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AMS Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) Workshop

Every year, the American Mathematical Society (AMS) sponsors two students to participate in the Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) workshop, organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The CASE Workshop introduces STEM students to the federal policy-making process, and empowers them to become advocates for basic research throughout their careers.

Selected students will each receive up to US$1600 to travel to and participate in a three-and-a-half day workshop in Washington, D.C., learning about the structure and organization of Congress, the federal budget and appropriations processes, and tools for effective science communication and civic engagement. The AMS will cover all workshop and travel costs. Sponsored students must attend the entire workshop.
 

PhD Students Sumun Iyer and Sangsan Wakkagan This experience gave me a much deeper idea of what science policy work is like. It was eye opening to see the kinds of questions that policymakers are interested in and the kinds of data and arguments they find meaningful. It was also interesting to get a sense of the culture in congress, advocacy groups, and executive agencies and especially the differences in culture between politics and academia. -- Sumun Iyer, Cornell University
 

The workshop was an effective crash course that covered a wide range of topics, from the history of the United States federal government’s science policy framework to nitty-gritty details of Congressional procedures. In three days, I learned how bills become laws, how research gets funded, and how to engage with lawmakers; I heard from people on both sides, from congressional offices and federal agencies, from Democrats and Republicans; I had conversations with graduate students in other fields from different schools, whom I may not have much chance to interact with otherwise. Most excitingly, I had an opportunity to visit my representatives’ offices, making a case for mathematics research and education. -- Sangsan Wakkagan, Boston College

Apply now for the 2024 AMS CASE Workshop

Sponsorship eligibility requirements:  Students must be an AMS student member or enrolled full-time in an undergraduate (preferably an upper classman) or graduate degree program in the mathematical sciences at an AMS member institution. Students from foreign countries are eligible if studying here in the United States.

How to apply: Please submit a one-page resume, a brief statement of interest (maximum 500 words), and the contact information for two references. References are not required to submit letters but should be asked for their permission to list their contact information.

Application Deadline: February 18, 2024

 
AMS :: CASE Workshop Application

Submit your application

To submit an application for Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE), please fill in the applicable fields below and upload your resume.

Please submit a one-page resume (including contact information for two references) and a brief statement of interest (maximum 500 words).

Acceptable file types are: *.doc, *.docx, *.pdf, *.txt