Tech & Public Policy Scholars Program

The McCourt School of Public Policy is pleased to invite applicants for the 2023-24 Tech & Public Policy Scholars Program. The program will provide up to five students enrolled in McCourt School graduate programs (MPP, MPM, MIDP, and MS-DSPP) in the academic year 2023-24 with opportunities to help shape the future of technology policy. 

Scholars receive a partial-tuition scholarship of up to $35,000 for tuition expenses in academic year 2023-24, a paid research assistantship to work with select Georgetown faculty and affiliated research centers on projects related to technology policy, and access to special events, discussions, and mentorship through the Tech & Public Policy Program.

Once selected, scholars will be matched to a research assistantship with Georgetown faculty based on students’ alignment with the research team’s needs, position duties, and areas of interest.

Application

Interested applicants should submit a brief application here by Friday, March 17, 2023, by 5:00 pm EST for consideration for the 2023-24 scholars cohort. Decisions are expected to be made and communicated to applicants by Monday, April 3, 2023.

Details

  • Eligible applicants include all prospective students applying to one of the McCourt School’s four graduate programs (MPP, MS-DSPP, MPM, and MIDP) for the academic year (AY) 2023-24, as well as current students who will be enrolled in one of those programs over the same period. Both domestic and international students are eligible to apply.
  • Awarded students will demonstrate interest in issues of technology policy.
  • Awarded students will receive scholarships of up to $35,000 which may be applied toward AY 2023-24 course credits. 
  • Awarded students will be matched to full-year Research Assistantships with select McCourt School and Georgetown faculty and affiliated research centers, expecting to work 10-20 hours per week at an hourly rate of $21.00, for the length of the position (approximate: September 4, 2023, to May 10, 2024).

Skills Requirements

Depending on the specific Research Assistantship, scholars will support the faculty or research teams on a range of projects related to examining and advancing human-centered policy solutions to challenges posed by current and future technologies. Necessary skills include:

  • Knowledge and experience with the U.S. and/or international public policy process and government institutions.
  • Passion for investigating pressing issues in technology and policy, such as the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence, harnessing data science to advance human rights, responsible platform data scraping, using technology to deliver government services more efficiently, harmonizing U.S. and EU data laws, and other issue areas in tech and policy.
  • Experience managing research, including tracking and reporting. Ability to work well within a team environment.
  • Experience in quantitative and qualitative research and analysis, relevant to projects such as compiling literature reviews, retrieving and analyzing data, and assisting with data visualization.
  • Exceptional writing skills, interpersonal skills and verbal communication skills.
  • Excellent project management and organizational skills.
  • Technical software skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) and preference for familiarity with Stata, R, and/or Python.