New FASEB Advocacy Fellowship Trains Next Generation of Leaders

By: Jennifer Zeitzer
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
It is increasingly important for scientists to engage directly with elected representatives, policymakers, and the broader public. Skills development in this area is rarely included in graduate school curricula and is unlike most scientific communication. To address this gap, FASEB launched the Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship. The program is designed to develop the next generation of leaders for FASEB and other scientific professional societies. 

The Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship will offer researchers at all career stages (including graduate students admitted to PhD candidacy) a cohort model experience that provides virtual instruction and experience in advocacy, science policy, science communications, leadership development, and career exploration outside academia. Howard Garrison Fellows will engage in approximately 60 hours of content and curriculum, including in-person participation in FASEB’s annual Science Policy Symposium and Capitol Hill Day. Fellows will also complete FASEB’s Introduction to Science Policy and Advocacy course that provides an overview of key players in policy and legislative development and uses case studies and stepwise assignments to assess comprehension of course information. 

Applications for the inaugural cohort of fellows are due by July 17. The program will begin in September 2023 and conclude in June 2024. To be eligible to participate, applicants must be a member of a FASEB Full Member society and working/studying in the United States. Fellows who successfully meet the program’s minimum time and participation commitment will receive a certificate of completion and be well-qualified for future participation in scientific society and other advocacy programs. FASEB highly encourages applications from individuals from historically underrepresented groups within the life sciences community. 

Interested individuals must apply online. Additional information, including a list of FAQs and the program schedule, are also available. Questions about the program can be emailed to FASEB Member Support.