Are you interested in a career in public service?

The Illini Science Policy Program is a unique post-graduate opportunity for students graduating from University of Illinois between May 2023 and August 2024 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.

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. 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 opportunity to the scholars who will, in turn, provide substantial professional contributions to the office, drawing from the latest advances at University of Illinois’ flagship campus. 
• Scholars must be recent graduates with masters, doctoral, J.D. or professional degrees who work with the host office full-time, on site, and with other project partners as appropriate. As part of their experience, scholars will contribute to Extension initiatives that align with their assignments.
• 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

Registration for ISPP Scholar Cohort 5 will open in early Spring through the Illinois Job Board. The position will be listed as: Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Illini Science Policy Scholar

Example Deadlines 

• February 2025: Scholar applications open. (Rolling submissions)
• March 2025: Final day for early applications from potential scholars.
  • positions will remain open until filled
• March 6 to April 12 2025: Application review
  • Review for eligibility
  • Interviews by university and host agencies
• April 15-18 2025: Matching process
• End April / Early May 2025: Host / Scholar matches announced
• July 16, 2025: ISPP Scholar placement begin
• July 15, 2026: latest ISPP Scholar placement can ends