Call for Applications, Google Policy Fellowship (open to Students eligble to work in US and Canada)
From intellectual property enforcement, to patents, to free expression, policy makers are focused on the web. We're excited to launch the 5th summer of the Google Policy Fellowship, connecting students of all levels and disciplines with organizations working on the forefront of these and other critical issues for the future of the Internet. Applications are open today, and the deadline to apply is February 3, 2012.
For more information see http://www.google.com/policyfellowship/index.html
Selected students will spend ten weeks this summer working on a broad portfolio of topics at a diverse set of organizations, including: American Library Association, Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic, Center for Democracy and Technology, The Citizen Lab, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Creative Commons, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Future of Music Coalition, Internet Education Foundation, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Media Access Project, National Hispanic Media Coalition, New America Foundation, Public Knowledge, TechFreedom, and Technology Policy Institute.
Program Overview
The Google Policy Fellowship program was inspired by Google's Summer of Code with a public policy twist. The Google Policy Fellowship program offers undergraduate, graduate, and law students interested in Internet and technology policy the opportunity to spend the summer contributing to the public dialogue on these issues, and exploring future academic and professional interests.
Fellows will have the opportunity to work at public interest organizations at the forefront of debates on broadband and access policy, content regulation, copyright and trademark reform, consumer privacy, open government, and more. Participating organizations are based in either Washington, DC, San Francisco, CA, Ottawa or Toronto, Canada and include: American Library Association, Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic, Center for Democracy and Technology, Citizen Lab, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Creative Commons, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Future of Music Coalition, Internet Education Foundation, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Media Access Project, National Hispanic Media Coalition, New America Foundation, Progress and Freedom Foundation, Public Knowledge, TechFreedom, and Technology Policy Institute. More information about the host organizations and the areas of focus for the fellows are outlined here.
Fellows will be assigned a lead mentor at their host organizations, but will have the opportunity to work with several senior staff members over the course of the summer. Fellows will be expected to make substantive contributions to the work of their organization, including conducting policy research and analysis; drafting reports and analyses; attending government and industry meetings and conferences; and participating in other advocacy activities.
Who should apply?
We're looking for students who are passionate about technology, and want to spend the summer diving headfirst into Internet policy. Students from all majors and degree programs who possess the following qualities are encouraged to apply:
Demonstrated or stated commitment to Internet and technology policy
Excellent academic record, professional/extracurricular/volunteer activities, subject matter expertise
First-rate analytical, communications, research, and writing skills
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and efficiently, and to work smartly and resourcefully in a fast-paced environment
Fellows will receive a stipend of $7,500 for 10 weeks during the summer of 2012 (June-August). Exact dates of the fellowship will be worked out by the fellow and host organization.
Eligibility
Are there any age restrictions on participating?
Yes. You must be 18 years of age or older by January 1, 2012 to be eligible to participate in Google Policy Fellowship program in 2012.
Are there citizenship requirements for the Fellowship?
For the time being, we are only accepting students eligible to work in the United States, if your host organization is located in the U.S. (e.g. U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and individuals with a current U.S.student visa) and students eligible to work in Canada, if your host organization is located in Canada (e.g. Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and individuals with a current Canadian student visa). Google can not provide guidance or assistance on obtaining the necessary documentation to meet this criteria.
Who is eligible to participate as a student in Google Policy Fellowship program?
In order to participate in the program, you must be a student. Google defines a student as an individual enrolled in or accepted into an accredited institution including (but not necessarily limited to) colleges, universities, masters programs, PhD programs and undergraduate programs. Eligibility is based on enrollment in an accredited university by January 1, 2012.
You may be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student. You must also be eligible to work in the United States, if your host organization is located in the U.S. (e.g. U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and individuals with a current U.S.student visa) and students eligible to work in Canada, if your host organization is located in Canada (e.g. Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and individuals with a current Canadian student visa). Google can not provide guidance or assistance on obtaining the necessary documentation to meet this criteria.
I am a International student can I apply and participate in the program?
In order to participate in the program, you must be a student (see Google's definition of a student above). You must also be eligible to work in the United States or in Canada (see citizen requirements for fellowship above). Google can not provide guidance or assistance on obtaining the necessary documentation to meet this criteria.
I have been accepted into an accredited post-secondary school program, but have not yet begun attending. Can I still take part in the program?
As long as you are enrolled in a college or university program as of January 1st, 2012, you are eligible to participate in the program.
I graduate in the middle of the program. Can I still participate?
As long as you are enrolled in a college or university program as of January 1st, 2012, you are eligible to participate in the program.
Payments, Forms, and Other Administrative Stuff
How do payments work?
Google will provide a stipend of $7,500 USD to each Fellow for the summer.
Accepted students in good standing with their host organization will receive a $3,500 USD stipend payable shortly after they begin the Fellowship in June 2012.
Students who receive passing mid-term evaluations by their host organization will receive a $2,000 USD stipend shortly after the mid-term evaluation in July 2012.
Students who receive passing final evaluations by their host organization and who have submitted their final program evaluations will receive a $2,000 USD stipend shortly after final evaluations in August 2012.
Please note: Payments will be made by electronic bank transfer, and are contingent upon satisfactory evaluations by host organization, completion of all required enrollment and other forms. Fellows are responsible for payment of any local, state, or federal taxes associated with their receipt of the Fellowship stipend.
What documentation is required from students?
Students should be prepared, upon request, to provide Google or host organization with transcripts from their accredited institution as proof of enrollment or admission status. Transcripts do not need to be official (photo copy of original will be sufficient).
I would like to use the work I did for my Google Policy Fellowship to obtain course credit from my university. Is this acceptable?
Absolutely. If you need documentation from Google to provide to your school for course credit, you can contact Google. We will not provide documentation until we have received a final evaluation from your mentoring organization.
Host Organizations
What is Google's relationship with the host organizations?
Google provides the funding and administrative support for the program. Google and the host organizations are not partners or affiliates. The host organizations do not represent the views or opinions of Google and cannot bind Google legally.
Will I be supervised by an attorney at the host organization?
The following host organizations have attorneys on staff to supervise fellowship work:
Center for Democracy & Technology
Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic
Internet Education Foundation
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
Media Access Project
National Hispanic Media Coalition
New America Foundation's Open Technology Initiative
Public Knowledge
Important Dates
What is the program timeline?
February 3, 2012: Student application deadline; applications must be received by midnight Pacific time.
February 24, 2012: Student applicants are notified of the status of their applications.
June 2012: Students begin fellowship with host organization (start date to be determined by student and host organization); Google issues initial student stipends (see more information on stipends in the payments here).
July 2012: Mid-term evaluations; Google issues mid-term stipends.
August 2012:
Final evaluations; Google issues final stipends
