The Population Reference Bureau (PRB) is now accepting applications for its 2004-2005 Fellows Program in Population Policy Communications. The program is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and is open to citizens of developing countries* who are doctoral-level students in the United States and Canada. They may be in any field of study but must have a demonstrated interest in population, family planning, or reproductive health.
The program was developed 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.
The goals of the Population Policy Communications Program are to understand the process by which research informs the policy environment and to learn various ways to communicate findings to policy audiences.
The year-long program has three parts:
Washington Seminar: In the summer of 2004, Fellows will attend a two-week seminar at PRB in Washington, DC, during which they will interact with PRB staff and outside experts active in policy research and communication. This seminar will focus on the role of research in the policy process and on techniques for effective communication of research findings to decisionmakers. Guest speakers will address topics related to the Fellows' policy research interests. During the seminar, participants will be asked to consider their own research in terms of its relevance to policy audiences.
Research Project: During the 2004-2005 academic year, participants will apply the lessons learned at the Washington summer seminar to prepare written and oral presentations for policy audiences, based on their dissertations or related research topics. On the basis of their own research (usually but not exclusively dissertation research), the Fellows will be expected to prepare a 10-page policy paper, a policy memo, and a 10-minute policy presentation for the PAA workshop.
PAA Workshop: The Fellows will formally present their research findings at a workshop held before the 2005 Population Association of America (PAA) Annual Meeting, which will take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During the workshop, Fellows will make 10-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 papers, memos, and presentations.
PRB will cover travel, lodging, and per diem expenses for each Fellow to attend the Washington Seminar and the PAA Annual Meeting. PRB will pay PAA registration for each Fellow and will award stipends of US$2,000 to cover Fellows' research expenses.
The deadline for applying is January 31, 2004. The fellowship awards will be announced in March 2004.
Applicants should send PRB a cover letter, an application form, an updated resume, a two- or three-page research proposal, and two letters of reference. Completed applications should be addressed to the Fellows Program manager and may be sent via e-mail or by mail. PRB will also accept references by e-mail if they are sent directly from the person writing the reference. Application forms can be requested from the Fellows Program manager:
Sara Adkins-Blanch
Fellows Program Manager
Population Reference Bureau
1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 520
Washington, DC 20009, USA
Telephone: 202-483-1100
Fax: 202-328-3937
E-mail: [email protected]
*Please note that due to funding restrictions, PRB can only accept applicants from countries that are supported by the USAID Global Health Bureau. If you are not sure if your country is eligible for USAID funds, please contact the Fellows Program manager.