Become a Fellow: AAAS Congressional and Executive Branch: Policy on Ethics

AAAS Ethics Statement

The AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships have built an exceptional reputation for providing high-quality Fellows who learn firsthand about the policy process and make valuable contributions to the congressional and executive branch offices in which they serve. Maintaining the program's reputation, integrity, and educational purpose is the responsibility of AAAS, the sponsoring societies, the Fellows, and the congressional and executive branch offices in which they work.

To this end, Fellows are required to be free agents who make their own choices of the offices in which they serve, subject to the agreement of the office and the ethics committee rulings of that Chamber or Agency. Fellows may not provide special considerations of any kind to their sponsoring societies, AAAS, its affiliated organizations, or any entity contributing to the Fellow’s income or supporting the Fellow in any way. To maintain the integrity of the AAAS Fellowships, as well as to underscore that the fellowship is a learning experience, the Fellow’s responsibility is to the congressional or executive branch office in which s/he works and the ethics rules guiding that office. It is important that Fellows adhere to this principle and avoid any conflict of interest or even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

It is the responsibility of AAAS, a Fellow’s sponsoring society, its affiliated organizations, or any entity contributing to the Fellow’s income or supporting the Fellow in any way, to avoid creating conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest with respect to their Fellows in accordance with House and Senate Ethics Committee rules for Congressional Fellows, and executive branch agency ethics rules for Executive Branch Fellows.

Ethics Guidelines

Service in Governance or Policy Committee Positions

Congressional Fellows serving in board or policy committee positions with any organizations that conduct outreach or advocacy to policy makers must discontinue such involvement for the duration of the fellowship.

Executive Branch Fellows in board or policy committee positions with any organizations that conduct outreach or advocacy to policy makers should receive clearance from their host office/agency to continue that involvement. If the activity is not approved, the Fellow must discontinue such involvement for the duration of the fellowship.

Research Collaborations or Appointments

All AAAS Fellows involved in research collaborations or any appointments, with or without government support or remuneration, must receive approval from their host office and related ethics committee to continue that involvement. If the activity is not approved, the Fellow must take a hiatus from such involvement for the duration of the fellowship.

Speaking Engagements & Publishing

All AAAS Fellows invited to give presentations must receive approval from their office to give the presentation and for the time off for the event. Fellows who publish on work involved in their fellowship or who identify themselves in publications as affiliated with any congressional office or government agency must receive prior permission from their host office and related ethics committee.

Honoraria from External Parties

All AAAS Fellows offered honoraria for speaking engagements, service on committees, editorial review boards, and such activities must receive clearance from their host office and related ethics committee to accept the payment.