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The AAI Public Policy Fellows Program (PPFP)

  Applications are being accepted through Wednesday, January 22. Apply now!

The PPFP provides early-career researchers, who are within 15 years of receiving their terminal degree and who are committed to a career in biomedical research, with the opportunity to learn more about how critical funding and science policy decisions are made and how individual scientists can use their voice to make a difference in the laws and policies that affect science. Fellows also get the opportunity to participate in the public policy and legislative activities of AAI. Up to 10 Fellows are selected to participate annually.

Fellows serve from May 1st of their selection year to鈥疉pril 30th of the following year. The program kicks off at the annual meeting and culminates in a two-day Capitol Hill Day program in Washington, D.C., where Fellows meet with their congressional representatives to advocate for support for immunological research and increased funding for NIH. Besides these two events, Fellows do not have to leave their jobs or institutions.

What You Should Know About the Application Process  

1. Applications open December 4, 2024, and close January 22, 2025
2. The is quick and easy to complete (you will be asked to attach your CV)
3. Send this to two AAI members (excluding members of the AAI Council or AAI Committee on Public Affairs) who can speak on what makes you a good candidate for the program
4. No prior advocacy experience is required!
5. Please direct any questions to AAI Director of Government Affairs Jake Schumacher at jschumacher@aai.org

Program Goals

The primary goals of the program are to 1) help AAI members, early in their careers, better understand the role of the President and Administration, Congress, and the National Institutes of Health in determining the policies that affect biomedical research; and 2) teach participants how best to advocate for the funding and policies that impact their careers. The program will also help ensure that AAI has within its ranks a cadre of well-informed scientists who can help lead the organization's public policy efforts in the future. Former Fellows often go on to serve AAI in myriad other capacities, including as members of the AAI Committee on Public Affairs.
 

Program Description

Program Components

1. Capitol Hill Day:鈥疐ellows come to Washington, DC, for a two-day Capitol Hill Day program (likely in March). They attend a training session with AAI staff and visit their Congressional representatives to advocate for biomedical research and increased funding for NIH. AAI pays for Fellows' flights, hotel, and other reasonable expenses (per the AAI Volunteer Travel Policy).
2. AAI Annual Meeting Program:鈥疐ellows attend the AAI annual meeting (during their Fellowship year), including any public policy or PPFP sessions requested by AAI. Attendance at the meeting is at the Fellows' expense. Fellows may apply for and use any AAI travel awards for which they are eligible.
3. Communication with AAI:鈥疢embers of the AAI Committee on Public Affairs and AAI government affairs staff communicate with the Fellows by email and monthly video conference calls during their Fellowship year to keep them informed and to solicit their views on key topics.
4. Special Projects: Fellows have the opportunity to contribute to public policy and legislative activities throughout their fellowship year. Examples include drafting sections of the AAI congressional testimony and revising the AAI Advocacy Brochure.

Qualifications
All PPFP Fellows are selected by the AAI Committee on Public Affairs. Applicants are required to:

• have received their Ph.D. or M.D. (or equivalent) within the previous 15 years in immunology or a related field
• be a member in good standing of AAI (must be a member at the time of application and throughout the Fellowship year)
• be committed to a career in biomedical research
• have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• have an interest in public policy as it relates to biomedical research
• live and work in the United States and
• submit by the designated deadline three electronic web forms:
  1. the
  2. two references from AAI members (regular members in good standing who do not serve on the AAI Council or AAI Committee on Public Affairs) using the

Fellows

PPFP Testimonials

View Capitol Hill Day Photos