- ~95,000 USD / year (est.)Annual stipend
- Up to 10,000 USD travelTravel support
- Up to 5,000 USD insuranceHealth premium support
- One year on Capitol HillFellowship term
- U.S. citizens onlyEligible applicants
- Established in 2000Programme history
At a glance
living only
Funding
—
Max amount
Jun 6, 2027
Deadline
United States
Country
American Nuclear Society (ANS)
Provider
The American Nuclear Society (ANS) Congressional Fellowship places one nuclear professional in the U.S. Congress for a one-year term to advise lawmakers on science and technology policy. Coordinated through the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fellowships and established by ANS in 2000, the fellowship assigns the selected fellow to a U.S. Senate office, a House of Representatives office, or a congressional committee. Fellows contribute to legislation on nuclear energy, climate and environmental sustainability, public safety, and infrastructure. The award provides an annual stipend of about 95,000 USD paid monthly, travel support of up to 10,000 USD for the AAAS orientation and two ANS national meetings, and up to 5,000 USD toward health-insurance premiums not otherwise covered. This is a non-degree professional fellowship, not a tuition award. Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens who have been ANS members for at least two years and are not federal employees at the start. The application is submitted by email with a two-page CV, a two-page statement of purpose, and one or two reference letters, with a deadline around 6 June 2026 and a fellowship start of 1 January 2027. Because the stipend, the allowances, and the dates are set each cycle, confirm the exact current-cycle figures on the official ANS fellowship page before you apply.
What's covered
- Annual stipend — A stipend of about 95,000 USD (est.) for the year, paid monthly across the fellowship term.
- Travel support — Up to 10,000 USD to cover the AAAS orientation and attendance at two ANS national meetings during the fellowship.
- Health insurance support — Up to 5,000 USD toward health-insurance premiums not covered by other arrangements.
- Policy placement — A placement in a U.S. Senate office, House office, or congressional committee, with direct experience of the legislative process.
- Professional development — AAAS orientation and networking with the broader cohort of Science and Technology Policy Fellows in Washington, D.C.
How to apply
Applications are submitted by email to ANS in PDF or compatible format during the published window.
- Confirm your eligibility — Check that you are a U.S. citizen, have been an ANS member for at least two years, and meet the degree and experience requirements by 1 January 2027.
- Prepare your CV — Write a resume or CV of no more than two pages summarising your nuclear and professional experience.
- Write your statement of purpose — Draft a two-page statement covering why you are applying, what you hope to achieve, and how the fellowship fits your career goals.
- Arrange reference letters — Secure one or two letters of reference that speak to your technical expertise and policy potential.
- Submit by email — Email your full application package (name, contact details, CV, statement, and references) to ANS before the deadline (about 6 June 2026, 11:59 PM EST, est.).
Eligibility
CitizenshipMust be a U.S. citizen; the fellowship is not open to other nationalities.
ANS membershipMust have been an ANS member for at least two years by the application deadline.
Employment statusMust not be a federal employee at the time the fellowship begins.
Academic and professional backgroundBy 1 January 2027, hold a PhD in a nuclear-related field with at least one year of relevant experience, or a Master's in engineering with at least three years of professional experience.
This is a non-degree professional fellowship. Selection criteria weigh technical expertise, policy engagement, communication skills, and contributions to ANS and the nuclear community.
Eligible countries
United States
Deadlines
2027 fellowship year~6 June 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applicants are evaluated on their technical expertise in nuclear science and technology, their ability to engage in public-policy discussions, their written and oral communication skills, and their contributions to ANS and the wider nuclear community. The process runs through first-round virtual interviews and then finalist interviews before the single fellow is selected. Fellows are expected to attend the AAAS orientation, secure a congressional placement, contribute to policy development, and submit quarterly progress reports.
Verified sources
- ANS Congressional Fellowshipans.orgofficial
About the provider
The American Nuclear Society (ANS) is a professional organisation for nuclear science and technology, founded in 1954 and based in Illinois, United States. It supports research, standards, and public policy in the nuclear field, and runs the Congressional Fellowship in coordination with the AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowships to bring technical expertise into the legislative process.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the ANS Congressional Fellowship?
+
Only U.S. citizens who have been ANS members for at least two years by the deadline and are not federal employees when the fellowship begins.
How much is the stipend?
+
About 95,000 USD (est.) for the year, paid monthly; confirm the exact current-cycle figure on the official ANS page.
Is this a degree programme?
+
No. It is a non-degree, one-year professional fellowship that provides hands-on science-policy experience in Congress.
What academic background do I need?
+
By 1 January 2027, a PhD in a nuclear-related field with at least one year of relevant experience, or a Master's in engineering with at least three years of professional experience.
Where will I be placed?
+
In a U.S. Senate office, a House of Representatives office, or a congressional committee, advising on nuclear-related policy.
What other benefits are included?
+
Travel support of up to 10,000 USD for orientation and two ANS meetings, plus up to 5,000 USD toward health-insurance premiums.
How do I apply?
+
By email to ANS with your contact details, a two-page CV, a two-page statement of purpose, and one or two reference letters.
When is the deadline?
+
Around 6 June 2026 at 11:59 PM EST (est.); confirm the binding date on the official fellowship page.
Do I need to be an ANS member?
+
Yes. You must have been an ANS member for at least two years by the application deadline.
When does the fellowship start?
+
It begins around 1 January 2027, following an AAAS orientation in autumn 2026.
What are fellows expected to do?
+
Attend the AAAS orientation, secure a congressional placement, contribute to legislative policy, and submit quarterly progress reports to ANS.
Where do I confirm the official details?
+
On the American Nuclear Society Congressional Fellowship page, which publishes the binding stipend, allowances, and deadlines for each cycle.