AGENCY: US Department of State/The National Academies

PROGRAM: Jefferson Science Fellows at the US Department of State

OBJECTIVES: Recognizing the need for an accurate, timely understanding of rapidly advancing science, technology and engineering (STE) issues, the Secretary of State has announced the Jefferson Science Fellows (JSF) program at the U.S. Department of State. The program establishes a new model for engaging the American academic STE communities in the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy.

Tenured academic scientists and engineers from U.S. institutions of higher learning are eligible for selection to be Jefferson Science Fellows. Each Fellow will spend one year at the U.S. Department of State for an on-site assignment in Washington, D.C. that may also involve extended stays at U.S. foreign embassies and/or missions. All JSF assignments will be designed in consultation with regional and/or functional bureaus within the U.S. Department of State. While in general JSF assignments will involve providing up-to-date expertise in the rapidly advancing STE arenas that routinely impact the policy decisions encountered by the U.S. Department of State, each Fellow will also be expected to become conversant with the functional operation of the U.S. Department of State. In doing so, the JSF program complements and enhances the existing efforts by both the continuing employees within the U.S. Department of State and other temporary fellows supported by non-governmental organizations who address STE issues. Following the fellowship year, the Jefferson Science Fellow will return to his/her academic career, but will remain available to the U.S. government for short-term projects over the following five years.

Nominees and applicants will be evaluated using the following criteria:

1. Ability to articulate science and technology issues to the non-specialist/general public;
2. Ability to rapidly and accurately understand scientific advancements outside their discipline area and to effectively integrate this knowledge into U.S. Department of State policy discussions;
3. Open-mindedness and receptive attitudes toward public policy discussions at the U.S. Department of State; and
4. Stature, recognition and experience in the national and international scientific or engineering community.

ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS: Each institution is permitted to nominate two candidates. Nominations are limited to scientists, technologists, and engineers holding a tenured faculty appointment at a U.S. college or university. Nominees must be U.S. citizens. Individuals offered JSF awards must successfully complete and maintain security clearances required for them to undertake their duties within the Department of State.

DEADLINES:
BU Internal Deadline: November 18, 2009
Agency Deadline: January 15, 2010

FUNDING INFORMATION: During their one-year assignment at the U.S. Department of State, the salary and benefits of the Fellow will be paid by the academic institution at which the tenured appointment is held. The Jefferson Science Fellow will receive a stipend of $50,000. The stipend is intended to offset the costs of temporary living quarters in the Washington, D.C. area. It is expected that each Fellow will travel as part of their assignment with the U.S. Department of State. Up to $10,000 will be made available to the Fellow for travel associated with their assignment(s). Travel support may also be provided by the Fellow’s office or bureau.

Each Jefferson Science Fellow will be expected to return to their home academic institution following their JSF assignment at the U.S. Department of State and to remain available as an experienced consultant to the Department for a period of five years.

AGENCY CONTACT:
Jefferson Science Fellows Program
The National Academies
Fellowships Office
500 Fifth Street NW, Keck W550
Washington, DC 20001
Telephone: (202)334-2643
Fax: (202) 334-2759
Email: jsf@nas.edu
Web: http://sites.nationalacademies.org/pga/jefferson/

INTERNAL REVIEW PROCESS: Faculty wishing to be considered for nomination should provide the following proposal material to Associate Provost Joan Kirkendall, Office of Sponsored Programs, 25 Buick Street, Boston, MA 02215, for internal review purposes:

(1) Letter of recommendation from the appropriate Department Chair or Research Mentor, highlighting the nominee's research achievement and promise and potential for academic leadership;

(2) A statement (maximum length 3 pages) describing the candidate’s qualifications as they relate to the selection criteria outlined above.

(3) Nominee’s curriculum vitae.

Nomination material will be collected and forwarded to the Office of the Vice President for Research for final selection. All nomination material should be received by Wednesday, November 18, 2009.

REMARKS: Complete program guidelines and application material may be obtained from the web site listed above or from the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). Please distribute this notice to any faculty or staff members who might be interested in the information. For more information, please contact the OSP at X3-4365 or ospinfo@bu.edu, or visit the OSP web site at http://www.bu.edu/osp.