Call for Applications for 2015 Graduate Student Policy Award

[Melanie Colón]

Call for Applications for 2015 Graduate Student Policy Award

 

Applications due Wednesday, January 14, 2015

 

 

The Ecological Society of America (ESA) invites applications for its

2015 Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA). Offered each year, this

award gives graduate students hands-on science policy experience

including interacting with congressional decision-makers, federal agency

officials, and others engaged in science and public policy.

 

The GSPA is given to up to three applicants. Winners participate in the

annual Congressional Visits Day, a two-day event that will be held May

13-14, 2015. ESA covers travel and lodging expenses associated with

this event for GSPA recipients. Awardees also receive a copy of ESA's

policy guide and the opportunity to be interviewed for ESA's podcast,

The Ecologist Goes to Washington and the ESA blog, EcoTone.

 

ESA is co-organizer of Congressional Visits Day, sponsored by the

Biological Ecological Sciences Coalition to promote federal investment

in the biological sciences, particularly through the National Science

Foundation. Participants receive communications training and learn

about the federal budget and appropriations process and the political

landscape. During the second day of the event, participants meet with

congressional decision makers to discuss federal support of research and

education in the biological sciences.

 

Eligibility:

 

Applicants must be ESA members and United States citizens residing in

the country. Past GSPA recipients are not eligible.

 

To Apply:

 

Send to pao@esa.org by close of business, Wednesday, January 14, 2015:

 

A cover letter outlining your interest in science policy and relevant

experience

 

A one-page statement that reflects your insights and perspective on the

importance of federal support of science and ecology in particular.

Extra credit for examples of ecological success stories (i.e. where

investment of federal dollars had a tangible return, particularly for

your home state).

 

A one-page resume

 

Applicants will be notified of decisions by late-January 2015. Please

direct questions to pao@esa.org.

 

To hear the insights from this past year's ESA GSPA winners, please

visit this link: http://www.esa.org/egwash/