The ASAS Foundation is accepting applications now for the 2025 DC Policy Internship 

The American Society of Animal Science Foundation is now accepting applications for our 2025 DC Policy Intern. Applications are due Friday, November 1, 2024, at 5:00 pm (PT).

Our DC policy intern is supported by the American Society of Animal Science Foundation through the Appreciation Clubs for Bob Zimbelman, Harold Hafs, Barb Glenn, Jack Britt, and Louis Boyd.

Purpose:

• Provide experience for undergraduates or graduate students in legislative, regulatory, or administrative science policy activities in Washington, D.C., related to animal science or the production of animal-sourced foods. This experience may enhance the intern’s career.
• Provide assistance with federal legislative, regulatory, or administrative science policy activities to enhance support for animal science and animal agriculture in Washington, D.C.
• Provide undergraduate or graduate students with opportunities to communicate science to policy makers and the general public.
• Encourage more people to choose a career in public policy at the federal, state, or local level.

Eligibility:

At the date of application, students must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program closely related to animal science (e.g., agricultural economics, agricultural business, food science/products, environment) in an accredited college or university in the United States.

• Experience with farm animals, equine or companion animals is desired, but not necessary.
• Must be a citizen of the United States of America.
• Preference will be given to students who are members of ASAS. Information on ASAS membership is available at: https://www.asas.org/join-asas/individual-membership.

Terms of the Award:

• $5,000 stipend
• Term of Internship: 60-90 days during the academic summer session in 2025

Application Process:

Send one email message with the following items to Ms. Amy Brainard, ASAS Chief Development Officer at AmyB@asas.org by 5:00 p.m. (Pacific) on Friday, November 1, 2024. All documents must be prepared with an 11-point font for larger and one-inch margins on all sides of the page. A complete application package must include the following items:

• A one-page cover letter describing the applicant’s background, interest in the internship, and career goals.
• A one-page statement of the applicant’s views on an issue relevant to animal agriculture. This will be used to evaluate the applicant’s knowledge of current issues and written communication skills.
• A curriculum vita/resume/biosketch.
• Names and contact information for three references. Note: Letters of reference may be requested following application.

Incomplete application packages will not be reviewed.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee chosen from ASAS leaders, members of the ASAS Public Policy Committee, and representatives from the ASAS Foundation or the ASAS Appreciation Clubs. The top applicants must participate in a thirty-minute teleconference/interview with the review committee.

Final decisions will be made, and awardees will be notified by Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

The intern(s) will be responsible for scheduling interviews and finding an office to complete their internship in Washington, D.C. The ASAS science policy representative will assist the intern(s) with placement in an office in Washington, D.C.

To help define the scope of the internship, the following priorities will be used:

• A House or Senate committee with jurisdiction over agriculture, food safety, or the environment.
• The office of a Representative, Senator, or a member of a congressional committee involved with current issues affecting animal agriculture, food safety, or the environment.
• An administrative office closely involved with animal agriculture, food safety, or the environment, such as the USDA, EPA, or FDA.

Potential Duties:

• Conduct literature searches or other research relevant to current issues regarding animal agriculture, food safety, or the environment.
• Prepare draft reports or briefs on an issue for use by congressional staff or federal agencies.
• Identify scientists in academia and/or industry to provide expert testimony on current issues related to animal agriculture, food safety, or the environment.
• Attend hearings and provide written reports.
• Write monthly blog posts for the summer issues of Taking Stock D.C.

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