Through a partnership with the Cornell Office of Federal Relations and Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, the Graduate School sponsors doctoral students to participate in the annual AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) CASE (Catalyzing Advocacy in Science & Engineering) Workshop and the Cornell Doctoral Student Advocacy Day in Washington D.C.

About the AAAS CASE Workshop

Sponsorship to participate in the AAAS CASE Workshop is open to domestic doctoral students in STEM and social science graduate fields with limited prior experience and knowledge of science policy and advocacy who want to learn more about science policy. This program is organized to educate STEM and Social Science graduate students who are interested in learning about the role of science in policy-making, to introduce them to the federal policy-making process, and to empower them with ways to become a voice for basic research throughout their careers. Participants learn about the structure and organization of Congress, the federal budget and appropriations processes, and tools for effective science communication and civil engagement. In addition, students participate in interactive seminars about policy-making and communication.

About the Cornell Doctoral Student Advocacy Day

Cornell doctoral students selected to participate in the AAAS CASE Workshop join other Cornell doctoral students to engage in meetings with elected Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and current policy fellows. These meetings are organized by representatives from the Cornell Office of Federal Relations.

2024 Logistics

AAAS CASE Workshop Dates: April 14-17, 2024
Travel Dates: April 14 & 17, 2024
Eligible Graduate Students: Domestic STEM & Social Sciences Doctoral Students

Cornell Doctoral Student Advocacy Day Date: April 17
Travel Dates: April 16 & 17
Eligible Graduate Students: Domestic Doctoral Students Across the Disciplines 

2024 Application: Closed

Annual Timeline

• Call for Applications: Mid/Late January (Priority consideration provided to advanced Ph.D. candidates and to those who have not had prior opportunities to engage in federal advocacy efforts.)
• Application Due Date: Early/Mid February 
• Selection Decisions Released: Late February 
• AAAS CASE Workshop & Cornell Doctoral Student Advocacy Day: Late March/Mid April

Sponsorship

Support for participation in the AAAS CASE Workshop and the Cornell Doctoral Student Advocacy Day comes from the Graduate School, Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and the Cornell Office of Federal Relations.

Questions?

Should you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Associate Dean Sara Xayarath Hernández at grad_assoc_dean@cornell.edu.