Reference Instructions

To ensure confidentiality, recommendation letters must be submitted directly to AAAS through this website. We do not accept letters via Interfolio.

You will receive an email reminder, at the account that matches your login, every seven days until your letter(s) is submitted.

Declining a Reference Request

If you cannot provide a letter by the deadline – 11:59 p.m. ET on November 1 – please contact the applicant immediately so that another reference may be designated.

Submitting Your Letter(s)

After logging in, you will see a list of applicants who have requested a letter(s) of reference from you. If you see an applicant's name listed twice, that applicant is submitting two applications. Applicants may apply to up to two fellowship program areas: Executive, Legislative and Judicial. The program areas they are applying to are listed under their names for easy reference.

If an applicant is applying to two program areas, you are only expected to write and upload one letter. This letter can include sections that describe an applicant’s fit for one or both program area applications.

Alternatively, you may write the letter in a way that does not refer to a specific fellowship program area, and instead highlights the candidate's qualifications for both fellowships program areas to which they are applying. You will have the option to upload the letter once and apply it to both fellowship program areas.

Guidelines for Reference Letters

Please write your letter of reference on letterhead stationery if available. If official letterhead is not available, please clearly indicate your name, address, affiliation and title at the top of the document. Your letter should address and/or provide specific examples about the following:

  • How long you have known the candidate and in what capacity.
  • The applicant's technical and/or extracurricular accomplishments and relative standing of the applicant among his/her peers.
  • The applicant's ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, and to interact productively with individuals and groups, especially non-scientific audiences.
  • The applicant's leadership qualities, problem-solving skills, initiative, maturity, and judgment.
  • The applicant's interest and experience in applying his/her expertise to the resolution of societal issues, as relevant to the specific fellowship program area to which s/he has applied.
  • The applicant's professional future, including possible impacts the fellowship may have.
  • Any other comments you believe are relevant.

Objectives of AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships

The AAAS S&T Policy Fellowships are opportunities for professional development and public service. The aim is to foster scientifically informed, evidence-based policy and practice by involving scientists and engineers from a broad range of disciplines, backgrounds and career stages, and to build leadership for a strong S&T enterprise that benefits all people. Fellows engage their knowledge and analytical skills while learning first-hand about policymaking and implementation at the federal level.

The fellowship objectives are to:

  • Educate scientists and engineers on the intricacies of federal policymaking.
  • Provide information and analyses to address challenges that involve scientific and technological issues.
  • Enhance the civic engagement and leadership of scientists and engineers by enhancing their skills to assess, communicate and apply science and technology in policy contexts.
  • Increase the involvement and visibility of scientists and engineers in the policy realm and foster positive exchange between scientific professionals, policymakers and regulators.