PhD students can apply before Feb. 1 to participate in the annual AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) CASE (Catalyzing Advocacy in Science & Engineering) Workshop and the Cornell Doctoral Student Advocacy Day in Washington D.C. It is a selective program facilitated through a Graduate School partnership with the Cornell Office of Federal Relations and Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences.Read about the experiences of previous CASE attendees on this page. Please only apply if you are available for all dates including travel.

About the AAAS CASE Workshop

Participation in the AAAS CASE Workshop is open to full-time enrolled PhD students in STEM and social sciences fields who have limited prior experience and knowledge of science policy and advocacy who want to learn more about the role of science in policy-making. The program introduces you to the federal policy-making process, and empowers you with ways to become a voice for basic research throughout your career. You’ll learn about the structure and organization of Congress, the federal budget and appropriations processes, and tools for effective science communication and civil engagement. In addition, you’ll participate in interactive seminars about policy-making and communication. Selected AAAS CASE workshop Cornell participants then join Advocacy Day participants to engage in meetings with elected Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and current policy fellows. These meetings are organized by representatives from the Cornell Office of Federal Relations. Departure April 6 and return April 9.

About the Cornell Doctoral Student Advocacy Day

Domestic PhD students across all disciplines are eligible to apply for travel and engagement in a full day of advocacy in Washington, D.C. on April 9. Advocacy Day participants engage in meetings with elected Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and current policy fellows. These meetings, held jointly with AAAS CASE workshop participants from Cornell, are organized by representatives from the Cornell Office of Federal Relations. If not already in D.C., it includes travel days April 8 and 9.

Annual Timeline

• Call for Applications: Mid/Late January (Priority consideration provided to advanced Ph.D. candidates and to those who have not had prior opportunities to engage in federal advocacy efforts.)
• Application Due Date: February 1 
• Selection Decisions Released: mid-February
• Once selected, participants must fill complete the student registration form by Friday February 21.
• AAAS CASE Workshop & Cornell Doctoral Student Advocacy Day: April 6-9, 2025
• Cornell Doctoral Student Advocacy Day only: April 9

2025 Logistics

NOTES: Application cycle is now open. Applicants must be available for the full program offered, including travel dates, unless they are already in the Washington, D.C. area.

AAAS CASE Workshop Dates: April 6-9, 2025 (students also participate in Advocacy Day congressional visits)
Location: Hilton Arlington, National Landing
Travel Dates: April 6 & 9 (3 overnights)
Eligibility: Full time Cornell doctoral STEM & Social Sciences students from the Ithaca, Geneva and Cornell Tech campuses.

Cornell Doctoral Student Advocacy Day Date: April 9
Travel Dates: April 8 & 9 (1 overnight)
Eligibility: Full time PhD students across all disciplines from the Ithaca, Geneva and Cornell Tech campuses.

Preview of the Application

To make sure you have the required information on hand prior to applying, here’s a short checklist:

• Indicate if you are interested in only Advocacy Day or AAAS CASE Workshop as well
• Provide a list of funding sources from undergrad and graduate financial aid and fellowships
• Look up your congressional representative from your voting address; if not voting eligible, use your local address
• Provide a summary of any previous experience participating in federal advocacy, if any
• Synopsis of your research <250 words
• List of research funding sources
• Brief bio <250 words
• Head shot to share with the Office of Federal Relations and media outreach
• Answer the following questions: prior communication and leadership experience, what you hope to get out of the experience, any ADA requirements or dietary restrictions

Apply now before Feb. 1

Use this qualtrics link to apply

Eligibility

Doctoral students from the Ithaca, Geneva, and Cornell Tech campuses are eligible to apply. Weill Medical applicants will apply through WMC contacts.

For AAAS CASE: students must be enrolled full-time in a Cornell doctoral graduate degree program in one of the following fields: biological, physical, or earth sciences; computational sciences and mathematics; engineering disciplines; medical and health sciences; and social and behavioral sciences. For ADVOCACY DAY all disciplines are welcome. Students from foreign countries are eligible if they are studying here in the U.S.

Sponsorship

Support for participation in the AAAS CASE Workshop and the Cornell Doctoral Student Advocacy Day comes from the Graduate School, Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and the Cornell Office of Federal Relations. There will be no cost to selected participants for travel or accommodations.

Questions?

Please contact Susi Varvayanis via email with any questions or expressions of interest in these opportunities. She will coordinate the application process and Cornell sponsorship.