The American Physical Society and the American Institute of Physics annually sponsor an opportunity for scientists to spend a year working on Capitol Hill as Congressional Science Fellows.
Fellows serve their term on the staff of a senator, representative, or congressional committee.
They are afforded an opportunity to learn the legislative process and explore science policy issues from the lawmakers' perspective. In turn, Fellows may lend scientific and technical expertise to public policy issues. Qualifications for the Fellowship programs include a Ph.D. in physics or a closely related field, and interest or experience in the application of science and technology to improving human welfare or to solving societal problems. Fellows are required to be U.S. citizens and be members of APS or, for the AIP Fellowship, any of the AIP Member Societies. The term of appointment for both Fellowships is one year, beginning September 1 of the year the application is submitted, with participation in a two-week orientation in Washington, organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.