The Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program is a full-time hands-on training and educational program that provides early career individuals with the opportunity to spend 12 weeks at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Washington, DC learning about science and technology policy and the role that scientists and engineers play in advising the nation. This Mirzayan Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to obtain the essential skills and knowledge needed to work in science policy at the federal, state, or local levels.

The goals of the Mirzayan Fellowship are to help Fellows:

• Deepen their understanding of science and technology policy;
• Discover new career paths that engage both science and policy communities;
• Understand the role that scientists and engineers play in advising the nation by working closely with a mentor within the National Academies;
• Expand their perception of how the science and technology ecosystem operates in Washington, DC by attending meetings and policy-related activities outside of the National Academies;
• Obtain essential skills and knowledge needed to work in science policy at the federal, state, or local levels; and
• Build a network of Fellows and program alumni who will stay connected with each other and with the Academies.

Participation in the Mirzayan Fellowship provides the opportunity to:

• Explore a new career path and develop professional skills;
• Learn how scientific research gets translated into federal policy;
• Understand how the federal government operates and the role that the National Academies play through advice-making and convening activities;
• Experience Washington, D.C. firsthand and build a network of science and technology policy experts; and
• Participate in a robust cohort experience and join an active alumni community.

We are seeking early-career scientists, engineers, and medical professionals and/or late-stage graduate students with a strong interest in science and technology policy work. International students already based in the United States are encouraged to apply. We highly encourage those with strong interest but little experience in policy to apply.

The Mirzayan Fellowship is open to applicants who meet the following criteria:

• Able to attend the full 12-week program in-person in Washington, D.C. from March 2 – May 22, 2026.
• Are one of the following:
  • Current graduate student pursuing a terminal degree* (e.g., Ph. D, M.D., etc.) in any discipline within the sciences, engineering, or medicine (including the social sciences). Students should be in the dissertation phase of their program (i.e., be in the late stages of their program and not be required to attend courses during the Fellowship period) in order to be eligible.; OR
  • Have obtained their terminal degree* within the last five (5) years in any discipline within the sciences, engineering, or medicine (including the social sciences). Note: Applicants who exceed this limit due to caregiving leave or military service can still apply.
• Are based in the United States and do not require visa sponsorship from the National Academies in order to remain in the U.S. during the program dates.

* A terminal degree is the highest level of education or academic credential that can be achieved in a particular field or discipline. Please note that applicants with master’s degrees are generally not eligible unless the degree is considered terminal in a technical or specialized field. If you believe your master’s degree may fit this criteria, please provide a detailed explanation in the eligibility notes section of the application in order to be considered.

To apply for the Mirzayan Fellowship please fill out our online application form by following these steps:

1. Set up an account on our online application platform by clicking the Register button at the top right of this page. If you have applied before, use the Login button.
2. Review the 2026 Mirzayan Fellowship Application Preview document to understand the application requirements and the Mirzayan Fellowship Application and Interview Tips as you prepare your application.
3. Prepare your application materials, including:
1. Short Bio (maximum 250 words)
2. Short CV (maximum 3 pages, PDF)
3. Two references, which demonstrate how you fulfill the selection criteria outlined in the Selection Process section below. (maximum 2 pages per letter, PDF).
   • Note: We recommend that current graduate students include one letter from an academic advisor who knows them well and can confirm the anticipated degree completion date.
4. Statement of Interest (maximum 500 words)
5. Description of Policy Issue Interest (maximum 300 words)
4. Notify your referees. Provide their email address in your application as soon as possible to maximize their time to submit. Note: Mailed reference letters will not be accepted.
5. Submit your application materials via our online application platform by August 20, 11:59 PM EDT. Note: All application materials must be complete and submitted via our online form to be considered.

The Mirzayan Fellowship selection process is a merit-based, open competition based on applications generated by interested individuals. After the deadline, alumni and staff readers will review all eligible applications. Following this review, semi-finalists will be considered for specific placements within the National Academies based on the information provided in their application. Prospective mentors will be invited to review applicant materials, focusing on applicants with interest in their areas of project work. Semi-finalists selected by each mentor will participate in virtual interviews with program staff and prospective mentors before final placements are made.

The following criteria will be used to evaluate eligible applications and must be addressed by your essay and/or reference letters:

• Demonstrated interest in science and technology policy;
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively in a professional team;
• Alignment between personal/professional goals and the scope of the program;
• Ability to take a self-directed approach to networking and engagement with policy experts within and outside of the National Academies; and
• Suitability for one or more of the available mentor units.

Applicants with limited previous experience working in Washington, D.C. and/or the federal government are encouraged to apply. Candidates deviating significantly from the expected profile must demonstrate a reasonable case for consideration through their submitted application.

What are the National Academies?
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine work together to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academy of Sciences was created in 1863 by a congressional charter approved by President Abraham Lincoln. Under this charter, the National Research Council was established in 1916, the National Academy of Engineering in 1964, and the Institute of Medicine in 1970. We are a private, non-governmental organization and do not receive direct federal appropriations for our work.

The majority of the studies carried out by the National Academies are conducted at the request of government agencies. However, many studies are privately funded. Most of our work is conducted through seven major programs. Learn more by watching this video about National Academies’ Impact and Mission.

What is the Mirzayan Fellowship?
The Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program (Mirzayan Fellowship) is a 12-week training and educational program taking place in Washington, D.C. at the National Academies’ Keck Center offices. It is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), hands-on training and educational experience designed to engage Fellows in the process that informs science and technology policy through a placement within one of National Academies’ program units. By participating in this program, you will develop the basic skills and know-how essential to working or participating in science policy at the federal, state, or local level.

Who was Christine Mirzayan?
Christine Mirzayan was a Fellow in the second year of the Policy Fellowship Program and was assigned to the Center for Education. She had recently finished her PhD from the University of California in San Francisco and had been selected as a 1998 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Congressional Fellow.

At UCSF, her research focused on the development of the vertebrate nervous system. In particular, she analyzed the molecular mechanism by which diffusible cues guide the migration of developing axons. While at UCSF, she found that although she enjoyed basic research, she was increasingly interested in the role that science plays in society and looked forward to a career that would allow her to utilize her scientific knowledge to address the political and social problems facing our nation.

Tragically, she was unable to reach that goal when she lost her life during the last week of the Policy Fellowship Program. The National Academy of Sciences has renamed the program in her honor.

To learn more about Christine Mirzayan, please visit these sites:

• University of California San Francisco Library, SYNAPSE - THE UCSF STUDENT NEWSPAPER, VOLUME 43, NUMBER 1, 20 AUGUST 1998
• UCSF Today Archives

What do Mirzayan Fellows do?
As a full-time, hands-on program experience, the Mirzayan Fellowship exposes Fellows to a broad range of activities both inside and outside of National Academies, including:

• Working closely with a mentor in your assigned program unit;
• Participating in a weekly guest speaker series;
• Completing a science and technology policy assignment;
• Networking and attending Fellowship receptions and external events; and
• Building community with other cohort members.

Does the Fellowship provide a stipend or other funding?
Yes, the Mirzayan Fellowship provides a stipend of $11,000 to offset living expenses during the Fellowship period. The stipend is paid out in one installment during the first week of the program. Additionally, the program covers roundtrip transportation expenses (i.e., airfare, bus fare, or mileage) for Fellows to travel from their U.S.-based residence to Washington, D.C. The Mirzayan Fellowship does not fund research-related activities, award scholarships, or provide financial aid assistance of any kind. Fellows are not considered employees, as they are placed within the National Academies for a short-term educational training experience.

Is the Mirzayan Fellowship an in-person or virtual program?
The Mirzayan Fellowship is an in-person program held primarily at the National Academies’ Keck Center in downtown Washington, D.C. All required Fellowship sessions (e.g., orientation, weekly guest speakers, networking receptions, etc.) will be held in-person. However, many employees of the National Academies are currently working in a hybrid setting. Therefore, you will be expected to follow the hybrid work norms of your assigned unit for all program work.

What program unit will I work with during the Fellowship?
Each Fellow will be placed with a host program unit at the National Academies. Semi-finalists will be considered for specific placements within the National Academies based on the information provided in their application. Prospective mentors will be invited to review applicant materials, focusing on applicants with interest in their areas of project work. If selected as a Fellow, you will be invited to join a specific placement as part of your offer.

Can I miss orientation or do a shortened fellowship?
No. Acceptance to the program is contingent upon attending orientation in its entirety, and Fellows must complete the full 12-week term and be available to start their fellowship on the first scheduled day of orientation. Any request for scheduled leave (personal or professional) during the term of the fellowship must be approved by program staff and the mentor host unit.

Where can I find more information about housing during the fellowship
Fellows are responsible for obtaining housing during the fellowship period. Program alumni suggest searching Craigslist, Airbnb, and Facebook Marketplace for housing opportunities. In addition, many universities in Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland offer suggestions for off-campus housing. Program alumni recommend visiting the Georgetown University, George Washington University, and American University websites.

A housing guide will also be sent out following selection, which will include more details and suggestions for finding short-term housing in DC.

Can undergraduates apply for the Program?
No. Undergraduate students are not eligible for this program.

Can graduate students apply for the Program?
Current graduate students pursuing a terminal degree (e.g., Ph. D, M.D., etc.) in any discipline within the sciences, engineering, or medicine (including the social sciences) are eligible to apply. Students should be in the dissertation phase of their program (i.e., be in the late stages of their program and not be required to attend courses during the Fellowship period) in order to be eligible.

A terminal degree is the highest level of education or academic credential that can be achieved in a particular field or discipline. Usually, this means students pursuing a PhD, JD, MBA or MD, although this occasionally includes students pursuing another type of master's degree. Please note that applicants with master’s degrees are generally not eligible unless the degree is considered terminal in a highly technical or specialized field. If you believe your master’s degree may fit this criteria, please provide additional context in the eligibility comments section of your application to help us understand how it fulfills the requirement of being a terminal degree.

Can I apply if I've completed my terminal degree?
Yes. If you completed your graduate studies (degree awarded) within the last 5 years, you are eligible to apply.

Are the social sciences considered as a "science"?
Yes, absolutely! Social scientists are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Can law and business students in professional programs apply?
Yes. Given the importance of science and technology today, students in professional schools undoubtedly benefit from exposure to science and technology policy issues.

Can active-duty military officers apply?
Yes. However, there may be some limitations of which program units you can be placed with, and you will need to complete additional conflict of interest review steps. Please contact us at MirzayanFellowship@nas.edu so we can discuss your specific situation.