Fellowship Areas: AAAS Environmental Fellowships

Program:	Fellows spend one year, beginning in September, at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, DC, working on an array of projects relating to science, policy and the environment. The program is coordinated by EPA's National Center for Environmental Research within the Office of Research and Development. Fellows at EPA will work in offices throughout the Agency on projects of mutual interest to the Fellows and the hosting offices. The program includes an orientation on congressional and executive branch operations, with special emphasis on environmental issues, and a year-long seminar series on topics relating to science, technology and public policy.
Purpose:	The fellowship program is designed to provide an opportunity to: learn first-hand how scientific and technological information is used in environmental policy-making; to provide a unique public policy learning experience; to demonstrate the value of science, technology, and economics in addressing societal problems; and to make practical contributions to the more effective use of scientific and technical knowledge in the programs of the U.S. government.
Criteria:	Prospective Fellows must: have a PhD or an equivalent doctoral-level degree by the application deadline and must show exceptional competence in some area of science or engineering related to the environment; have an excellent scientific or technical background; and have a strong interest and some experience in applying scientific or other professional knowledge toward the identification and assessment of future environmental problems. Fellows are expected to be critical thinkers who are articulate, adaptable and able to work with a variety of people from different professional backgrounds. Applications are invited from individuals in any physical, biological or social science, any field of engineering or any relevant interdisciplinary field. Individuals with a master's degree in engineering and at least three years of post-degree professional experience may apply. Federal employees are not eligible for the fellowships. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Award:	In cooperation with EPA, AAAS selects approximately 10 Fellows each year. The fellowships are one-year appointments, potentially renewable for a second year. Annual stipends will begin at approximately $65,000 for the 2007-2008 fellowship year, with allowances for health insurance, relocation and professional travel. The continuation of this program is contingent upon the availability of funds.

The mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment - air, water and land - upon which life depends.

EPA's interests and jurisdictions are wide ranging. Fellows will be placed in one of the Washington, DC, offices, and can work on any environmentally relevant issue that is within the jurisdiction of EPA. Some current and emerging priorities and needed skill sets include the following:

• ecosystem health;
• human and environmental risk assessments;
• nanotechnology;
• computational toxicology;
• drinking water contaminates;
• biological stressors such as genetically modified organisms;
• invasive species and habitat loss;
• development of risk assessment methods and techniques;
• global environmental hazards;
• pollution prevention; sustainability;
• community-based solutions;
• industrial hygiene;
• risk communication and risk science;
• environmental socioeconomic concerns;
• ultra-fine particles in air;
• pesticides, including biologicals;
• municipal waste water;
• management and control of hazardous substances;
• chemical testing and assessment; and
• innovative technologies, such as green technologies.

Applicants are urged to browse EPA's web site and the EPA Strategic Plan for additional insights and ideas.

In the past, Fellows have been placed in:

• the Office of Air Policy Analysis and Review,
• the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air,
• the Office of Atmospheric Programs,
• the Office of Water,
• the Office of Children's Health Protection,
• the Office of Environmental Policy Innovation,
• the National Center for Environmental Assessment,
• the National Center for Environmental Research,
• the Office of Science Coordination and Policy,
• the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances,
• the Technology Innovation Office,
• the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response,
• the Office of International Affairs, and
• the Office of Pesticide Programs.

Web site: www.epa.gov

For more fellowship information please go to the application page.

Please note that the deadline for all programs is 20 December of each year. If, after reading the material on this site, you have questions, please feel free to contact us.