Background

The AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Programs have played a significant role in bringing solid science to the deliberation of public policy issues in Washington. The AAAS Congressional Science and Engineering Fellows Program® began on Capitol Hill in 1973. The program was instantly successful and, in the ensuing years, eight other public policy Fellows' programs have been established by AAAS, serving a dozen federal agencies. Altogether, more than 1,500 scientists and engineers have spent a year in Washington bringing good science to government decision-making through the various fellowship programs. Their post-fellowship impact is evident throughout the government, as well as in academia, industry, and business.

Although only the Congressional Fellowship Program is 30 years old, the various AAAS executive branch programs are also included in the celebration, broadly recognizing AAAS' involvement in public policy fellowship programs over these decades. Several of the other programs have passed the 20-year mark, so they also have made their imprint on science policy in Washington.