising on a range of science policy issues and interacting with constituents. Fellowships start in September; however, the Congressional Fellowship start date may be delayed until January at the Fellow’s request.
For more information, visit the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships website.
ACS Science Policy Fellowship
The ACS Science Policy Fellowship Program places one Science Policy Fellow (SPF) with the ACS Government Affairs team for 1-2 years. The SPF works with experienced Government Affairs staff on areas of importance to the chemistry enterprise, including:
- federal funding for scientific research
- science, technology, engineering and math education and workforce
- sustainability and environmental policy
- the role of science in the policy arena
The SPF also supports ACS' member-driven policy development process and encourages members to engage with their elected officials and other policymakers.
SPFs gain a deeper understanding of how scientists and scientific organizations participate in public affairs through broad exposure to a range of policy topics and stakeholders. SPFs also conducts a unique fellowship project based on their interests.
