Compensation and Expectations
The Graduate School Bloomington will provide a $10,000 stipend for the 10-week summer program.
Graduate student fellows will serve as nonpartisan science advisors in specified executive agencies within the state of Indiana. Fellows address science policy projects, including topical research, data analysis, policy development, scientific outreach, collaborations with the Legislative Services Agency, and more.
Students must be able to work full time (40 hours/week) for the entirety of the 10-week program.
Fellowship Details
The INSPECT Fellowship is a 10-week summer program (~June 1 through Mid-August) for current graduate students, beginning with an orientation/training and concluding with a reception.
INSPECT Fellows are selected based on career interests, a desire to link science and policy and scientific integrity. They are matched to host offices based on mutual interest and placement availability.
Potential host offices include, but are not limited to, the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Transportation, the Office of Energy Development, the Department of Health, and the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Nature Preserves and Division of Forestry.
Click the link below for more information about some of the potential host offices:
click for a PDF document of potential host offices
Click here for a Word Docx list of potential host offices
Eligibility
Fellows must be a current master or doctoral student and:
- in a Science, Engineering, or Math related field, including social science, public health, and public policy programs
- must have the ability to work full-time (40 hrs/week) with their hosting institution over the 10-week summer term
- International students may apply but eligibility might depend on work availability, fellowship placements and/or funding mechanisms from the sponsoring university
Application Process
Interested students should submit the following materials via the application form by Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
- Application Form
- Resume or CV
- Personal Statement (max 1,000 words) addressing:
- Why you are interested in state-level science policy.
- How an INSPECT Fellowship will contribute to your career goals.
- The unique skills and experiences you will bring to the Fellowship Program.
- Any additional information you would like the selection committee to consider.
- Science Policy Statement (max 750 words) addressing a summary of a science policy issue of your choice and its implications for the state of Indiana. You should write this statement for a non-technical audience, such as a policy-maker or informed citizen.
- Host Office Preferences ranking your top 3 host offices.
- Username of 2 Individuals who will provide a letter of recommendation
- One recommendation MUST come from your primary academic advisor.
- One recommendation can come from someone in academia or related to a professional experience.
- Please inform the recommenders that they will receiver an email from IU Graduate School Bloomington with the subject INSPECT Fellowship. The second recommender listed will not receive an email invitation until the first recommender has submitted their recommendation
Selection Process
The fellowship is awarded to qualified applicants who exhibit a keen interest in improving the interface between science and policy decision-making, and who want to expand their academic skill set, grow their interdisciplinary chops, and be a part of creating real-world impact right here in Indiana.
The University Graduate School will nominate three finalists to forward to the IAS. The IAS committee will forward their nominees to the preferred Host Offices for final confirmation, after which Fellows will be notified. IAS will select 1 finalist from the 3 submitted.
Selection criteria includes:
● Interest in policy practices and procedures at the state-level, particularly in Indiana
● Capacity to provide nonpartisan, objective information to lawmakers, withholding personal biases
● Professionalism, maturity, curiosity, initiative, creativity, leadership, and team-work skills
● Initiative and ability to work independently on a variety of tasks
● Excellence in written and oral communication, particularly in breaking down complex technical information for a general audience
● Academic fit and interest with the host offices
Note: If the student is selected for nomination, Academic Advisors will be required to complete the form linked here:
Permission for Fellow to Participate in the INSPECT Fellowship Form PDF LINK
Permission for Fellow to Participate in the INSPECT Fellowship Form DOCX LINK
Review this document for a complete timeline of the fellowship program from initial announcement through post-program fellow report:
PDF LINK for INSPECT Fellowship Timeline document
DOCX LINK for INSPECT Fellowship Timeline document
