EA - Database of EA-relevant US policy fellowships by US Policy Careers

Link to original articleWelcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: Database of EA-relevant US policy fellowships, published by US Policy Careers on September 30, 2022 on The Effective Altruism Forum. Policy work is an important lever to have a positive impact in many EA-relevant cause areas—AI, biosecurity, animal welfare, global health, etc. The US government is especially influential, suggesting that policy work in the US can be particularly impactful. If you are looking for opportunities to explore, pivot into, or accelerate your US policy career, you should consider applying for relevant US policy fellowships. This post briefly explains what US policy fellowships are and introduces a new database with 40+ fellowship opportunities. It includes opportunities for people from various backgrounds (STEM, social sciences, etc.) and career levels (undergrad to mid-career). The database allows you to filter by cause area, degree requirements, location, and more. Please use this form if you have any feedback on the database or would like to suggest any additions or corrections. If you are interested in applying for any of these fellowships—including if you are still unsure or plan to apply in future years—we encourage you to fill in this form so that we can potentially support your application and connect you with others who have gone through the program. Introduction to policy fellowships There are dozens of US policy fellowships aiming to help people with different backgrounds and career stages gain first-hand policy experience. These programs can provide opportunities to work for US executive agencies, Congress, or think tanks. Other common fellowship benefits include funding, training, mentoring, networking opportunities, application support, and the possibility of post-fellowship employment. Moreover, policy fellowships are often competitive and prestigious, providing a valuable credential. What is meant by a “fellowship” can differ substantially as the term is not used consistently. The structure, benefits, and eligibility requirements may vary widely depending on the program. Many fellowships offer full-time placements in host organizations, while others provide part-time training and mentoring, and some “fellowships” are simply scholarships or internships. Alternatives to fellowships for those seeking to work in US policy include doing a policy-relevant graduate degree (ideally in Washington, DC) and applying directly for policy jobs or internships. Potential advantages of policy fellowships over these alternatives include: easier to get into without prior policy experience than most jobs (many are designed as bridge programs for people from non-traditional backgrounds such as tech) better paid than most internships and provide more post-completion employment opportunities better and cheaper (time-wise) for career exploration than graduate school additional benefits (e.g., training, networking, prestige) Examples of US policy fellowships include the Open Philanthropy Technology Policy Fellowship, the Presidential Management Fellowship, the Scoville Fellowship, and the STPI Science Policy Fellowship. The fellowship database We created a database of US policy fellowships, currently listing more than 40 opportunities. Limitations The database is a work in progress, and we appreciate any feedback (e.g., fellowships we missed, factual errors, better ways to structure the table) via this form or in the comments. The database does not aim to be comprehensive and focuses on fellowships most likely to be relevant to those interested in EA cause areas. Many (but far from all) of the programs included have a US national security focus and may be most relevant to people seeking to work in policy to reduce global catastrophic risks, especially from AI and pandemics. The database only includes US federal fellowships, not those at the state or l...