Eagleton Science and Politics Program

Fellowship FAQs

What level of education do I need to be eligible for the Fellowship?

Fellows must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent level doctoral degree in natural sciences, engineering, or healthcare. Individuals must complete all doctoral program requirements by July 1 of their program year.

What are examples of acceptable natural science disciplines? 

Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Agricultural Sciences
  • Animal Sciences
  • Biological and Physical Sciences
  • Computer and Information Sciences
  • Chemistry
  • Earth, Ocean and Marine Sciences
  • Education
  • Engineering: Biomedical, Ceramic, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Nuclear
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Health Sciences/Medicine
  • Mathematics/Statistics
  • Psychology
  • Systems Sciences

What Ph.D. equivalent degrees are accepted? 

Examples of PhD equivalent degrees include, but are not limited to:

  • Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (MD, DO, DVM)
  • Pharmacy (PharmD)
  • Dentistry (DMD, DDS)
  • Nursing (DNP)

Is the Fellowship limited to New Jersey residents?
No, all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply. However, residency within a reasonable commuting distance to the host office (Trenton, NJ) and the Eagleton Institute (New Brunswick, NJ) is required throughout the Fellowship. The program is not able to offer relocation reimbursement or housing assistance at this time.

Do I need to be a U.S citizen?
You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply. Non-residents must have suitable immigration status to work in the U.S.

Do I need to have previous experience in public policy?
No, Science Fellows are not expected to have previous experience. However, they are expected to be interested in the processes of American politics and government, and they should understand value of scientific expertise in political and governmental spheres.

All selected Science Fellows will participate in a one-week seminar before their placements, gaining intensive training in New Jersey political structure as well as government and legislative processes.

Is the Fellowship only for early-career scientists?
No, applicants with all ranges of experience and at all stages of their careers may apply. Fellowship alumni include mid-career scientists, faculty members on a sabbatical, as well as recent Ph.D. graduates and postdoctoral researchers.

Will I receive a stipend?
The yearly stipend will be $60,000, paid bi-weekly starting in July. The stipend is taxable as income, but no federal or state taxes will be withheld. Science Fellows will be responsible for reporting the income and determining tax liability.

Will I receive health benefits?
Science Fellows are eligible for the same plans offered to Rutgers University Employees. Visit the University Human Resources Health Benefits webpage for more information.

Are there other benefits? 

  • 15 ‘flex’ days to use as sick and holiday time in addition to State-observed holidays.
  • Professional development funds up to $1,500 for conference travel and registration.
  • Mentorships, professional development and networking sessions organized by the Institute.
  • Rutgers University resources, including access to over 20 libraries, extensive subscriptions to databases through PubMed, gym and recreation programs, and year-round university-wide events.

Will you help me find a placement?
Yes, Science Fellows will be matched with appropriate and interested state offices. The interview finalists will be presented with a list of available placements and projects per their track selection. In addition, individually tailored placements outside of this list are possible as well. The finalists, the Fellowship leadership, and the host office remain in conversation throughout the process which culminates with a virtual or in-person meeting of the finalist with the host office.

What are the Fellowship policies regarding in-person, hybrid, or virtual-only placements?
Placements are based in or around Trenton, New Jersey. Science Fellows will become part of project teams which will have separate requirements or expectations on working policies based on the host office. There are in-person monthly meetings, networking events, and optional lectures at the Eagleton Insitute on the Rutgers New Brunswick campus.

We are unable to secure placements with specific advanced knowledge of whether the Science Fellow would be working fully in-person or virtually or somewhere in between. Such arrangements become clearer in May, after a placement has been selected, and the final candidates have met with their potential supervisors. Historically, legislative placements have been fully in-person, while executive placements have varied.

Can I keep another full-time appointment in addition to the Fellowship?
No, all selected Science Fellows are expected to dedicate a full-time schedule to the Fellowship and may not keep outside full-time appointments. Moreover, individual office working hours may vary and may include some evenings, and possibly weekends.

What are some of the components of the Fellows’ year-long experience, aside from their primary responsibilities in their host offices? 
Throughout the year, the Science Fellows participate in monthly meetings with the Fellowship leadership, Eagleton Institute events, and many professional development/mentorship opportunities, drawing from the Institute’s rich network of alumni, and government, non-profit and business contacts. Fellows are encouraged to discuss their work and fellowship experience at outreach events.

What kind of careers do the Science Fellows pursue after the Fellowship?
Many of the Eagleton Science and Politics Fellowship alumni have been hired by their original host offices and remain working there. Other Science Fellows have pursued federal-level fellowships or joined non-profit research and trade organizations as policy analysts, program officers, or government affairs executives. Fellows have gone on to full-time positions in the U.S. Departments of Energy and Homeland Security, National Human Genome Research Institute, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and others.

What else should I know about the Fellowship?
All Science Fellows are expected to fulfill their mission as trusted sources of fact-supported and unbiased scientific knowledge while also holding in confidence any information or material required or suggested by their host office. Your work might be relevant to your specific expertise, but it is more likely that you will work on a variety of issues relevant to the hosting office’s interests. Furthermore, your role might be individually further defined by your hosting office and you might not work on science-related issues at all times.

For More Information
For more information about the Fellowship and application process, please contact Kristoffer Shields, Ph.D., Interim Director, Eagleton Science and Politics Program.