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2020-2021 STEM Public Policy Fellowship (CHCI)

2020-2021 CHCI STEM Public Policy Fellowship
EXTENDED Deadline: January 30, 2020, 11:59 pm ET
Program Dates: August 31, 2020 – May 28, 2021

Apply today! Complete your application here: apply.chci.org.

** Please note: all applicants to the STEM Public Policy Fellowship will automatically be considered for the general Public Policy Fellowship as well. There is no need to complete two applications.** 

CHCI is seeking to offer exceptional Latinos with recent undergraduate academic degrees from across the country unparalleled exposure to a professional experience in the public policy arena and utilizing STEM expertise to make a difference through a paid nine-month fellowship in Washington, D.C. CHCI STEM Public Policy Fellows sit at the table with our nation’s policy makers and influencers to tackle societal challenges in cyber security, oil & gas, renewable energy, space exploration, technological innovation and more. Fellows strengthen their policy skills through hands-on experience working for an office of their choice in Congress for the full nine months or opting to work the second half of the program in a Federal agency, national nonprofit or think tank.

Recent placements for STEM Public Policy Fellows have included:

  • The offices of Representatives Ro Khanna, Tony Cardenas, and Senator Robert Menendez
  • U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; U.S. House Committee on Armed Services; U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection & Innovation; U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources
  • U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Environmental Defense Fund and U.S. Green Building Council

As part of the Fellowship, Fellows participate in CHCI’s exceptional leadership development training program and write a policy brief on a topic of their choice.

This experience can help Fellows along any number of career paths, whether in the for profit, public or nonprofit sectors. STEM expertise is in heavy demand in each. These include jobs in federal, state and local government or in public policy consulting firms, as well as helping companies work in areas such as government regulation and compliance, energy systems, environmental control and sustainability, technology development, telecommunications, aerospace, product development and safety, and more. Gaining deeper insight into how policy and legislation are formed, and institutions that shape commercial realities and strive to solve societal challenges, offer incredible opportunities for Fellows to stand out in today’s job market.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to have a degree, work and/or volunteer experience related to STEM, and demonstrated leadership and passion for addressing STEM-related issues faced by the Latino community. While no specific degrees are required, recent STEM Public Policy Fellows have had degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Global Environmental Change & Sustainability, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Business Information Systems, Business Administration and Management. Applicants with degrees in other areas, such as Computer Science, Information Technology, Finance, Econometrics, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Electrical Power Engineering, Marine Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Geophysics, Environmental Management, Sustainable Development and Quantitative Analysis, are also encouraged to apply.

CHCI has at least three sponsors for STEM Public Policy Fellows - including Shell Oil Company, BP and Chevron - who are specifically interested in Fellows who have completed degrees in the STEM fields and are themselves interested in energy issues (related to oil & gas, clean energy and/or renewable energy, etc.). While all STEM majors will be considered for these particular sponsored STEM Public Policy Fellowships, preference will be given to those with a focus on energy.

Testimonial from a past Fellow:

“CHCI allowed me to use my engineering background and bring a refreshing perspective to my office. I had the opportunity to work on public policy issues ranging from drought to renewable energy to STEM education and workforce development programs.”

-Eric Hernandez, 2013-2014 CHCI-BP Foundation STEM Public Policy Fellow, Government Program Manager at BlueLabs Analytics

“My participation as a STEM Fellow gave me the opportunity to write my first of many memos and to create the foundation for continued partnerships between the Hill and NGOs. My mentors at the Environmental Defense Fund and Rep. Cárdenas’ office provided me with the resources, support and confidence to excel within the world of policy.”

-Andy Vargas, 2016-2017 CHCI-BP STEM Public Policy Fellow, Legislative Correspondent in the office of Senator Kamala Harris

STEM Public Policy Fellowship Mission:

The CHCI Public Policy Fellowship (PPF) seeks to enhance participants' leadership and professional skills, expand their network and ultimately produce more competent and competitive Latino professionals in public policy areas and careers aimed at making a difference for Latino communities.

Application Check List:

  1. Application Profile
  2. One Letter of Recommendation
  3. Completed Application
  4. Three essay questions (600 words max. PER ESSAY)
  5. Resume (1 page) - include relevant work, academic, volunteer and leadership experience
  6. Transcript (official or unofficial accepted)
  7. Complete copy of current or most recent Student Aid Report (SAR) with Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number clearly shown 

Eligibility Criteria:
Selection as a CHCI STEM Public Policy Fellow is based on a combination of the following criteria:

  • UPDATED DECEMBER 2019: Applicants must have earned a Bachelor's Degree in a STEM field within three years of program start date
  • High academic achievement (preference of 3.0 GPA or higher)
  • Evidence of leadership skills and potential for leadership growth
  • Demonstrates commitment to public service-oriented activities
  • Superior analytical skills, outstanding oral and written communication skills
  • U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency
  • Eligibility to work in the United States

Please Note:

  • Individuals who are seeking consideration under the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival” (DACA) policy must possess an Employment Authorization Document at the time of application
  • All individuals are welcome to apply. However, preference will be given to individuals with financial need.
  • Family members of members of the CHCI Board of Directors or Advisory Council are prohibited from participating in any of CHCI's charitable programs. "Family members" include the following individuals whether the relationship is biological or adoptive: Immediate Family - to include a spouse, domestic partner, ex-spouse, parent, step-parent, sibling, half-sibling, step-sibling, child, step-child, grandparent, grandchild; Extended family - to include a niece, nephew, uncle, aunt, first cousin. Applications by such family members will not be considered.

Participants will receive:

Competitive Pay
  • Over the course of nine months, Public Policy Fellows will receive a gross stipend amount of $26,100. This salary is in line with that of an individual making $34,800 per year, a standard entry level salary on Capitol Hill.
Benefits
  • Stipend or voucher to subsidize domestic round-trip transportation to Washington, D.C.
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance during the program. CHCI pays 100% of the premiums for the medical, dental, and vision insurance. All program participants MUST participate in the plan and will be required to submit relevant enrollment information. Coverage begins effective September 1 and runs through May 31. Information about the insurance plan, coverage and co-pays is provided during orientation week. Please note, insurance is available to the Fellow only and not dependents of the Fellow.
  • $80 per month Metro stipend
  • Optional short-term housing. CHCI secures and individuals reimburse CHCI for this service
  • Weekly leadership training, networking and more


Note: The CHCI STEM Public Policy Fellowship Program requires that your degree be conferred within three years of the prospective start of the program. For the 2020-2021 application cycle, you should have completed your degree between May 2017 and August 2020.