Advocacy

ASH Congressional Fellowship

The ASH Congressional Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for a hematologist to work in a Congressional office on Capitol Hill for an academic year, starting in September, in order to help shape health care and hematology policy. The fellowship aims to provide education about the policymaking process, including Congress’ relationship to the hematology community, as well as an opportunity to educate Congressional members and staff about hematology.

The fellow will attend a week-long orientation and will be able to choose a congressional office with the aid of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The fellow will be paid at the GS-12 level and will receive a health care stipend.

Notes From the Hill

Learn about ASH's current Congressional Fellow, Camille Puronen, MD, MPH, and her efforts to help shape health care and hematology policy through her work in Representative Brian Higgins’ office in Washington, DC. Learn more.

Read more about former fellow Dr. Seid’s unique experience with the ASH Congressional Fellowship Program in ASH News Daily.

Eligibility Requirements

Prospective fellows must meet the following criteria in order to apply:

  • Be an ASH member in good standing and plan to remain a member for the duration of the fellowship
  • Have a doctorate degree
  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Be eligible to receive government funds through SAM (System for Award Management)
  • If the candidate is a male, be registered in the U.S. Selective Service System, if applicable

Federal employees are not eligible to apply.

Application Requirements

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Applications will reopen in November 2024 for the 2025-2026 fellowship.

A complete application must include:

  1. Completed application form.
  2. Letter of intent from the candidate. The letter should include how the candidate sees the fellowship helping to advance hematology. The candidate should include why he/she wants to participate in the fellowship, how he/she is qualified, what hematology topics interest him/her, what role he/she envisions taking as a fellow, and what outcome he/she hopes to ultimately gain from this experience. The candidate should also demonstrate his/her background, interest, and any experience in hematology and policy work.
  3. Three (3) letters of recommendation. Each letter should include the relationship between the individual providing the reference and the candidate, the standing of the candidate among his/her peers, the candidate's known interest and experience, the ability of the candidate to communicate and to interact productively with individuals and groups, and an opinion about the candidate’s professional future.
  4. A current CV.

Selection and Notification

Virtual interviews will be held for finalists in late February / early March. ASH will select and notify the fellow in late March and offer the spot for the Congressional Fellowship, which begins in September 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information, contact ASH Policy and Practice Manager Katherine Stark at [email protected].

As a coveted asset in the federal government, fellows gain hands-on policy experience in a challenging environment. Current and alumni fellows form a highly respected and widely recognized network of policy-savvy scientists.

The fellowship program requires the Fellow to relocate to the DC metro area for the duration of the fellowship year.

Currently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the fellowship is virtual, and the current fellows are working from across the country. While ASH hopes to have the 2021-2022 fellowship in person, the final decision will be made by Congressional Offices. ASH is closely monitoring the situation and will notify 2021 applicants if any changes are made to the program.

The fellowship is a 12-month learning experience beginning on September 1 and ending on August 31. Individuals accepting a fellowship must sign an agreement acknowledging this yearlong commitment.

The fellow is paid at the GS-12 Level and will receive a stipend for moving expenses and health insurance.

The fellow has total control over which congressional office or Committee the fellow choses to works in. The fellow is responsible for securing a congressional placement with assistance from AAAS. ASH will have no input in the selection of placement.

The fellow is an independent agent, not an employee of ASH, and ASH will not seek to direct, influence, or control the fellow’s congressional placement or set an agenda for the fellow.

Every fellow will attend a two-week orientation session organized by AAAS on the workings of the federal government that provides exposure to some of the issues, institutions, and individuals involved in federal policymaking.

ASH staff are available to the fellow to provide support through monthly check-ins, access to hematology experts, and exposure to ASH programing including relevant committee meetings and the ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition. AAAS hosts monthly seminars, newsletters, and networking events. The fellow will also be added to the AAAS alumni listserv and website.

This depends on your fellowship placement office and your home institution. In the past, fellows have been able to make arrangements with their home institutions so that they are able to go on leave and do not need to give up their positions. ASH does not recommend continuing work during the year with your home institution as the Congressional Fellowship is a full-time commitment.