The Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program offers graduate students and recent graduates the opportunity to spend 12 weeks at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Washington, D.C. gaining hands-on experience in science policy.
Throughout the program, Fellows learn about science and technology policy, work with a National Academies unit and mentor, attend a biweekly guest speaker series, experience life in D.C. beyond the National Academies, and broaden their understanding of the career opportunities available outside academia. This intensive program provides Fellows with the ideal opportunity to merge their academic background, interest in STEM, and passion for policy while connecting with other like-minded students and early-career professionals.
Mentor Program Unit Work
Each Fellow works with a mentor from a National Academies board or committee, and they spend most of their Fellowship working on a project with that unit. Fellows have conducted literature reviews, evaluated project effectiveness and suggested improvements, edited and contributed to reports, proposed strategic guidelines for studies, created workshop agendas, and planned and implemented events.
2023 Mirzayan Fellow Nafeesa Andrabi worked with the Committee on Population to complete briefs on the perceptions of economic inequality, social mobility, and subjective social status, the role of climate change in women’s empowerment, economic development, and population dynamics globally, and labor unions and social mobility in the United States. When discussing her unit work, she writes, “I have loved participating in the consensus study committee meetings at various stages. I have learned so much about the process of deliberation and rigorous discussion across disciplines.”
Orientation and Guest Speaker Series
For the first week of the Mirzayan Fellowship, Fellows attend an intensive Orientation Week to introduce them to the National Academies, Washington, D.C., and the role that science and technology policy experts play in advising the nation.
During the remaining 11 weeks of the Fellowship, Fellows convene twice per week to hear from experts on topics such as science policy budgeting; science policy news and reporting; diversity, equity, and inclusion in science policy; LinkedIn, resume, and cover letter writing strategies; science communication; and the National Academies’ strategic plans. Fellows typically meet with all three National Academies Presidents, during which they discuss the science and technology climate for students and early-career professionals in the United States.
Life in Washington, D.C.
Mirzayan Fellows are encouraged to attend events, Congressional hearings, and informational interviews within and outside of the National Academies during their time in Washington, D.C. During the 2024 Fellowship, Fellows attended an average of 18 informational interviews and 19 events each. Reflecting on the value of her external networking efforts during the Fellowship, Grete Gansauer ‘23 writes, “The Mirzayan Fellowship gave me the quintessential D.C. experience: I attended hearings on the Hill, events at think-tanks, and built my network with policy leaders with my field.” The Fellowship aims for Fellows to leave with an expanded personal and professional network and with the foundational skills necessary to feel confident building and maintaining professional relationships as they move forward in their careers.
Career Development
The Mirzayan Fellowship enhances Fellows’ understanding of what career opportunities are available to them outside academia. Through career coaching sessions, guest speaker presentations, informational interviews, and professional event attendance, Fellows learn about opportunities to apply their STEM expertise in government, nonprofits, industry, academia, and more. Emily Packard Dawson ‘23 describes the Fellowship’s impact on her career, writing that “The Mirzayan Fellowship has introduced me to the breadth of possibilities available to scientists in the policy space. Now that Pandora’s box is open, I don’t want to shut it!”
According to a 2023 survey of Mirzayan Fellowship Alumni, 35% of Mirzayan Alumni now work in government, 23% in academia, 22% in nonprofits, 15% in industry, and 5% are self-employed. The Fellowship shows STEM students and early-career professionals that there are numerous opportunities to engage with science, engineering, and medicine beyond the lab, and that their technical skillset is highly transferrable to a wide range of careers.
Looking Forward
Following their participation in the Mirzayan Fellowship, Fellows join an active community of nearly 1,000 Fellowship Alumni dedicated to supporting one another in their career goals. The Mirzayan Alumni community regularly connects by sharing job postings and career updates, catching up at the annual Mirzayan Alumni Reception, acting as networking resources for current Fellows, and helping review applications for future Fellowship cycles.
Mirzayan Alum Marlotte de Jong ‘24 concluded her Fellowship by reflecting on the lasting connections she made throughout the experience. She writes, “The best part of the Fellowship, in my opinion, were the other Fellows. I learned so much from my peers and made relationships that will last far beyond the Fellowship!”
Are you a graduate student or early-career STEM professional interested in exploring new career opportunities, learning about science and technology policy, and meeting other ambitious individuals from around the world? Learn more about the Mirzayan Fellowship on the program website, and sign up for our mailing list to receive a notification when the application for the 2026 Fellowship launches.