Program objectives:

1. provide USAID with scientists and engineers who are cognizant of the ways in which science and technology affect a broad range of international development and foreign policy issues
2. provide post-doctoral scientists (including behavioral and social scientists) and engineers (with at least a master's degree and three years of post-degree professional experience) with a unique practical, operational, and "real world" public policy learning experience;
3. demonstrate the value of science and technology in working on major societal problems;
4. make practical contributions to the more effective use of scientific and technical knowledge in USG foreign affairs; and
5. facilitate the Fellows' professional expertise being brought to bear upon some important concerns of U.S. foreign policy.

Program Description:

This is the oldest of USAID's fellowship programs, with probably the most rigorous recruitment, selection, and orientation process. AAAS promotes the program to recruit and select candidates with demonstrated high professional competence, who are "critical thinkers, articulate, and adaptable," possess good communication skills and ability to work with non-scientists, and who "show potential for longer-term interest in issues relating to foreign affairs and/or development assistance." All applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral-level degree at the time of application. Individuals with a master's degree in engineering and at least three years of post-degree professional experience may apply. Candidates are not encouraged to do independent research or to expect to work specifically on the topics of their dissertations or prior work experience. They are told they would be typically assigned to work with mentors in USAID's technical offices in Washington, with limited overseas travel. AAAS has a comprehensive program handbook for Fellows and mentors.

Selection Procedure:

Agency offices are informed in January of each year of the availability of potential Fellows to be interviewed by USAID staff in the spring. Those selected by an AAAS committee as possible Fellows are told which USAID offices have expressed interest in someone in their subject field, and then, in effect, the candidates "market themselves" to prospective offices. After selection, Fellows and their mentors receive orientation on the mentor-Fellow relationship and AAAS policies regarding responsibilities (including those responsibilities of an inherently governmental function, which they are not allowed to perform). All Fellows begin their assignment in September of each year after a two-week orientation with the Fellows in the six other fellowship programs AAAS administers. The overseas selection panel includes individuals with overseas expertise and they do not extend the opportunity for an overseas fellowship to all applicants. The overseas Fellows are funded directly by the missions after a "match" has been made between the candidate and a mission.

All applicants must be U.S. citizens. Federal employees are not eligible for the fellowships. The fellowship award is contingent upon the selectee obtaining a security clearance.

Length of Fellowship:

AAAS fellowships in USAID/Washington are one year in duration, potentially renewable for a second year. Fellows who have served in the domestic program are the only ones eligible to apply for an AAAS overseas fellowship of 1-2 years.

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