American Association for the Advancement of Science is accepting applications for AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships 2027/28. This fellowship is relevant to Advanced postgraduate and professional development and is based in Washington, D.C. and participating U.S. federal placements. A published annual stipend range of approximately $75,000 to $100,000 depending on placement and experience, together with health insurance support and fellowship professional-development, travel and training resources. The current application deadline is 1 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

AAAS STPF places scientists and engineers in federal policy environments where they apply technical expertise to public policy and gain direct experience at the science-policy interface. The current cycle opened 1 August 2026. The normal programme or award period is One fellowship year beginning 1 September 2027. The support is tied to the specific study, research, placement or project structure described by the funder.

Purpose of the award

The main academic, research or professional scope is Science, engineering, technology and policy placements across participating federal offices. The opportunity is relevant here because it supports Advanced postgraduate and professional development. AAAS STPF places scientists and engineers in federal policy environments where they apply technical expertise to public policy and gain direct experience at the science-policy interface. Applicants should make sure their proposed course, project, placement or research topic fits this scope before completing the application.

Funding and practical support

A published annual stipend range of approximately $75,000 to $100,000 depending on placement and experience, together with health insurance support and fellowship professional-development, travel and training resources. For an applicant comparing postgraduate funding, the practical point is to separate the published package from costs that remain outside it. The programme should therefore be described as paid fellowship and not as providing benefits the organisation has not listed. Where rates can change by academic year, the final award-year amount should be taken from the official offer.

Who the programme is for

Applicants who satisfy the fellowship's citizenship and advanced-degree rules. Candidates may qualify with a doctoral-level degree, or with a Master's in engineering plus the required post-degree professional experience under the current programme. Applicants must meet the citizenship rule and hold the qualifying advanced degree by the fellowship's required date. Master's-level engineers need the specified years of professional experience after their degree. Host location and applicant eligibility are separate issues: the programme is hosted in United States, while eligibility is determined by the rules above. Applicants should not assume a programme is global simply because it accepts some international candidates.

Eligible study or project area

For postgraduate applicants, the important point is how the funding connects to the work supported. This is not unrestricted cash: it is attached to advanced postgraduate and professional development and to the organisation's stated purpose. In this case, the published package is A published annual stipend range of approximately $75,000 to $100,000 depending on placement and experience, together with health insurance support and fellowship professional-development, travel and training resources. Applicants can therefore judge whether the support matches the costs and activities involved.

Application evidence

The application requires the academic, professional and written materials listed in the current portal, including evidence of qualifications and references. These requirements should be prepared using the formats and limits in the current instructions. Where university admission is separate from funding, completing one does not complete the other. A reference, supervisor approval, nomination or endorsement is required only where the programme states it.

Submitting the application

Use the official AAAS STPF application portal and complete the relevant fellowship track before the November deadline. The opening information for this round is: 1 August 2026. Applicants should use the official route linked below because it contains the current form, programme conditions and cycle-specific changes.

Timing for this round

The deadline is 1 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. This is a paid professional fellowship, not a Master's tuition scholarship. Master's eligibility applies specifically through the programme's engineering-plus-experience route. Applicants should allow time for any separate admission, supervisor approval, nomination, reference submission or institutional sign-off described above.

Before submission, confirm that you fall within the eligibility group for this cycle, that the proposed course or project is eligible, and that every required document can be submitted by 1 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. This is a paid professional fellowship, not a Master's tuition scholarship. Master's eligibility applies specifically through the programme's engineering-plus-experience route. The official page below is the correct place to begin.

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