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Program Guidelines | It is notable that one professional organization
in particular, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), currently
supports several Congressional Fellows, all of whom are engineers in senior level
positions. Members' offices and committees have found these individuals among the most
helpful and productive Congressional Fellows.
— Carnegie Commission on Science, Technology, and Government INTRODUCTIONIEEE-USA created the Congressional Fellowship program in 1973 to:
Each year, the IEEE-USA Government Fellows Committee selects eligible IEEE members - typically two (2) - from a pool of applicants to serve a one-year fellowship. The fellowship consists of an appointment to the personal staff of a U.S. Senator or Congressman, or to the professional staff of a Congressional Committee. The Fellow along with the Congressional sponsor and IEEE-USA, negotiates a starting date, although IEEE-USA recommends that Fellowship terms run from January 1st to December 31st. Prior to beginning a fellowship, Fellows are enrolled in a multi-society, two-week orientation program organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The orientation takes place in Washington, D.C. at IEEE-USA's expense. The 2008 orientation occurred on 3-19 September. For more information on the AAAS Professional Development Program, visit these links:
SELECTION CRITERIA To be considered for an IEEE-USA Congressional Fellowship, applicants must:
Applicants are evaluated on the basis of:
The Government Fellows selection committee may establish additional criteria. Specifically excluded as selection criteria are age, sex, creed, race, ethnic background, and partisan political affiliations. STIPEND & TRAVEL During the Fellowship year, IEEE-USA Congressional Fellows receive a Fellowship stipend of either $65,000 (MS and BS with minimum experience levels) or $55,000 (Post Docs/ PhDs just entering the workforce). PhDs with work experience will receive the higher stipend. The Government Fellows Committee has the discretion to determine stipend levels based upon an applicant's experience. IEEE-USA provides an additional supplementary allowance of $5,000 for travel and relocation expenses; this may be incorporated into the stipend if desired. IEEE-USA will also reimburse reasonable pre-fellowship travel and lodging expenses (with prior approval) related to the AAAS fellowship orientation and assignment interviews. The Fellows or their employers are responsible for the balance of salaries, benefits, and all other expenses. FELLOWSHIP REPORTS During their Fellowship year, the Fellows are required to provide IEEE-USA with three (3) reports.
The Fellowship reports provide helpful insight about the experience and what information on to expect in the different types of Fellowship assignments. The reports are published on-line and linked to the Fellows directory for quick reference. THE FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE The fellowship experience is intended to be both a learning experience for the Fellow, as well as an opportunity for an IEEE member to pass on her knowledge and experience to policymakers who may or may not have a science and technology background. A successful Fellow:
RESOURCES AAAS publication: "From the Lab to the Hill: Essays Celebrating 20 Years of Congressional Science and Engineering Fellows," which includes essays by IEEE-USA Congressional Fellow alumni Charles Bostian, LeEarl Bryant, Tom Fagan, George Swetnam and Don Willyard. | Top of Page | Government Fellowships | Public Policy Forum | IEEE-USA | Last Update: 23 September 2008 |
