STEM Public Service Fellows
Are you a STEM graduate student or postdoc who cares about the social and community impact of your work? The STEM Public Service Fellows program can help you turn that interest into real experience.
Over one year, Fellows build foundational knowledge and skills in public service and community engagement, then apply what they learn in a mentored practicum with a campus, community, or public sector organization. Fellows come from a wide range of STEM disciplines and learn to bring issues of public concern into their careers.
Applications are now open!
Find more information below. Deadline: Sunday, October 25 at 11:59 PM.
About the program
This Fellows program combines coursework, relationship-building, and a hands-on community practicum across one calendar year. Here’s what you’ll gain and how the program works.
What you’ll do
As a Fellow, you’ll:
- Acquire foundational knowledge in public service and community engagement in STEM
- Gain significant practical experience in a chosen public service pathway: direct service, science policy, or community-engaged teaching
- Connect with peers who are invested in the social and community impact of their work in STEM
- Explore career options and build your CV
Program at a glance
- Length: One calendar year (spring, summer, and fall semesters)
- Time commitment: Average of 4–6 hours per week (may be more; varies by phase. Details here)
- Courses: Three 1-credit seminars (INTEGSCI 640, 740, 840)
- Can count toward the doctoral minor in Community-Engaged Scholarship
- INTEGSCI 640 can count toward the Certificate in Higher Education Teaching and Learning
- Application status: 2027 applications are open September 14–October 25
Choose a pathway
Each Fellow specializes in one of three pathways; each pathway includes a practicum placement with a partner organization in the third semester. Each Fellow is placed with a community partner that is compatible with their interests (you do not need to find your own community partner).
Fellows have opportunities to work with others in the same pathway as well as those in other pathways. This ensures a rich environment of collaboration and dialogue across different interest areas.
Note: you may apply to more than one pathway, but Fellows will be admitted into one pathway. Your range of experience with the pathway(s) will be considered.
Direct service, which often involves outreach and communications, addresses the immediate needs of individuals and communities. It frequently involves working directly with community members.
Practicum examples:
- Data Science Hub
- Fitchburg Senior Center
- Goodman South Public Library
- Indigenous Arts and Sciences
- Juvenile Detention Center
- Madison Senior Center
- REAP Food Group
- UW–Madison Arboretum
- WISCIENCE
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
- Wisconsin EcoLatinos
- Wisconsin Greenfire
Science policy incorporates evidence-based approaches related to the public sector, including state agencies, nonprofits, and/or advocacy work.
Practicum examples:
- Carbone Cancer Center Outreach
- Clean Wisconsin
- Embolden WI (formerly WI Alliance for Womens’ Health)
- Public Health Madison and Dane County
- School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH)
- Upper Sugar River Watershed Association
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
- Wisconsin Greenfire
- Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts
- Wisconsin Legislative Council
Community-engaged teaching describes courses that connect learning in the classroom to public issues, and frequently includes learning in community spaces.
For the practicum, most Fellows will lead a 1–2 credit community-based learning course. Some may instead develop community-engaged curriculum for a course (in this case, Fellows must choose the course and get permission from the instructor).
Teaching practicum examples:
- IntegSci 140: Exploring Service in STEM
- IntegSci 240: Service with Youth in STEM
Curriculum development practicum examples:
- School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH)
- Department of plant pathology
The three pathways draw on the Pathways of Public Service and Civic Engagement, a framework developed by the Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University. The STEM Public Service Fellows program uses it to map the spectrum of ways STEM students and postdocs can connect their work to issues of public concern.
How the program works
The program runs across three semester-long phases, each anchored by a one-credit seminar and mentored by WISCIENCE program directors. Together the three courses can count toward the doctoral minor in Community-Engaged Scholarship, if you choose.
- Course: INTEGSCI 640 – Public Service in STEM
- Average time commitment: 2-5 hours per week
Fellows meet weekly for two hours, completing a one-credit seminar on the fundamentals of community engagement in the STEM disciplines. The cohort will work together to explore the core entry points to public service and civic engagement (direct service, public policy, community-engaged teaching, social entrepreneurship, activism, and philanthropy), learn the basics of community partnerships, and reflect on personal experiences with community engagement.
- Course: INTEGSCI 740 – Community Relationship and Materials Development in STEM Public Service
- Schedule:
- June 7–11, 2027 at 9 A.M.–1 P.M. (mandatory)
- 3 additional 90-minute meetings in June and July (to be scheduled based on Fellows’ availability)
Average time commitment: In addition to the scheduled meetings, about 16 hours total additional prep time for the summer*
Fellows meet on a semi-regular basis to develop a work plan for the semester, initiate community partnerships, and create materials for use in their practicums. Fellows will focus intensively on acquiring pathway-specific knowledge and skills. There will also be opportunities to practice transferable skills, problem-solve, and support your cohort members.
* This time commitment is variable, and there will be a mix of meeting types. Some weeks we will continue to learn and work collaboratively as a cohort, and some weeks will be devoted exclusively to work within your pathway of specialization. Some meetings may be held with practicum partners in the community.
- Course: INTEGSCI 840 – Mentored Practicum in STEM Public Service
- Schedule:
- 2-hour full cohort meeting every 2 weeks
- 1-hour pathway meeting on alternate weeks
Average time commitment: 6–10 hours per week*
Fellows engage in a practicum in their public service pathway of specialization, working directly with a community partner. Participants will see how theories and concepts in their pathway play out in real settings by implementing, refining, and evaluating the materials they have prepared for their practicum. A particular emphasis will be placed on working with community partners and their constituents in a way that is ethical, demonstrates a high level of commitment, and is inclusive of all stakeholders. Fellows will acquire the knowledge and skills to become leaders who advocate for civic and community engagement in the STEM disciplines.
* In addition to the fixed meetings listed above, this includes time devote to the practicum project.
Career outcomes
STEM Public Service Fellows have gone on to fulfilling careers, and many cite their experience in this program as an important part of their success.
Some positions held by past Fellows:
- Fiscal Analyst, Natural Resources Team (Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau)
- Education Outreach Lead (Argonne Leadership Computing Facility)
- Advancement Specialist (Society for Science)
- Registered Dietitian (Matz, Blancato, and Associates)
- Senior Scientist II (Novartis Biomedical Research)
- Content Marketing Writer (Takara Bio USA, Inc.)
- Senior Software Engineer (Ubicept)
- Senior Associate, Science Communications (Current Global)
- Assistant Teaching Professor, Chemistry (Emory University)
- Assistant Professor of Biology (Northern State University)
- Assistant Professor, Computer Science (Carleton College)
- Undergraduate Advisor, Physics and Astronomy (UW–Madison)
Which teaching program is right for me?
WISCIENCE also offers two Fellows programs focused on scientific teaching. Choose one of those if teaching is your main interest, or the community-engaged teaching track here if you want to bring community engagement into your teaching.
Eligibility
Review the eligibility requirements before starting your application.
You are eligible to apply if the following is true:
- Currently a graduate student in a PhD program or postdoctoral scholar at UW–Madison, and will continue to be through the fall 2027 semester.
- Interest in and enthusiasm for connecting STEM with the public.
- Ability to complete the program in its entirety, from January 2027–January 2028.
- This includes Public Service in STEM in spring 2027, Community Relationship and Materials Development in STEM Public Service in summer 2027, and Mentored Practicum in STEM Public Service in fall 2027.
- Ability to work with a community partner or organization to co-develop a practicum project related to the intersection of science and issues of public concern.
- Approval from your PI/advisor to participate in this program (if accepted, you will be asked to provide this approval in writing).
- Your major field of study is in a STEM field. This is broadly defined; please contact Dr. Anna Courtier if you have any questions.
How to apply
Applications for the 2027 program are open September 14–October 25. Read about the application process below.
Step 1: Talk to your PI/advisor
Your PI/advisor needs to approve your participation in the program. We will need this in writing if you are accepted. Plan to have this conversation before you submit your application.
Prepare for your conversation
If you’re not sure what to say to your PI, here are some prompts to think about beforehand to help guide your conversation.
- What do you hope to gain from this program?
- How will this program support your career goals?
- How will you manage your time and balance Fellows activities with other duties (e.g., research, TAing, etc.)?
- Based on where you’re at in your graduate or postdoc career, why is this year a good time to participate in this program?
Step 2: Fill out an application
A complete application has four parts. Here’s what to prepare and what each one should include.
Your online form should include:
- Your contact and program information
- Which pathway(s) you are interested in (direct service, science policy, or community-engaged teaching; details here)
- A short blurb explaining your research in plain language for a lay audience (150 words or less)
- A summary of what you hope to gain from the program (150 words or less)
Submit a one-page resume in PDF that includes:
- Your work history, research, teaching, and/or community engagement experience (it’s okay if you don’t have experience in all of these areas)
- Any courses, trainings, or workshops related to the pathway(s) you’re applying for (if any; prior experience is not required)
- Presentations or publications only if they connect to community engagement
Please address these topics:
- Why you’re interested in this program and the specific pathway(s) you selected
- Your experience engaging with the community, whether as a scientist or engineer or in another capacity
- Your broad career goals
- Any courses, trainings, or workshops related to the pathway(s) you’re applying for (if any; prior experience is not required)
- If you’re interested in the community-engaged teaching track, your experience as a teacher, including your roles and responsibilities (if any; prior experience is not required)
Include:
A list of your existing obligations (research, teaching, and so on) and known conflicts from January 2027 to January 2028, noting any periods you’d be unavailable for program responsibilities and any recurring weekly commitments.
Step 3: Interview (for select applicants)
Select applicants will be invited to an interview. This will be a group interview with several other applicants. Each interview will include group and individual portions.
The interview is an opportunity to share more about yourself, your career goals, and what you hope to get out of the program. It’s also a good opportunity to learn more about what participation in the program would be like.
On the application, you will be asked about dates you are available for an interview. Knowing your availability helps us plan interviews; it does not impact your eligibility.
Testimonials
It felt so refreshing to get to know and collaborate with STEM students from all across the university who share my interest in community engagement. Working in this cohort helped me to escape the lab bubble that I usually find myself in and to explore something that I have a lot of interest in with people who had unique insights and experiences.
Both the content I learned in PSF as well as the experiences during my practicum have helped me in my current position as Education Outreach Lead.…It also pushed me to think about best practices for science communication with various audiences. All of these are things that I use every day in my current position.
Not only does the STEM Public Service Fellowship provide a strong scholarly foundation in community-engaged research, it allows Fellows to apply these academic ideas in a real-world setting. Working directly with the Wisconsin Institute on Climate Change Impacts developed my professional skills in synthesis research and communication, which just so happen to also be large parts of my first postdoctoral job.
I apply concepts from this program every day! I often think back to our discussions about engaging stakeholders with different perspectives, especially in better understanding the needs of policymakers I serve.
The cohort structure of the program…gave me the opportunity to meet other graduate students from STEM fields who also wanted to make an impact on their local communities….That network of like-minded people gave me a sense of belonging as a graduate student.
I enjoyed that [the practicum] was an independent, but assisted, experience where I learned how to be partner to a community organization. I enjoyed learning as I went, and felt that it was great experience to learn how these community organizations are run.
Fellow and alumni profiles
Get to know some of our STEM Public Service Fellows and program alumni and learn about their experiences.
Meet Zach Lewis, 2025 STEM Public Service Fellow
“I have an obligation as an astronomer—that most accessible, public facing science—to engage with the public at all levels. This program is instrumental in developing a sustainable, equitable way to do exactly that.”
Meet Samantha Kelly, 2025 STEM Public Service Fellow
“Community engagement excites me, as this is an opportunity to bridge the gap between science and the public. I believe that science will have a much farther-reaching impact if the community invests and contributes to scientific advancement.”
Meet Charlotte Francoeur, STEM Public Service Fellows Alum
“I really enjoyed working on my outreach project with the UW Arboretum. Every aspect of [it] was exciting, from getting to apply concepts we learned…to working with an artist and UW Arboretum employees, to presenting the product to the community!”
Meet Katherine Charton, STEM Public Service Fellows Alum
“Considering how academic research can serve communities can be challenging, but learning and doing so with a group of peers was incredibly rewarding.”
Meet Rebecca Alcock, STEM Public Service Fellows Alum
“The entirety of my PhD has centered on community-engaged engineering, so I frequently call on the methods, theories, etc. I learned in the program to engage most effectively with my community partners.”
Contact
More WISCIENCE Fellows Programs
WISCIENCE offers three year-long Fellows Programs in teaching and community engagement. See all three to compare their focus, time commitment, and deadlines.