Genetics and Public Policy Fellowship

This is a fellowship program designed for genetics professionals with an advanced degree who are early in their careers and interested in the development and implementation of genetics-related health and research policies at a national level.

The fellowship provides experiences working:

• in the National Institutes of Health within the Executive Branch
• with ASHG in the non-profit science advocacy sector
• in a staff position on Capitol Hill serving elected officials in the Legislative Branch

Duration of Fellowship: 2 years

Start Date: July 1, 2025

Location: Bethesda, MD (NHGRI); Rockville, MD (ASHG); Washington, DC

Compensation and Benefits: Annual $79,000 salary plus benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance; retirement plan matching; and a training/travel allowance.

Applicants for this fellowship must meet the following criteria:

• Have earned (or will earn prior to the start of the fellowship) an advanced degree (e.g., Masters, PhD, MD, or JD) and be eligible to work in the United States
• Have demonstrated expertise and/or interest relevant to human genetics or genomics

Employment offers will be contingent upon a satisfactory federal background check.

ASHG is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including for disability and veteran status.  All eligible applicants may apply. The society is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community of human genetics and genomics professionals. ASHG welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, and strongly encourages individuals to apply who:

• are from racial and ethnic groups that are underrepresented in the genetics and genomics workforce;
• have a disability;
• were Pell Grant-eligible in college;
• are/were enrolled in Tribal Colleges and Universities, community colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions, or Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs);
• identify as LGBTQ+;
• were disadvantaged by life circumstances that have negatively impacted their educational opportunities;
• and/or have a demonstrated commitment to inclusion and support for a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds.

If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact fellowships@ashg.org.

A complete application packet must be submitted by January 5, 2025 and consists of the following:

• Candidate information and contact information
• Educational history
• A cover letter explaining your interest in the program. The cover letter should be concise (maximum of 2 pages) and address:
  • Why you are interested in this fellowship.
  • How this fellowship fits in with your longer-term career plan.
  • How your educational, research and/or policy background makes you an excellent candidate.
• CV or resume
• Contact information for three professional references

Competitive candidates will be early in their career and should possess a scientific knowledge base; express a keen interest in transitioning to a career in science or health policy; and be able to articulate why they need this fellowship to make this transition. Outstanding candidates will have previously sought out policy-related experience. Demonstrated skills in oral and written communications are essential.

The selection committee is typically impressed by individuals who have pursued opportunities to become involved in policy or who have taken part in other activitiesoutside of their primary responsibilities. Pursuing such activities demonstrates that the applicant has some sense of what policy work entails. Examples might include:

• Sitting on a policy committee at their institution
• Participating in an organization for early-career scientists
• Contributing to a science policy newsletter
• Writing for a local newspaper on policy issues
• Completing a short policy fellowship
• Volunteering at the local office of a member of Congress
• Participating in lobbying Congress in support of biomedical research

Applications will be screened for eligibility and reviewed by ASHG and NHGRI staff.

Top-ranked candidates will be invited for virtual interviews beginning in January. Those candidates will be given a policy memo exercise ahead of their interview.

Selected fellows will be notified in spring.