The Tisdale Fellowship

The Tisdale Fellowship < http://www.tfas.org/Page.aspx?pid=1516> is
designed for outstanding graduate and undergraduate students who are
interested in technology and public policy. Undergraduates must be
in either their junior or senior year. The selection committee will
be looking for students with a concrete record of academic
achievement and civic mindedness (community activities or
organization). A background in computer science or other high- technology fields is helpful but not required.

The Fellowship has two components: a full-time 8 week public policy
internship with a high-tech company, firm or trade association, and
weekly issues seminar lunches hosted by Tisdale sponsors. The
Fellowship offers a $5,000 grant to students who are accepted.

The first of its kind, the Eben Tisdale Fellowship brings eligible
students to Washington, D.C. for internships that explore current
public policy issues of critical importance to the high technology
sector of the economy. The Fellowship has two main elements:

1) Internships: One principal feature of the Fellowship is an eight- week internship in the government relations office of a leading high
technology company or association. In the recent past, fellows have
interned at such companies as Agilent Technologies, Hewlett-Packard,
IBM, and Infotech Strategies. While sponsoring companies will vary
from year to year, the Advisory Board makes every effort to retain
high quality internship opportunities. Fellows have an opportunity
to observe first hand the development and advocacy of public policy
issues in Congress, the Administration and industry associations and
to participate in projects of their own, focusing on current
critical issues.

2) Issues Seminar:The other main element of the fellowship is a
weekly issues seminar organized with the assistance of the
sponsoring companies and associations. Expert speakers lead
discussions of current public policy issues in Washington, and the
methods the high technology industry uses for effective advocacy. In
the past, topics have included global electronic commerce,
protection of privacy, export controls, digital intellectual
property protection, biotechnology issues and educational technology
policy. The seminars give Fellows an opportunity to reflect on the
appropriate role industry policy advocacy can have on public policy
making at the Federal level. Conducted over lunch, the seminars also
provide a weekly venue for fellows to meet and compare notes on
their experiences.

Fellows also are encouraged, through a variety of events and
discussions, to reflect on how growing high technology affects
society, culture and the global economy.

The goal of the Fellowship is to create a supportive and collegial
environment in which a new class of public policy professionals will
be mentored to help ensure that the high-tech industry continues to
have highly capable and well-trained individuals in both policy
advocacy and senior management positions.

Who is eligible for a Tisdale Fellowship?
Students with an interest in public policy and the high-tech
industry in their Junior or Senior year, or in a graduate program
are welcome to apply. A background in computer science or other high
technology fields is helpful, but not required. Additionally,
international students are also eligible for the Fellowship.

The selection committee will evaluate your application, official
transcripts, evaluation forms, and an essay. The Board will then
recommend the most outstanding applicants to the program. The Board
will be considering your completed application materials, as well as
looking for:

* Examples of a strong interest in a career in high-tech public
policy;
* Civic mindedness and participation in community activities or
organizations;
* Past academic achievements;
* Strong recommendations from faculty, supervisors, colleagues, or
other professionals who can attest to your intellectual and personal
qualifications for this Fellowship
Important 2009 Dates

Application Deadline: February 15, 2009
Applicants notified by: March 15, 2009
Program: June 15 - August 7, 2009

http://www.tfas.org/Page.aspx?pid=1516