A: The most important SRCD training experience at this time is the Policy Fellowships. Early and mid-level professionals with a background in developmental science and a strong interest in policy issues can apply. The purpose of these fellowships is to encourage developmentalists to learn to bridge science and policy by effectively bringing research to the federal policymaker audience, and by educating the scientific community about policymaking. There are Congressional Fellowships which started in 1978, and Executive Branch Fellowships which started in the early 90's. In the former, you would be a resident scholar in a Congressional office or a committee. In the Executive Branch, you would work with a federal agency, such as NIH. Both are part of the umbrella program of Science and Technology Fellowships of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

There are various career paths that fellows can follow after they complete their year. Some go on to do policy relevant research in an academic setting; others go into a policy research setting at the federal level, and still others find work in non-profits. About half of the fellows in both programs go back to academia, and the other half stay in more applied careers.

A: Both fellowships begin with a 2-week orientation to science policy sponsored by AAAS. The Congressional Fellow will spend the year working as a Legislative Assistant in the office of a Senator, Representative, or committee. Duties vary. They may draft or prepare legislation, briefs, and speeches; assist in Congressional hearings; or advise members of Congress about relevant research. Assignments are made after fellows interview with various Congressional offices. Recent assignments include:

• Working in Senator Lieberman's office on reducing healthcare disparities, improving federal infrastructure for translational research, and investigating the role of the federal government in facilitating health mental health during times of disaster and emergency
• Joining the Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families to work on legislation pertaining to families and education

Executive Branch Fellows work as resident scholars in a federal agency. They can help guide child development programs, inform funding initiatives, summarize research for Congress, write RFA's and grant announcements, or contribute to the grant review process. Recent executive assignments include:

• Working on the Healthy Marriage Initiative and programs focused on fathering through the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation in Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
• Working on child care issues in the Child and Youth Policy Division of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) in the Department of Health and Human Services.

Fellows are supported throughout their year through monthly seminars (both AAAS and SRCD) and informal mentoring by previous SRCD fellows. They develop extensive networks of colleagues and role models at the interface of science and policy. We encourage those who are interested to visit the Fellowships section of our website.