Stipend levels for AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships reflect the fundamental fact that the fellowships are not offers of permanent employment, and that their educational value to the fellows includes dimensions not usually found in the latter. Consequently, stipend levels are not structured to be competitive with salaries for full-time employment.
Level I
Fellows with 0-7 years of post-doctorate, full-time employment (for engineers with a master’s degree, 3-7 years professional engineering employment) who do not meet any of the criteria stated below receive a stipend based on an equivalent of the federal general schedule (GS) Grade 12 Step 1, established by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for the DC/MD/VA-area in the January before the fellowship start date. Renewing fellows in this category receive a stipend equivalent to the GS Grade 12 Step 2 established by OPM in the January before the fellowship renewal start date.
Level II
Fellows with 7-15 years of post-doctorate, full-time employment (engineers with a master’s degree, 7-15 years professional engineering employment) or whose salary prior to the fellowship (exclusive of benefits) was equal to, or more than, the first-year Level II stipend, receive a stipend equivalent to GS Grade 12 Step 5, established by OPM for the DC/MD/VA-area in the January before the fellowship start date. Renewing fellows in this category receive a stipend equivalent to GS Grade 12 Step 6, established by OPM in the January before the fellowship renewal start date.
Level III
Fellows who have more than 15 years of post-doctorate, full-time employment (engineers with a master’s degree, 15 years or more professional engineering employment) or whose salary prior to the fellowship (exclusive of benefits) was equal to, or higher than, the Level III stipend, receive a stipend equivalent to GS Grade 12 Step 10 established by OPM for the DC/MD/VA-area in the January before the fellowship start date. Renewing fellows in this category will receive a stipend equivalent to another step increase from GS Grade 12 Step 10.
The length of post degree experience will be determined as of the first day of the fellowship (September 1). If, in accordance with the foregoing guidelines, a new fellow believes they qualify for a higher stipend level than initially offered, it will be their responsibility to provide supporting documentation to that effect within the deadline outlined in the stipend survey. Final determination of the stipend level will be made by STPF. Once determined, the fellow’s stipend level will not change during the fellowship tenure.
Fellows who in the year immediately prior successfully completed an STPF fellowship in the executive, judicial or legislative branches will receive the equivalent of the step increase in the first year of their new fellowship.
In no case will the salary for fellows hired directly by agencies be below the GS Grade 12 Step 1 for first-year fellows, or below the GS Grade 12 Step 2 for second-year fellows.
The federal government maintains its own procedures for evaluating appropriate civil service classifications for positions, as well as the experience, education, and skills of the individuals who fill them. Many agencies human resources personnel have collaborated to conform to the STPF-designated stipend levels. In some cases, the agency determination may not be based on the AAAS STPF level.
Fellows placed under the Federal Schedule A Authority who believe they qualify for compensation at a higher level should contact their agency’s human resources representative.