Science Policy
day one project

Early Career Science Policy Accelerator

01.24.22 | 1 min read

To meet this moment when the country faces critical challenges such as COVID-19, climate change, and intensified competition with U.S. leadership in science, technology, and innovation, we are working together with the National Science Policy Network (NSPN) to identify a cohort of early career researchers — new, diverse voices — to generate a compelling set of actionable new policy proposals, and shape the future of science policy.

​By harnessing the creativity and energy of diverse, early-career researchers with the proven track record of a FAS Day One Science Policy Accelerator, we hope to empower new voices to develop compelling policy ideas into actionable policy memos and mobilize decision-makers to make changes that improve people’s well-being.

Meet the Cohort
Staff Fellow
Christopher J. Gillespie
Science and Democracy,
Biotechnology and Society,
Innovation & Economic Competitiveness,
Climate Resilience,
Sustainable Agriculture,
Ecosystems Governance
Policy Entrepreneurship Fellow
John Tracey
Electricity Grid Policy,
Transmission Policy
Health Equity Policy Manager
Grace Wickerson
Medical Innovation,
Emerging Technologies
Technical Editor
Lyndsey Gray
Space Diplomacy,
U.S. Foreign Policy,
Technology Innovation,
International Commercial Regulation,
Space Debris Mitigation
Anh Diep
Katerina Graf
Zoe Kanavas
Sophia Kaska
Shivana Lightman
Matt Malencia
Jennifer Panlilio
Hanny Rivera
Sonia Roberts
Shane Rozen-Levy
Laura Stoy
Read their ideas
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Science Policy
day one project
Policy Memo
CLimate Improvements through Modern Biotechnology (CLIMB) — A National Center for Bioengineering Solutions to Climate Change and Environmental Challenges

The federal government can accelerate capabilities and applications of environmental biotechnology by establishing the CLimate Improvements through Modern Biotechnology (CLIMB) Center.

05.19.22 | 11 min read
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Science Policy
day one project
Policy Memo
Addressing the Mental Health Crisis Among Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Researchers in STEM

The federal government must ensure that success for early-career STEM professionals does not demand mental-health sacrifice.

05.11.22 | 7 min read
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Science Policy
day one project
Policy Memo
Creating a National HVDC Transmission Network

A significant increase in transmission capacity is needed to meet the Biden Administration’s efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

05.05.22 | 11 min read
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Science Policy
day one project
Policy Memo
Reduce, Repurpose, Recharge: Establishing a Collaborative Doctrine of Groundwater Management in the Ogallala Aquifer

The federal government should create a Reduce, Repurpose, Recharge Initiative (RRRI): a voluntary program designed to keep farmers engaged in groundwater conservation in the Ogallala Aquifer.

05.04.22 | 7 min read
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Science Policy
day one project
Policy Memo
Establishing the AYA Research Institute: Increasing Data Capacity and Community Engagement for Environmental-Justice Tools

The Biden Administration should create the “AYA Research Institute” to increase federal capacity to identify and resolve environmental justice issues.

05.03.22 | 6 min read
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Social Innovation
day one project
Policy Memo
Establishing Village Corps: A National Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program at AmeriCorps

Establishing a new ECE-focused branch of AmeriCorps is an innovative solution that builds on existing programmatic infrastructure to use talent and funds efficiently and equitably.

04.28.22 | 9 min read
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Science Policy
day one project
Policy Memo
Establishing a National Endemic Disease Surveillance Initiative (NEDSI)

The Biden-Harris Administration should establish a National Endemic Disease Surveillance Initiative (NEDSI) to remove barriers to tracking and predicting endemic, infectious diseases.

04.27.22 | 7 min read
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Technology & Innovation
day one project
Policy Memo
Taking Out the Space Trash: Creating an Advanced Market Commitment for Recycling and Removing Large-Scale Space Debris

The sustainability and security of Earth’s outer orbit and the future success of launch missions depend on the removal of sixty years’ worth of accumulated space debris.

04.26.22 | 11 min read
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Science Policy
day one project
Policy Memo
Combating Bias in Medical Innovation

The Biden-Harris Administration must act to address bias in medical technology at the development, testing and regulation, and market-deployment and evaluation phases.

04.26.22 | 17 min read
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Science Policy
day one project
Policy Memo
Regulating Probiotic Use and Improving Veterinary Care to Bolster Honeybee Health

The FDA and USDA should improve the administration of antibiotics in apiculture and strengthen the regulation of pre- and probiotic supplements marketed to commercial beekeepers. 

04.20.22 | 6 min read
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Science Policy
day one project
Policy Memo
Carbon Capture in the Industrial Sector: Addressing Training, Startups, and Risk

This is the ideal time to expand U.S. climate strategy into an “all of the above” solution that includes carbon capture and storage as a core component.

04.19.22 | 7 min read
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