The Population Reference Bureau (PRB) is now accepting applications for its 2012-2013 Policy Communication Fellows Program
For more information, please visit: http://www.prb.org/EventsTraining/InternationalTraining/PolicyFellows.aspx
The Population Reference Bureau (PRB) is now accepting applications for its 2012-2013 Policy Communication Fellows Program. The program is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). It is open to individuals from developing countries currently enrolled in academic institutions in the United States, Canada, and other selected countries, pursuing doctoral programs and who are between their 3rd and 5th year of studies. Developing-country applicants may be in any field of study but their research focus should be related to one or more of the following:
Family planning and/or reproductive health (FP/RH), including family planning/HIV integration.
Maternal and child health (MCH), including family planning/MCH integration.
Contraceptive use/behavior.
Population growth.
Adolescent reproductive health.
Poverty and health equity.
Gender issues, including gender-based violence (GBV), early marriage, and male engagement.
Population, health, and environment interrelations.
The goals of the Policy Fellows program are:
To understand the process by which research informs the policy environment.
To learn various ways to communicate findings to policy audiences.
The Policy Fellows program, initiated in the 1980s, has close to 400 alumni. The program aims to bridge the gap between research findings and the policy development process. While research often has profound policy implications, it must be communicated effectively to a variety of nontechnical audiences in order to have an impact.Program Information
The program has three parts:
Washington Workshop: Participants will attend a two-week workshop at PRB in Washington, D.C., scheduled for Aug. 6-17, 2012. During the workshop the participants interact with PRB staff and outside experts active in policy research and communications. This workshop focuses on the role of research in the policy process and on techniques for effective communication of research findings to decisionmakers. During the workshop, participants are asked to work with their own research data to identify the policy relevance of their findings; Fellows learn how to draw implications of those findings and how to communicate them effectively to policy audiences.
Practicum: During the 2012-2013 academic year, Fellows will apply the lessons learned at the Washington workshop to prepare three 4-to-6 page policy briefs and an oral presentation for policy audiences, based on their dissertations or related research topics. During the year, Fellows receive feedback from PRB staff on the policy briefs they write. The third policy brief, usually based on the Fellows' own research (supplemented by other research, if needed), and a 12-minute policy presentation are discussed and presented at the PAA workshop.
PAA Workshop: The Fellows formally present their research findings at a workshop that will be held prior to the 2013 Population Association of America (PAA) Annual Meeting. During the workshop, Fellows make 12-minute policy presentations to the other Fellows and to PRB and guest discussants. The workshop offers an opportunity to use skills learned at the seminar, as well as to obtain feedback on the third brief and presentations.
2011-2012 Policy Communication Fellows at the DC Workshop in August, 2011.
PRB covers travel, lodging, and per diem expenses for each Fellow to attend the Washington workshop and the PAA Annual Meeting. PRB pays for the PAA registration for each Fellow and awards stipends of $2,000 to cover Fellows' research expenses.
WHO SHOULD APPLY: The participants selected will be from developing countries that are supported by USAID.
In addition, participants must be currently enrolled in academic institutions in the United States, Canada, and other selected countries, pursuing a Ph.D. or enrolled in doctoral programs, and between their 3rd and 5th year of studies.
APPLICATION INFORMATION: The deadline for applying is Feb. 2, 2012. The Fellowship awards will be announced in March 2012.
Applicants must submit the following to PRB:
A cover letter.
An application form.
An updated resume with a full list of educational and other professional activities.
A two- or three-page summary of their proposed dissertation research.
Two letters of reference sent directly from the person writing the reference (via mail or e-mail).
Application forms can be downloaded from the PRB website. Completed applications should be sent via e-mail to: policyfellows2012(at)prb.org.
Feedback From Former Policy Fellows
"The Policy Fellows program has provided me with skills to effectively translate and communicate research findings."
"Learning about tailoring your research to a policy audience was a good experience. It is not something we learn about in the university."
"A well-planned and executed workshop with great facilitators and superb organizers. Thanks for a good experience."
