Gsausgs congressional science fellowship programproject period: 08 01 202507 31 2027AWARD purpose:this project supports the continuation of the gsausgs congressional science fellowship,…

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Research and Data Collection program (CFDA 15.808) awarded $201,930 to the Geological Society of America, Inc. on August 1, 2025, to support the continuation of the GSA/USGS Congressional Science Fellowship Program through July 31, 2027. The fellowship places two consecutive geoscientists in one-year staff positions within U.S. Congress to contribute scientific expertise on geoscience issues—including geological mapping, natural hazards, critical minerals, and natural resource policies—to legislative development and policy discussions. Fellows attend congressional briefings and hearings while engaging in science-policy communications, supported by professional development services provided through the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The primary deliverables include full-time placement of geoscientist fellows in congressional offices, enhanced congressional capacity to utilize geoscience information in policymaking, and dissemination of policy experiences to the broader geoscience community through fellow presentations and publications. The program strengthens institutional knowledge of geoscience-policy engagement within both GSA and USGS, ultimately benefiting the U.S. public through increased access to scientific expertise in Congress and advancing the geoscience community's understanding of policy processes.

Activities

The fellowship will place two consecutive geoscientists in one-year staff positions in the U.S.congress. The fellows will contribute scientific knowledge on geoscience issues, (e.g., geologicmapping, natural hazards, critical minerals, and natural resource policies) to policy developmentand legislative efforts, attend briefings and hearings, and engage in science-policycommunications. The program includes professional development through the americanassociation for the advancement of science, which provides orientation, logistics coordination, and policy briefings.deliverables and expected outcomes: full-time placement of geoscientists in congressional offices for one-year terms enhanced congressional capacity to use timely and relevant geoscience information dissemination of policy experiences to the geoscience community through presentationsand articles by the fellows strengthened institutional knowledge of geoscience-policy engagement within thegeological society of america and USGS.

Intended beneficiaries

The U.S. Public, through increased access to geoscience expertise in the U.S. Congress the broader geoscience community, through knowledge-sharing by the fellow geoscientists, who gain policy experience and professional growth.

Subrecipient activities

The american association for the advancement of science will serve as a key partner indelivering training and logistical support to the fellow, including policy orientation sessions, coordination of office placement, and professional development resources. The geologicalsociety of america will administer the grant, manage recruitment and selection of fellows, andcontribute cost-sharing toward stipend and administrative support.