2022 ASAS Science Policy Summer Internship Program

Supported by the American Society of Animal Science Foundation through the Appreciation Clubs for Bob Zimbelman, Harold Hafs, Barb Glenn, Jack Britt, and Louis Boyd.

Purposes

1. Provide experience for undergraduates or graduate students in legislative, regulatory, or administrative science policy activities in Washington, D.C., related to animal science or the production of animal-sourced foods. This experience may enhance the interns' careers.
2. Provide assistance with federal legislative, regulatory, or administrative science policy activities to enhance support for animal science and animal agriculture in Washington, D.C.
3. Provide undergraduate or graduate students with opportunities to communicate science to policy makers and the general public.
4. Encourage more people to choose a career in public policy at the federal, state, or local level.

Eligibility

1. At the date of application, students must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program closely related to animal science (e.g., agricultural economics, agricultural business, food science/products, environment) in an accredited college or university in the United States.
2. Experience with farm animals, equine or companion animals is desired, but not necessary.
3. Must be a citizen of the United States of America.
4. Preference will be given to students who are members of ASAS. Information on ASAS membership is available at: https://members.asas.org/join/person/join.html?action=join

Amount of Award

$3,500 (payable at the start of the internship). Term of Internship: 60-90 days during the academic summer session in 2022.

Application Process

Send one email message with the following items to Dr. Meghan Wulster-Radcliffe, ASAS CEO (meghanwr@asas.org) by 5:00 p.m. (Pacific) on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. All documents must be prepared with an 11-point font or larger and one-inch margins on all four sides of the page. A complete application package must include the following items:
1. A one-page cover letter with a description of the applicant’s background, interest in the internship, and career goals.
2. A one-page statement of the applicant’s views on an issue relevant to animal agriculture. This will be used to evaluate the applicant’s knowledge of current issues and written communication skills.
3. A curriculum vita/resume/biosketch.
4. Names and contact information for three references.

Note: Letters of reference may be requested following application.

Incomplete application packages will not be reviewed.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee chosen from ASAS leaders, members of the ASAS Public Policy Committee and representatives from the ASAS Foundation or the ASAS Appreciation Clubs. The top applicants must be available to participate in a thirty-minute teleconference/interview with the review committee.

Final decisions will be made and awardees will be notified in December 2019.

Placement in an Internship

The intern(s) will be responsible for scheduling interviews and finding an office to complete their internship in Washington, D.C. ASAS science policy representatives will assist the intern(s) with placement in an office in Washington, D.C.

To help define the scope of the internship, the following priorities will be used:
1. A House or Senate committee with jurisdiction over agriculture, food safety, or the environment.
2. The office of a Representative, Senator, or a member of a congressional committee involved with current issues affecting animal agriculture, food safety, or the environment.
3. An administrative office closely involved with animal agriculture, food safety, or the environment, such as the USDA, EPA, or FDA.

Potential Duties

1. Conduct literature searches or other research relevant to current issues regarding animal agriculture, food safety, or the environment.
2. Prepare draft reports or briefs on an issue for use by congressional staff or federal agencies.
3. Identify scientists in academia and/or industry to provide expert testimony on current issues related to animal agriculture, food safety, or the environment.
4. Attend hearings and provide written reports.
5. Write monthly blog posts for the summer issues of Taking Stock D.C.

Current Interns

No 2019, 2020 or 2021 Policy Interns

Past Interns

2018 Interns:
Megan Anderson (Penn State) - NIFA Director's Office - Congressional and Stakeholder Affairs
Elizabeth Frey (Michigan State) - Western Skies Strategies Read more...
Stephanie McBath (Cornell) - Rep. Elise Stefanik Read more...
Danny Munch (UConn) - Rep. Joe Courtney Read more...
Miriam Snider (Kentucky) - Rep. Jason Smith

2017 Interns:
Rachael Buzanowski, Kansas State University Read more...
Alyssa Condon, University of Connecticut Read more...
KathrynAnn Fields, Texas A&M University Read more...
Taylor Herren, California State University, Chico
Ben Rietmann, Oregon State University Read more...
Tyler Madison Roberts, Texas A&M University Read more...

2016 Interns
Jamee Bell, Tarleton State University Read more...
Alexandra Cantrell, Texas A&M University Read more...
Cordelia Hiers, Murray State University Read more...
Morgan Jones, University of Minnesota Read more...
Olivia Woods, Oregon State University Read more...

2015 Interns
Pierce Bennett, Kansas State University   Read more... Listen to Podcast below.
Tiffany Hebb, Tuskegee University   Read more...
Maci Lienemann, University of Nebraska   Read more... Listen to Podcast below.
Ashley Weaver, The Ohio State University   Read more...

Maci Lienemann and Pierce Bennett discuss their internship experiences in Washington D.C.