The ASA encourages applications for its Congressional Fellowship (CF). The Fellowship brings a PhD-level sociologist to Washington, DC, to work as a staff member on a congressional committee or in a congressional office, or as a member of a congressional agency (e.g., the General Accounting Office). This intensive six-month experience reveals the intricacies of the policy making process to the sociological fellow, and shows the usefulness of sociological data and concepts to policy issues.

The 1996 fellow, Richard Gelles from the University of Rhode Island, recently said of the fellowship, "This is the most meaningful professional experience I have had in the past 20 years." Gelles worked with the Senate Subcommittee Youth Violence, Chaired by Senator Thompson (R-TN), on the Re-authorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Act. He also worked as a member of the House Subcommittee on Human Resources, writing critical legislative reports about child welfare legislation.

Each applicant should have a general idea about the area of interest, some experience in client-driven work, good writing skills, and a commitment to the policy process. It is helpful to investigate some placement possibilities in advance, or to suggest some in the letter of interest. The letter should highlight the link between one's sociological expertise and a current policy issue. Be sure to specify the time span available to do the fellowship placement.

ASA will join with other associations' Congressional Fellows to offer orientation, meetings, and support for the person selected. The person will work closely with the ASA's Spivack Program on Applied Social Research and Social Policy, with possibilities for congressional staff or press briefings, public speaking, writing issue papers, and other opportunities.

To see a list of past and current Fellows and where they worked, return to the Congressional Fellowship information page.

The Fellowship is funded by the American Sociological Foundation and is part of the Spivack Program in Applied Social Research and Social Policy.

The stipend for the Fellowship is $15,000.

To apply complete the following cover sheet, respond to the questions, and send with a vita to:

ASA Congressional Fellowship
1307 New York Avenue NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005

Materials must be postmarked by February 1, 2005.

CONGRESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION FORM

First:   MI:   Last:

Current Institutional Affiliation:

Street 1:

Street 2:

City: State: Zip: Country:

Home: - -     School / Office: - -

E-mail:

Personal Web Site:

What abilities do you have that could enhance the public’s understanding of sociology?

Briefly answer the following questions:

What policy-related experiences have you had?

How have you applied your sociological training and conceptual knowledge to policy issues in the past?

What types of issues would you want to deal with during your fellowship period?

For which Congressional Committee, Office, or Agency are you interested in working?

What knowledge or experience do you hope to gain through your work as a Congressional Fellow?

Why do you feel that it is important for sociologists to become involved in the policy-making process?