Become a Public Policy Fellow

Applications for the 2023-2024 Congressional and Science Policy Fellowships are closed.

The 2024-2025 cycle will reopen on November 15, 2023.

Program Qualifications

ACS solicits applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds within the chemical sciences, including academia, industry, and the nonprofit sector.

Review the Frequently Asked Questions to find more information.

Successful applicants must demonstrate:

  • Significant familiarity with the chemical sciences or engineering disciplines (e.g., a doctorate or a master’s degree and equivalent experience). 
    • All degree requirements must be completed before the fellowship start date.
  • A working understanding of the chemical community
  • Technical excellence as appropriate to career stage
  • Interest in the public policy process,
  •  Awareness of and sensitivity to the political, economic, and social factors that influence policy-makers
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including experience communicating effectively (public speaking and in writing) with non-technical audiences
  • Ability to multi-task and flexibility to address a broad range of science policy issues
  • Sound judgment and maturity in decision-making
  • Membership in ACS
  • U.S. citizenship is a not requirement. However, ACS will not provide any assistance in obtaining the necessary work permits and visas.

Application Instructions

The application cycle for the 2024-2025 Congressional and Science Policy Fellowships will open on November 15, 2023. 

Interviews are conducted in early spring. Offers are extended no later than April 30.  

The application package consists of:

  1. A resume detailing education, professional experience, and previous public policy experience and/or community involvement
  2. ACS membership number
  3. A brief Letter of Intent (no longer than three pages) described below
  4. Two Recommendation Letters described below
Letter of Intent

The fellowships are very competitive; applicants should ensure all qualifications, reasons for applying, areas of interest, and expected accomplishments are addressed in the letter of intent. Be sure to include:

  • Reasons for applying for the fellowship
  • Qualifications, including expertise, background, and any previous experience in public policy
  • Professional and civic activities
  • Policy areas or issues you are particularly interested in addressing
  • What you hope to accomplish as a fellow
  • How this fellowship fits into your long-term career goals
Recommendation Letters

Applicants will provide emails for their Recommendation Writers in the application. Recommendation Writers will receive instructions on how to submit their letter via email. 

  • Instructions for Letters of Recommendations

    Please read the information to review guidelines that could help to make your recommendation letter stand out.

    • Applicants designate their own letter writers while applying online.
    • Letter writers will receive an email from online fellowship application process with instructions for submission.
    • Recommendation letters must be uploaded before the application deadline.  
      • Please note: The Applicant will not be able to submit their application as final until two recommendation letters have been received.  The Applicant can monitor the status of the recommendation letters (“Pending” or “Complete”) in the application system.  Letter Writers are urged to not wait until the last moment to submit their Recommendations.
    • Reference the applicant's first and last name at the top of the letter.
    • The letter must be signed, on company/university letterhead, and be saved as a PDF.

    Letters of recommendation are extremely important in the application review process for the American Chemical Society’s Public Policy Fellowship Program and should address:

    • The applicant’s technical accomplishments and relative standing among their peers
    • The applicant’s interpersonal and communication skills, including experience communicating effectively (orally and in writing) with non-technical audiences
    • The applicant’s maturity, judgment, and leadership
    • The applicant’s interest and experience in the public policy process
    • Other information that may be relevant to the selection committee

    Recommenders should keep the following guidelines in mind:

    • Be familiar with the ACS Public Policy Fellowship Programs. Know whether your applicant is applying for the ACS Congressional Fellowship, the ACS Science Policy Fellowship, or both.  More information about the ACS Public Policy Fellowship Programs can be found on www.acs.org/policyfellow.
    • Make clear how long you have known the applicant, and in what context. You should directly address why and how the applicant fits the criteria for the ACS Public Policy Fellowship Program.
    • Use vivid, concrete examples. Evidence of how you have directly observed the strengths and accomplishments of the applicant is very helpful.

    Thank you in advance for the time and effort you put into writing this recommendation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the ACS Public Policy Fellowship program manager at congfellow@acs.org.

Contact ACS Policy Fellowship

congfellow@acs.org