Former ASM-AIBS Graduate Student Public Policy Internship Committee (ad hoc)
About the Committee
Chair
Mariah Schlis-Elias (maschlis@umich.edu)
Members
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Ex officio
- Jyotsna Pandey
Important Information and Deadlines
The ASM Student Science Policy Award Committee is currently accepting applications for the 2025 ASM Student Science Policy Award! This award is offered in collaboration with the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) and sponsors up to two graduate student members of ASM to go on a 3-day, expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in the spring. This experience includes participation in science policy and communications training and a full day on Capitol Hill meeting with members of Congress and their staff during Congressional Visits Day to discuss the importance of federal investment in the biological sciences. Please see the Grants & Awards section of our committee page for detailed information on how to apply for this award.
Application deadline: 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Friday, January 24th, 2025
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Photo on Left: Participants in the 2018 Congressional Visits Day (CVD) on Capitol Hill, including ASM Student Science Policy Award recipient Mariah Schlis-Elias (second from left). Photo on Right: ASM Student Science Policy Award recipient Anna Willoughby meeting with Knauss Legislative Fellow Dr. Elizabeth Benyshek from Senator John Ossoff’s office (GA) during the 2024 CVD
History and Mission
The American Society of Mammalogists has a long-standing commitment to providing legislators and public policy officials with the best available science. We are committed to communicating the results of our research to a broad audience and engaging the public in the process of scientific inquiry through increased understanding. In the spirit of creating a scientifically informed society, we offer this award to graduate students as an opportunity to further their professional development and increase their skills in communicating science. Please see the Grants & Awards section of our committee page for information on how to apply for this award as well as application deadlines.
Established as an internship program in 2005, the nature of this award has shifted over the years. However, ASM remains committed to providing graduate students experience in the realm of science public policy. We are grateful that the American Institute of Biological Sciences has been a continuous partner and host to student award recipients.
Statements from former ASM Student Science Policy Awardees and Interns
“The CVD itself is a super eye-opening look into the legislative process and lobbying, but I thought the workshop beforehand was easily the best part of the trip. You learn so much, it's an excellent opportunity to hone your scientific communication and to meet researchers from a ton of different fields. It’s also a great opportunity to learn about different research/scientific career paths available to policy minded researchers.” – Hannah Wilson (2023 recipient)
“The ASM Student Science Policy Award is an incredible opportunity to learn to communicate your research effectively. The included policy and communications training sessions highlight real-world activities scientists face, paired with helpful feedback from peers…From science communicators and research lobbyists to NSF grant reviewers, you come away with a deeper understanding of how science makes its way to legislation and the steps you can take to ensure Congress makes decisions thoughtfully. CVD is a must-attend if you ever thought your science matters to policy decisions!” – Gabriel Gadsden (2024 recipient)
“This was an eye-opening look at our federal government's support for science and a great professional development opportunity in advance of heading to the job market at the close of my graduate program… this experience built my confidence as a science communicator and instilled in me a vision for impactful research beyond academia during the next steps of my career.” – Anna Willoughby (2024 recipient)
Grants & Awards
Application Process and Requirements
The American Society of Mammalogists is pleased to announce that its committee is accepting applications for the 2024 ASM Student Science Policy Award. This award is offered in collaboration with the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS). The award enables graduate students with an interest in both science policy and mammalogy to participate in AIBS Congressional Visits Day with travel expenses paid. Congressional Visits Day will be held in Washington, D.C. in mid-April 2024. During the event, awardees will receive policy and communication training to prepare for meetings with congressional policymakers and federal agency scientists concerning research and budget priorities. A full day will be spent on Capitol Hill meeting with members of Congress and their staff to discuss the importance of federal investment in the biological sciences.
Recipients of this award will receive the following:
- A sponsored 3-day trip to Washington, D.C. including domestic airfare and hotel accommodations
- A one-year online subscription to the journal BioScience
- Policy and communications training hosted by AIBS
- An award certificate upon completion of the public policy leadership training
- Recognition during the annual members meeting of ASM
All graduate students who are members of the American Society of Mammalogists are encouraged to apply! You must obtain membership prior to submission of your application to be considered. Student online-only membership is available for $25 (http://www.mammalsociety.org/membership).
To apply, see the instructions below or go to our website (http://www.mammalsociety.org/committees/student-science-policy-award#tab6) for details.
Applications including a cover letter, one-page policy statement, resume, and one letter of reference must be sent to maschlis@umich.edu no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Friday, January 24th, 2025. The subject line of the email must include “ASM Student Science Policy Award” and the applicant’s name (e.g. ASM Student Science Policy Award – J. Smith). All documents should be included in a single PDF document with the format Applicantfirstname_Lastname_Application.pdf (e.g. Jane_Smith_Application.pdf). Letters of reference emailed separately from the application will be accepted provided they use the same subject line and clearly identify the applicant.
- Cover Letter: Describe your interest in science policy and how this experience will further your career goals. Confirm your ability to commit to travel to Washington, D.C. in spring 2025 to participate in the 3-day event.
- One-page Statement: In 500 words or less, articulate the importance of federal support of research in the biological sciences, particularly mammalogy. A successful statement will communicate the significance of such research to a non-scientist audience, drawing upon the applicant’s experiences and research areas where applicable. The statement can also reference local issues that may be of interest to your Congressional delegation.
- Resume (two-page limit): The resume should emphasize leadership, policy experience, and communication experience. This may include graduate, undergraduate, or non-academic activities, relevant education, work experience, honors and awards, and membership in scientific societies. Conference presentations and scientific manuscripts should be included if they are relevant to the science-policy interface.
- Letter of Reference: A reference letter should be provided by a college or university faculty mentor who can attest to your program of study, leadership, personal motivation, and interpersonal communication skills. Ideally, the letter writer would be someone familiar with your interest in or experience with science policy.
Applicants will be notified in February 2025 of the decision of the ASM selection committee. Please direct questions to: maschlis@umich.edu
Recipients
ASM-AIBS Graduate Student Public Policy Interns
- 2005—Judsen Bruzgul, Stanford University
- 2006—Natalie Dawson, University of New Mexico
- 2007—Joshua Smith, South Dakota State University
- 2008—Sarah Smiley, University of South Florida
- 2011—James Moree, University of Georgia
- 2012—Eve McCulloch, Louisiana State University
ASM Graduate Student Science Policy Leadership Award Recipients
- 2014—Melanie Sturm, Arizona State University
- 2014—Kathryn Preston, North Dakota State University
- 2014—Cybil “Nikki” Cavalieri, Michigan State University
ASM Student Science Policy Award Recipients
- 2015—Catherine Foley, Stony Brook University
- 2015—Margot Wood, Texas A&M University
- 2016—Elizabeth Flesch, Montana State University
- 2016—Alexis Mychajliw, Stanford University
- 2017—Giorgia Auteri, University of Michigan
- 2017—Jessica Gilbert, Texas A&M University
- 2018—Dana Green, Northern Arizona University
- 2018—Mariah Schlis-Elias, Austin Peay State University
- 2019—Rhiannon Jakopak, University of Wyoming
- 2019—Kelsey Stoneberg, Bowling Green State University
2020+
- 2020—Antonia Androski, University of New Mexico
- 2020—Barbara Sugarman, Sul Ross State University
- 2021—Award not offered (COVID)
- 2022—Conner Philson, University of California Los Angeles
- 2022—Matt Lacey, University of Vermont
- 2023—Hannah Wilson, University of Regina
- 2024—Anna Willoughby, University of Georgia
- 2024—Gabriel Gadsden, Yale University