AMS Congressional Fellowship
The AMS Congressional Fellow spends a year working on the staff of either a member of Congress or a congressional committee, addressing legislative and policy areas requiring scientific and technical input. The Fellow uses their analytical abilities and mathematical sciences background to assist the decision-making process in Congress.
The fellowship year (September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027) includes an orientation on congressional and executive branch operations, and a year-long seminar series on issues involving science, technology, and public policy. Fellows receive a stipend for the fellowship period, with additional allowances for relocation and professional travel.
The American Mathematical Society (AMS), in conjunction with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), sponsors the AMS Congressional Fellowship.
– Ashwin Iyengar, 2024–2025 Congressional Fellow
Eligibility
- Applicants must have a PhD or an equivalent doctoral-level degree in the mathematical sciences in-hand by June 15, 2026.
- Applicants must demonstrate sensitivity toward political and social issues and have a strong interest in applying their expertise toward societal solutions.
- Applicants must be able to work for the fellowship period: September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027.
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Federal employees are not eligible.
Application Materials
- Letter of Interest
- Curriculum Vitae
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Professional Misconduct Statement
The stipend for the 2026–2027 Fellow is $108,162, with additional allowances for relocation and professional travel.
Applications accepted September 2, 2025 – February 1, 2026.
Application Tips
- Clearly explain why you want the fellowship and how it fits your career trajectory.
- Include any prior work with policymakers (optional but helpful).
- Ensure your writing is clear, concise, and persuasive?this will be evaluated.
- Choose recommenders who can address both your technical and communication skills.
- Contact past AMS Congressional Fellows for insight into the fellowship experience. Email: AMS DC Office.
AMS Congressional Fellows
– Ellen Urheim, 2023?2024 Congressional Fellow
Read "The AMS Marks Twenty Years of Sending Mathematicians to Congress" by Karen Saxe in Notices of the AMS, September 2024.
- 2025-26: The AMS is not hosting a Fellow this year.
- 2024-25: Ashwin Iyengar, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP)
- 2023-24: Ellen Urheim, Office of Senator Bob Casey (PA), read "From Academic to Advocate."
- 2022-23: Duncan Wright, Office of Senator Todd Young (IN), read "Mathematics for Public Service."
- 2021-22: A.J. Stewart, Office of Senator Raphael Warnock (GA), read "Finding Meaning Outside Academia."
- 2020-21: Rachel Levy, Office of Senator Maggie Hassan (NH), read "Not Only a Postdoc: The AMS Congressional Fellowship in Mid- and Late-Career."
- 2019–20: Lucia Simonelli, Office of Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), read "Grafting Science on Congress."
- 2018–19: James Ricci, Office of Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN), read "From the Lecture Hall to the National Mall: My Year as the AMS Congressional Fellow."
- 2017–18: Margaret D. Callahan, Office of Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN), read "Science for Policy: My Year on Capitol Hill."
- 2016–17: Catherine Paolucci, Office of Senator Al Franken (MN), read "From Campus to Congress: Navigating Policy, Procedure, and Politics as an AMS Congressional Fellow"
- 2015–16: Anthony J. Macula, Office of Rep. Jim McDermott (WA-7), read "My Year as an AMS Congressional Fellow"
- 2014–15: Boris Granovskiy, Office of Senator Al Franken (MN)
- 2013–14: Karen Saxe, Office of Senator Al Franken (MN), read "My Year in the United States Senate"
- 2012–13: Carla D. Cotwright-Williams, Senate Homeland Security Committee
- 2011–12: Richard Yamada, Office of Senator John Boozman (AR), read "My Year on Capitol Hill: 5 Lessons I Have Learned"
- 2010–11: Hugh MacMillan, Office of Senator Robert Menendez (NJ)
- 2009–10: Katherine Crowley, Office of Senator Al Franken (MN)
- 2008–09: James Rath, Office of Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (TX)
- 2007–08: Jeffry Phan, Office of Senator Jeff Bingaman (NM)
- 2006–07: Daniel Ullman, House Science Committee, read "What Does an AMS Congressional Fellow Do?"
- 2005–06: David Weinreich, Office of Rep. Robert Andrews (NJ)
Contact
For more information, please contact AMS Government Relations .