A new Washington Watch column, Bringing science to State governments, by former AIBS Public Policy Manager Julie Palakovich Carr is now available in BioScience. Palakovich Carr has served in the Maryland House of Delegates since 2019. Her career in science policy started as a Sea Grant Knauss fellow. The article delves into the growing number of science policy fellowship opportunities around the country at the state level. Below is an excerpt.
“In state capitols around the country, state legislatures are preparing for their 2025 legislative session, most of which will commence in January. In addition to the usual suspects of lawmakers, their aides, lobbyists, and citizen activists are a growing number of scientists who are working at the interface of science and policymaking.
In recent years, numerous programs have been created around the country to bring scientists into state policymaking, whether in the state capitol or in state agencies. Similar to science policy fellowships within the federal government, state-level fellowships provide policymakers access to scientific and technical expertise while training early-career scientists and engineers to work in science policy.
Currently, 21 states are home to a science policy fellowship program. State-level fellowships have grown quickly in recent years. Prior to 2018, there were only three states with a science policy fellowship. Fast forward to 2024, when two programs launched; another 11 states have an entity that has piloted a fellowship or is trying to develop one.
Nationally, at least 530 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students and recent graduates have completed state-level fellowships, with 120 fellows serving in 2024.”
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