Ohio Public Interest Fellowship: Frequently Asked Questions

To be eligible for the Fellowship, applicants must possess the following minimum qualifications: 

• Earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited college, university, or technical school. 
• Currently enrolled in a post-baccalaureate degree program in a STEM-related field at an accredited university or college, or in a non-STEM related field provided the bachelor’s degree was in a STEM field. 
• Legally authorized to work in the United States. 

The following are not eligible to apply: 

• Individuals who are not enrolled in a post-baccalaureate degree program as of January 1, 2023. 
• Individuals who have registered as lobbyists in the State of Ohio or under the federal Lobbying Disclosure Act within 6 months of the application deadline. 
• Individuals who are not legally authorized to work in the United States. 

While there is no ideal candidate for the program, there are certain traits that lead to success in the Fellowship. We are looking for applicants who have: 

• A genuine interest in Ohio current events, state policy-making, and political processes; 
• A capacity to be adaptable and fully engaged, as well as a high tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty 
• A willingness to work in a fast paced, high profile work environment; 
• A desire to learn how policy decisions are made and to understand and appreciate the needs of decision-makers; 
• A strong interest in applying scientific and technical data and skills to inform public policy-making; 
• Personal integrity and self-motivation. 

Application for our 2023 Fellowship will be announced this fall. 

To apply, you will need to submit: 

1. A personal statement that addresses: (1) why you are applying to the Ohio Public Interest Fellows program; (2) what you hope to contribute to the program, and (3) how will you leverage the experience for your career development. 
2. Your most recent CV or resume 
3. One letter of professional recommendation (for example by a professor, supervisor, mentor) 

You should ask your reference to include the following information in their letter: 

• How long they have known you and in what context. 
• The skills, training, and personal strengths you would contribute to the program. 
• Challenges you might face in the public-policy setting. 

You may refer them to the “What are you looking for in a Fellowship?” section above to better understand what skills and characteristics are important for this Fellowship. 

The Selection Committee will do an initial scoring of applications to select finalists for (virtual) interviews. Offers will be extended in late March.  This timing provides an opportunity for Fellows to complete their current work assignments, participate in Fellow training in May and begin work at the  host organization in June. 

The general timeline for the fellowship is:

• Early March – Due date for applications 
• Mid March – Interviews 
• End of March – Selections finalized 
• Mid May – Fellow training 
• June – mid-August – Fellows' service to host offices and post-program assessment 

The hourly rate is $27.28, which is very competitive with conventional paid summer STEM internships. The Fellowship offers fringe benefits that may include paid-time off, health, dental, and vision benefits. 

Fellows will be paid bi-weekly. Taxes will be withheld and a W-2 issued.

The Ohio Public Interest Fellows program is funded by the Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN).  Launched in 2019 by the New American Foundation, PIT-UN is a partnership that unites colleges and universities committed to building the field of public interest technology (PIT). By developing curricula, research agendas, and experiential learning programs in the PIT space, these institutions develop graduates with skills and knowledge at the intersection of technology and policy. 

This pilot program is inspired and modeled on the Science & Technology Policy Fellows program operated by the California Council on Science & Technology (CCST). The Ohio Public Interest Fellows program is a pilot program customized for state of Ohio stakeholders. To read more profiles and stories from CCST Fellowship alumni, visit the CCST Fellowship blog.

Yes. Fellows serve as legislative or executive branch staff and are expected to be present throughout the Fellowship summer. Policy making is fast paced and relies on relationship and trust as much as it does data. Fellows will also be expected to attend regularly scheduled seminars and other activities in Ohio which will provide ongoing training and technical background. The valuable social network that will develop among the Fellows with their colleagues in the Legislature and Executive Branch can only be achieved with consistent interactions in a close working environment. Fellows are embedded in their host offices and learn by doing.  

No. Fellows are responsible for securing their own housing.  

Fellows commit to serving 12 weeks of the summer term (May to August). At present time, there is no provision for adjusting the Fellowship dates. NOTE: Specific dates are subject to change.

After the initial program orientation and training are complete, Fellows are introduced to their host offices in the Ohio State Legislature or Executive Branch. Host offices will set expectations with the Fellow and orient to specific tasking.  The Fellows then begin their placement assignments.