Congressional Science Fellowship
From climate and energy to national security and STEM education, Congress sets policy on issues that hinge on sound science — yet only a handful of lawmakers have science degrees. The APS Congressional Science Fellowship closes that gap by placing one APS member with a congressional office or committee each year, where they lend their training and expertise to help make science part of the legislative conversation.
Why become a Congressional Science Fellow
- Provide scientific and technical advice to senators, representatives, and congressional staff to help shape national policy.
- Build career-defining skills in negotiation, legislative analysis, and high-impact science communication.
- Earn a competitive package including an $88,992 stipend plus relocation, professional travel, and health insurance allowances.
- Join a powerful network of alumni who now lead in government, academia, industry, and nonprofits.
- Bring new voices to Capitol Hill — APS actively encourages early-career scientists, researchers from non-R1 institutions, and physicists from groups historically underrepresented in science and public service to apply.
How the fellowship works
- Kick off with a two-week orientation in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
- Interview with offices on Capitol Hill to find the best placement.
- Serve full-time from Sept. 1 – Aug. 31 as a legislative staffer, tackling both technical and non-technical issues.
- Follow up with an invitation to serve a one-year term on APS’ Physics Policy Committee (PPC), and a one-year term on its Panel on Public Affairs (POPA).
Former fellows' stories
Explore the experiences of previous Congressional Science Fellows.
Rules and eligibility
Applicants must:
- Hold a Ph.D. in physics or a closely related field, or a master’s plus three years’ professional experience in physics or science policy.
- Demonstrate interest in science policy through academic, professional, or community work.
- Be a U.S. citizen and APS member at the time of application.
- Show active engagement with APS (meetings, journals, units, advocacy, etc.).
Process and selection
Types of Congressional Science Fellowships
Through the shared application portal, you may apply for:
- APS Congressional Science Fellowship (deadline Nov. 4)
- American Institute of Physics (AIP) Congressional Science Fellowship (deadline Dec. 1)
The application process for the APS Congressional Science Fellowship
- The online portal opens Aug. 1, 2025. Log in, set up your profile, and track your progress in one place.
- You can also use this portal to request letters of recommendation. The portal marks each item received or pending, so you can confirm nothing is missing before the deadline.
2. Gather your materials
- Letter of intent (one-to-two pages) — highlight leadership, communication, and public engagement experience, as well as a clear motivation for pursuing policy work.
- Résumé (maximum two pages + optional one-page publication list).
- One letter of reference (requested through the portal).
3. Submit by Nov. 4
- All three items must show “Received” in the portal by 11:59 p.m. ET on Nov. 4; incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
- Applicants — not APS — are responsible for confirming every item’s receipt before the deadline.
Semi-finalists will be notified by Dec. 15, 2025, and will be required to provide two additional letters of reference by early January.
Finalist selections will occur in late January to early February 2026, with finalist interviews happening in late February to early March 2026.
Selection
APS and AIP have separate review processes and committees. After your application is complete, you will be contacted by and communicate with AIP and APS separately.
Contact
If you have questions about the APS Congressional Science Fellowship, please email the operations administrator or email the AIP chief of staff for questions about the AIP Congressional Science Fellowship. For questions about the fellowship more broadly, email both addresses.
Establishment and support
Founded in 1973 by APS and AIP, the fellowship program was created to provide Congress with ready access to scientific expertise and to give scientists firsthand policy experience — a mission that remains central to APS advocacy today.
Recent recipients
Ryan Nesselrodt
2024 recipient
Sophia Chan
2023 recipient
Thomas Plumb-Reyes
2022 recipient
Stephanie Mack
2021 recipient
David Somers
2020 recipient
APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.
Nominees for and holders of APS Honors (prizes, awards, and fellowship) and official leadership positions are expected to meet standards of professional conduct and integrity as described in the APS Ethics Standards. Violations of these standards may disqualify people from consideration or lead to revocation of honors or removal from office.