Illini Science Policy Program

Are you interested in a career in public service?

The Illini Science Policy Program is a unique post-graduate opportunity for students graduating from any of the University of Illinois campuses and who are interested in University of Illinois Extension’s critical issue areas – food, economy, environment, community, and health – and the policy decisions affecting those resources. 

The Illini Science Policy Program has three main goals:

• To unite public agencies, Illinois Extension, and top graduates to address substantive and emerging issues of public concern relating to community, economy, environment, food, and health,
• To facilitate the training and development of the next generation of public sector leaders in Illinois, and
• To support and model the university’s mission of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access through its own model of practice.
• To amplify and elevate strategic partnerships for the College of ACES and Illinois Extension with state and legislative offices.

How it works: This program matches highly motivated and qualified graduate students completing their degree from UIUC, UIS or UIC with hosts in public agencies or the Illinois legislature for a 12-month paid appointment. Position may have the option to be renewed for an additional year dependent on funding or programmatic needs. Illini Science Policy Scholars explore public service careers at a high level, receiving support through mentoring, training, and networking events and establishing professional connections across multiple agencies and stakeholders. The Illini Science Policy Program began in 2020.

• Scholar assignments are identified by host offices, which may include local, state and federal agencies and legislative offices in Illinois.
• Hosts provide an educational and professional opportunity to the scholars who will, in turn, provide substantial professional contributions to the office, drawing from the latest advances at University of Illinois campuses.
• Scholars must be recent Illinois graduates with masters, doctoral, J.D. or professional degrees who work with the host office full-time, on site or hybrid as permitted by the host, and with other project partners as appropriate. As part of their experience, scholars will contribute to Extension initiatives.
• Program Guide frames the ISPP program. Take a look at the 2023-24 program guide to get a sense of the ISPP program. This program guide will be updated for the 2024-25 Cohort. This program guide is to be used as an example: 2023-24 Program Guide

Learn more about past ISPP Scholars:

• ISPP Scholar May Showcase overview 2024-2025
• ISPP Scholar May Showcase overview 2021-2022
• ISPP Scholar May Showcase overview 2022-2023

At this time, we are anticipating opening up the application cycle for Cohort 7 in late January, early February 2026. For more information, please contact ISPP Director, Dr. Evangeline Pianfetti esecaras@illinois.edu .