Congressional Fellowship Program

The Hoover Institution appreciates the important role of Congressional staff, as they advise Members on the critically important policy issues that routinely come before Congress. The Hoover Institution is uniquely positioned to offer these staff policy seminars that explore both the philosophical foundations of political reasoning as well as the mechanics of the policies themselves.

Numerous times a year, the Hoover Institution convenes a group of Congressional staff at Hoover’s facilities on Stanford University’s campus in Palo Alto, California for an educational seminar that features the Hoover Institution’s Senior and Research fellows, along with other distinguished visiting scholars. This particular seminar delves into scholars’ policy research on emerging biotechnologies and how they contribute to security, democracy, and human flourishing. The Hoover Institution was founded "to make and preserve peace, and to sustain for America the safeguards of the American way of life" through principles of individual, economic, and political freedom; private enterprise; and representative government.  

The next iteration of this program will be the Bio-Strategies and Leadership Congressional Fellowship Program on October 2 & 3, 2024. This intensive program includes two full days of programming with Hoover and Stanford scholars on a range of biotechnology topics. It will feature lectures, laboratory visits, and keynote addresses from scholars such as Dr. Drew Endy, Hoover Institution Science Fellow, Senior Fellow, and leader of the Hoover Bio-Strategy and Leadership effort.

Participants will receive round-trip airfare and ground transportation to Stanford University from Washington, DC, housing near campus, and those meals that are part of the seminar. The Hoover Institution diligently complies with congressional ethics rules.

Congressional fellows are encouraged to learn from and debate key philosophical and policy issues with some of the nation’s leading thinkers and practitioners. Participants may be asked to read and digest relevant materials from Hoover's scholars in advance of the seminars.

"The Congressional Fellowship is a tremendous opportunity for any Hill Staffer. The caliber of speakers is only outmatched by the unprecedented access to them; intimate classes with casual Q&A sessions yield thought-provoking conversations between both the Fellows at the Hoover Institution and the fellow Congressional Staffers that come to Palo Alto with a huge variety of experiences behind them.” 
-Aruna Kalyanam
Democratic Staff Director, Subcommittee on Tax Policy 
House Committee on Ways & Means

"The Congressional Fellowship Program at the Hoover Institution provides rigorous policy discussions to Hill staffers from eminent Hoover scholars.  The policy insights provided by the Program give balanced assessments of economic and social-policy issues that are useful and valuable to Congressional staff."
-Jeff Wrase
Republican Staff Director
Senate Committee on Finance

Bio-Strategies and Leadership Congressional Fellowship Program is best suited to mid-to senior-level congressional staff with an interest in science, technology and national security. Congressional fellows and members of the Congressional Research Service are also welcome to apply.

To apply, please include a personal statement expressing your specific interest in participating in the Bio-Strategies and Leadership Congressional Fellowship Program (500 words max). In addition, please include the following information:

• Name (Last, First Middle)
• Current Position and Office
• Cell Phone
• Email Address

Please apply here by 11:59PM PT on July 31, 2024. Questions can be sent to smoront@stanford.edu.