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Building On Fellowships. Lenka Fedorková, Ph.D. AAAS S&T Policy Fellow NIH - Office of Technology Transfer FLC Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting September 14, 2005, Cumberland, MD. AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Programs http://fellowships.aaas.org/.
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Building On Fellowships Lenka Fedorková, Ph.D. AAAS S&T Policy Fellow NIH - Office of Technology Transfer FLC Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting September 14, 2005, Cumberland, MD
AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Programshttp://fellowships.aaas.org/ • Objective – to improve public policy-making through infusion of science, establish and nurture a critical link between decision-makers and scientific professionals • Ideal for transitioning Ph.D.s - flexibility • Unique opportunity to grow professionally • Unmatched exposure to shared resources – strategic placements • Network that lasts a lifetime • Broadened future career prospects
Program Design • 11 participating programs: • Congressional (personal offices & committees) • Diplomacy: State Department, USAID, NIH - Fogarty IC • NSF, NIH, EPA, HHS • DHS, • DOD, • USDA, • NTI Global Security
Program Design • Engage in key decision-making processes to learn content-specific, leadership and other ‘soft skills’ leading up to the next job. • Set policies, conduct research, interact with key officials, lead discussions, represent at local & international meetings • Educational & networking seminars, meetings through out the year (incl. 2 week orientation), resources
Results • Scientists talking to non-scientists • Closing gap on miscommunication • Better designed & implemented policies • Efficiency is achieved for everyone • Expanded base of uniquely trained cadre of professionals = local capacity building
Scope of Work at OTT • Profiling R&D infrastructure in Central & Eastern Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa. • Targeted marketing projects and finding new leads for collaboration with OTT • Web site for technologies related to neglected diseases http://www.ott.nih.gov/NegDis_ovrvw.html • Licensing NIH inventions • US-Hungary High Tech Innovation conference • Professional training, meetings, conferences
Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Program at NIH-OTT • NIH –based fellowship and internship opportunities • Since 2003 • 20% research at NIH, 80% OTT • Work scope: technology transfer, marketing, policy
Conclusions & Lessons • Fellowships - a tool for filling professional workforce gaps • Career flexibility not available in other country systems -- cross-disciplinary approach may attract and retain local talent • Model tailored to local needs can utilize local resources -- less $