Strengthening Policymaking.

COVES Fellowship Program

The challenges leaders face today—in such areas as health, climate, and security—are unprecedented in their scope, complexity, and urgency. All too often, however, decision- makers lack access to the accurate and impartial scientific and technical information needed to act decisively and wisely. The obstacle: a critical shortage of scientists and engineers with the necessary training to be effective policy advisors.

The Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine created the Commonwealth of Virginia Engineering and Science (COVES) Policy Fellowship program to help bridge that gap. Although many young scientists and engineers are eager to take a more active role in policymaking, the opportunities to gain the skills and experience to make meaningful contributions are limited during their graduate careers. Thanks to the fellowship, they can now have those opportunities.

The COVES Policy Fellowship program enables young researchers to spend 12 weeks during the summer months serving as science and technology advisors in legislative offices and executive agencies as well as with prominent Virginia companies and nonprofits.

The COVES Fellowship Experience

• Fellows are current graduate students from universities across the Commonwealth and are selected based on career interests, desire to learn, and scientific integrity.
• They are matched with offices involved in policy decisions based on mutual interests and the offices’ need for assistance researching policy proposals, drafting policy documents, or organizing policy meetings and events.
• The program begins with a science policy bootcamp and orientation, which introduces fellows to the fundamentals of science policy and communications as well as governance and policymaking in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• In addition to their work in policy offices, COVES fellows are paired with a mentor from the Virginia Academy and participate in academy briefings, committee meetings, and an annual summit.
• Fellows receive a summer stipend.

Have you thought you could make a difference by applying the knowledge you’ve gained as a scientist or engineer to the pressing challenges facing society? The Commonwealth of Virginia Engineering and Science (COVES) Policy Fellowship program will give you firsthand exposure to how policy is made at the state level, helping you determine if this is a good choice for you.

COVES Application

There are standard components of the application (resume/CV and personal statement) in addition to the fellowship-specific portions (a one-pager on science policy in Virginia and a diversity statement). The science policy piece should consist of content similar to a one-page policy memo addressing a science-based topic, although it can take any format (memo, essay, etc.). It should be written for a non-technical audience. Examples and resources for creating science policy one-pagers are widely available online. A few resources include AGU and professional societies, such as the American Sociological Society.

The diversity statement should detail how your identity influences your interests in science policy. If comfortable doing so, you may also list your status as part of the application to be considered for externally funded positions. You can find our definition of historically excluded communities here. Externally funded fellows will have graduated from HBCUs and/or historically excluded communities. Available positions depend on participating sponsors.

As a COVES Policy Fellow, you will:

• Work together with public policy leaders as you use your expertise to develop solutions to pressing challenges facing Virginia/
• Receive training, professional development, and mentoring from some of Virginia’s top scientists, engineers, and policy professionals.
• Receive a minimum summer stipend of $9,000 and access to $2,000 in professional development funds.

COVES Policy Fellowship Forum

At the end of the fellowship, the Virginia Academy hosts a convocation to showcase the hard work and accomplishments of the fellows. The event is attended by COVES university partners, host offices, and experts across Virginia.

If you have further questions about the application process, please get in touch with us directly.