West Virginia Civic Science Fellowship

West Virginia Civic Science Fellows work alongside WV STeP Fellows to provide long-form rigorous, nonpartisan science and technology policy research for members of the West Virginia State legislature, gaining first-hand experience of state-level science and technology policy.

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The West Virginia Civic Science Fellowship provides the opportunity for an outstanding scientist, social scientist, or engineer to undertake a self-led project on the topic of the choosing and produce a long-form policymaker guide covering the relevant scientific and technical background of the issue in West Virginia, stakeholder and community insights, and in-depth analysis of policy options for the West Virginia legislature. Fellows will learn firsthand about policymaking, community engagement, and policy analysis while using their knowledge and skills to address pressing challenges facing West Virginia.

Fellows will commit to an 18-month fellowship term. The selected Fellow will be expected to relocate to the Charleston, West Virginia area prior to the start of the fellowship.

We are currently accepting applications for the 2026 West Virginia Civic Science Fellowship!

Fellowship Timeline

May 2026: Application Opens

July 6, 2026: Application Closes

Late July 2026: Fellows Announced

September 1, 2026: Fellowship begins

Compensation and Benefits

$80,000 salary

Fully covered health, vision, and dental insurance

401k with 4.5% employer match

Travel to the NCSL annual meeting

Travel to AAAS annual meeting

Technology Supplement

Professional Development Support

What Do WV Civic Science Fellows Do?

The West Virginia Civic Science Fellow will work with the WV STeP Fellows to produce background information on the policy topic of their choosing (e.g., opioid use disorder, use of former mine lands, foster care, data center development), assemble roundtable discussions of experts and practitioners within the state, hold community engagement events to gather concerns and questions, and produce a long-form, comprehensive guide. This guide will contain the science and technical information related to the issue and in-depth analysis of the policies enacted in similar states including the efficiency, effectiveness, equity, and ease of political acceptability, informed by local communities, workers on the ground, and other stakeholders. The resulting report will be provided to policymakers, media, and local community members to inform their interactions with legislators.

Provided below is a list of specific activities in which Fellows will engage:

  • Co-design and lead a project on a topic area relevant to their expertise and of interest to West Virginia

  • Synthesize scientific and technical research related to the policy topic of their choosing.

  • Engage with community groups, practitioners, and stakeholders to gather insights, experiences, concerns, and questions to include in the policymaker guide

  • Produce a comprehensive policymaker guide containing background, community insights and data, and analysis of policy options

  • Communicate findings to West Virginia state and federal policymakers.

  • Prepare figures (where necessary) and PDFs using Adobe InDesign and Canva or similar programs.

  • Prepare materials (PowerPoints, handouts, etc.) for briefings to lawmakers and other outreach events.

  • Attendance at relevant networking events.

  • Participation in all Civic Science Fellowship events.

  • Keep in contact following the fellowship to support future fellows and provide information on the impact of the fellowship on your career.

Who is Eligible for the WV Civic Science Fellowship?

Applicants should be U.S. citizens or permanent residents that have completed a Ph.D. or other terminal degree in a science, social science, or engineering program. If an applicant has completed all the requirements for their Ph.D. or other terminal degree, but has not yet officially graduated, they can apply for consideration with a letter from their advisor or committee certifying that they have completed the requirements and will be able to start the WV Civic Science Fellowship by September 1, 2026.

Experience with public policy and Appalachia will be considered an asset.

Applicants should have:

  • an interest in policy practices and procedures at the state-level, particularly in West Virginia;

  • capacity to provide nonpartisan, objective information to lawmakers, withholding personal biases;

  • professionalism and maturity;

  • initiative and ability to work independently on a variety of tasks;

  • excellence in written and oral communication, particularly in breaking down complex technical information for a general audience; and

  • commitment to improving the well-being of West Virginians.

How Do I Apply for the Program?

Provided below are a list of items that you will need to submit for consideration:

  • a cover letter;

  • personal statement addressing the questions below;

  • your resume/CV;

  • contact information (email, phone number) for 3 professional references.

In your personal statement, please address the following questions:

  • Why are you interested in this fellowship program?

  • What topic do you propose to cover in your policymaker guide? Why are you interested in this topic and what background, education, and/or experiences can you bring to the project that make you uniquely qualified to cover it?

  • What connection, if any, do you have to West Virginia or Appalachia?

  • What are your near- and long-term career goals, and how do you envision the fellowship will help you achieve those goals?

We hope you will consider applying for this exciting opportunity! If you have any questions, please email us at fellowship@wvstep.org.