Skip to main content

Science Policy Internship Program (SPIP)

A brief overview of the Science Policy Internship Program

In cooperation with the University of California center in Washington D.C. (UCDC, www.ucdc.edu), the National Science Foundation, and the American Chemical Society, a Science Policy Internship Program (SPIP) has been established.  Students enrolled in science, engineering, and mathematics majors are encouraged to apply to SPIP to experience how scientists and engineers play in an important role in national policymaking, government regulation, and other activities at the interface of science and public policy.  Internships can be performed at a variety of organizations including the American Chemical Society, Environmental Protection Agency, Health and Human Services Administration, and many others.

Students must first be admitted to the UCDC program for one of the academic or summer quarters in order to be eligible for the internship program.  Students at all UC campuses are eligible and should contact their respective campus UCDC offices for application details.

U.C. San Diego students should contact the Academic Internship Program at ucdc@ucsd.edu or (858) 534-4355 for application details and questions.

Science students admitted to UCDC that are interested in SPIP should ask UC San Diego's Academic Internship Program that their application materials be forwarded to Prof. Seth Cohen, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, U.C. San Diego.  Students in any science, engineering, and mathematics major will be considered, with a preference for those in the chemical sciences.  Fellowships are available for interested students, which can be used to help defray travel and housing costs during the quarter spent at UCDC as part of SPIP.  Fellowship support is provided by a generous grant from the Division of Chemistry of the National Science Foundation, with administrative support from the University of California, San Diego.

Students admitted to UCDC and SPIP are eligible to perform their internship at various goverment and non-government agencies.  A special program has been established with the American Chemical Society (ACS) Office of Public Affairs.  The ACS is located just steps from UCDC, offering both a convienent and exciting opportunity for SPIP participants.  Applicants are encouraged to inquire about the ACS program upon admission to SPIP.

For information on the American Chemical Society internship program visit: www.acs.org/policy