Women’s Research & Education Institute (WREI) founded in 1977 WREI has been actively involved in researching the issues concerning women in their diversified roles as a homemaker, professional or a public servant and accordingly help shape the public policy addressing these issues.
WREI is a non-profit organization formed under section 501[c][3] with its board of directors coming from various fields who are sensitive to equality for women.
Scholars from WREI get the opportunity in working closely with House and Senate offices as Congressional Fellows on Women & Public Policy. After getting experience on how to shape policies in the corridors of power, many of the scholars have gone on to acquire leadership positions in various structures.
WREI Congressional Fellowships on Women and Public Policy
The eight month Congressional Fellowships on Women and Public Policy 2012 offers fellows exposure to public policy making in the US Congress.
There is no scholarship offered under this program.
Once selected, the fellows come to Washington, DC, for eight months. Following a mandatory two-week orientation to Capitol Hill in January, Fellows meet once a week at issue seminars with women’s advocates, activists, Congressional staff, researchers, and lobbyists. Fellows work a minimum of 40 hours per week from January through August as legislative assistants on policy issues.
The fellows are required to stay in Washington, DC throughout their fellowship tenure of eight months
Eligibility
Only students who are currently enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program at an accredited institution in the United States or who have completed such a program within the past 18 months are eligible. WREI strongly recommends that applicants complete at least nine hours of graduate coursework before applying and have a demonstrated interest in research or political activity related to women’s social and political status. The fellowship is open to women as well women without any age restrictions.
The fellowship is open to all fields of study. Previous fellows have come from such disciplines as law, medicine, political science, social work, film-making, business, and nursing/midwifery.
Compensation
WREI fellows receive a stipend of approximately $1,450 per month for eight months of the academic year (January-August). An additional sum of $500 is provided for the purchase of health insurance. WREI will also reimburse fellows up to a maximum of $1,500 ($750 per semester) for the cost of three hours tuition at their home institutions (books and other non-tuition charges are NOT covered). Fellows are responsible for transportation to and from Washington and for finding their own living arrangements. The number of fellowships for any given year changes according to funding from corporate, union, and foundation sponsors. Over the years, WREI Fellowships have been made possible by such funders Wyeth, the Communications Workers of America, Johnson & Johnson, the Altria Group, the Rapoport Family Foundation, AMGEN, the ILGWU/21st Century Fund, General Mills, Avon, Betta, Emily and Martha Ehrenfeld, and many others.
Selection Criteria
Fellows are selected on the basis of academic competence as well as their demonstrated interest in the public policy process. They must be articulate and adaptable and have strong writing skills. WREI Fellows come from a wide range of academic fields, e.g., medicine, law, nursing, art, science, history, women’s studies, and business administration.
WREI seeks diversity in its fellowship program and welcomes qualified applicants of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation, experience, and academic fields.
Application Procedure
Fellowship applications for 2012 are now open. Fellowship information and applications specific to 2012 may be downloaded from the WREI website. Faxed or late applications will not be considered.
Last date for submitting the applications for WREI Congressional Fellowships on Women and Public Policy is JUNE 10, 2011. For further information and details, please visit the link.
