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 2024-2025 ACS Science Policy Fellowships are now closed.

Fellowships start in September; however, the Congressional Fellowship start date may be delayed until January at the Fellow’s request.

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.

For more information, visit the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships website.

Steve Feldgus (Congressional Fellow, 2003-2004) and Emily Lewis (Congressional Fellow 2014-2015) with Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA).
Steve Feldgus (Congressional Fellow, 2003-2004) and Emily Lewis (Congressional Fellow 2014-2015) with Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA).

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 
  • green chemistry
  • environmental policy, and 
  • regulatory policy

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 federal agencies. SPFs also conducts a unique fellowship project based on their interests.

Chris Yarosh (Science Policy Fellow 2016-2018) takes a break from meetings at the National Academy of Sciences.
Chris Yarosh (Science Policy Fellow 2016-2018) takes a break from meetings at the National Academy of Sciences.

Find out More about the ACS Policy Fellowship Experience 

December 2021 ACS Public Policy Fellowship Q&A

Vimeo ID: 657890200


February 2021 Podcast: Virtual "coffee" with the fellows

Contact ACS Policy Fellowship

congfellow@acs.org