The Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program Opportunities Chart

The National Academies organization can be a difficult organization to understand. This is a brief primer so that you can better understand the fellowship opportunities in which you might engage as you utilize the fellowship program opportunities chart.

The National Academies is conducted by the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine. The National Research Council, the operating arm of the National Academy of Science and National Academy of Engineering, performs its studies and workshops through five major divisions; Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Earth and Life Studies, Engineering and Physical Sciences, Policy and Global Affairs, and the Transportation Research Board.  Each of these branches is made up of boards/units/committees responsible for carrying out the mission of The National Academies. 

When examining the "unit" activities within each major Division, please keep in mind that the "menu" of projects/studies are constantly changing.   It could be that by the time you undertake the fellowship, the "seasonal" menu will have changed, so focus instead on the general nature of the unit and its activities rather than a specific study. If you are selected for an interview, the unit projects likely to be active during the fellowship period will be described to you.  You can then determine your interest in being part of the team working on that project.