Arthur H. Guenther Congressional Fellowship Program

Deadline for 2008-2009 Arthur H. Guenther Congressional Fellowship applications:
Wednesday, January 9, 2008

OSA and SPIE offer a congressional fellowship program providing members with an invaluable opportunity of public policy learning. Fellows gain a perspective that enhances their industrial, academic or government careers and the optics community’s ability to more effectively communicate with Congress. The Fellowship is an ideal way to spend an academic sabbatical or leave of absence from a company.

A Unique Opportunity

The Arthur H. Guenther Congressional Fellow works in the office of a U.S. Senator or Representative or with a congressional committee to get first-hand knowledge of congressional operations, contribute to the policymaking process, and forge links among the engineering, scientific, and public policy communities.

Term

Fellowships are normally for one year, running September through August. The Guenther Fellow will join more than two dozen other scientists and engineers in early September 2008 for an intensive orientation program on the legislative and executive branches. This program is organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), which also provides educational and collegial programs for the Fellow throughout the year. Following interviews on the Hill, Fellows choose a congressional office – personal or committee staff – where they wish to serve. Fellows are expected to handle varied assignments, both technical and non-technical.

A stipend of $55,000 is provided by OSA and SPIE, and additional support from other sources, such as a present employer, is permitted. The Societies also provide an allowance for health insurance, travel, and relocation expenses to the Washington, D.C. area. Final selection of the Fellow will be made in March/April 2008 after personal interviews are conducted.

Qualifications

Fellows are evaluated on the basis of technical competence, responsible work experience, ability to serve in a public environment and evidence of service to OSA, SPIE and the profession. Prospective Fellows must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral level degree by program orientation (September 1, 2008); significant familiarity with optical engineering or science disciplines; a working understanding of the optical engineering and science communities; and demonstrated interest in the United States public policy process. Although prior experience in public policy is not necessary, a demonstrable interest in applying science and engineering to the solution of United States policy issues is required. Federal employees are not eligible. Applicants should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and possess the flexibility to tackle a variety of work. Specifically excluded as selection criteria are age, sex, creed, race, ethnic background, and partisan political affiliation.

Application

Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, January 9, 2008. Candidates should submit the following materials:

• A detailed resume or curriculum vitae providing information about educational background, professional employment and activities, professional publications and presentations, public policy and legislative experience and committee and advisory group appointments
• A statement of approximately 1,000 words addressing the applicant's interest in the fellowship, career goals, contributions the applicant believes he or she can make as an Guenther Fellow to the legislative process and what the applicant wants to learn from the experience
• Three letters of reference sent directly to the address below, specifically addressing the applicant's ability to work on Capitol Hill as a special legislative assistant.

Send all application materials to:
Arthur H. Guenther Congressional Fellowship Program
c/o Angela Stark
Optical Society of America
2010 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20036
Office: 202.416.1443
Email: astark@osa.org

For inquiries regarding the Fellowship program contact:

Angela Stark, Optical Society of America
Phone: 202.416.1443
Email: astark@osa.org

or

Krisinda Plenkovich, SPIE Executive Office
Phone: 360.676.3290
Email: krisindap@spie.org

Directly below is a list of present and past fellows, along with their congressional office placements: