Apply as a Scholar

Your time is now.

We match 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. Apply through the Illinois Job Board beginning February 5, 2024. The position will be listed as: Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Illini Science Policy Scholar

Learn more about past ISPP Scholars:

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

2024-2025 HOST SITES

Legislative Host Placements

  • Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation
  • Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation
  • Illinois Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Juliana Stratton
  • Congressional Placement:  Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) - Illinois Office

State Agency Host Placements

  • Illinois Department of Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security
  • Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, Education Group
  • Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Broadband
  • The Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD)

    Download to see Host Information and Project Overviews.

Timeline

  • February 5: Scholar applications open. (Rolling submissions)
  • March 4: Final day for early applications from potential scholars.
    • positions will remain open until filled
  • March 6 to April 12: Application review
    • Review for eligibility
    • Interviews by university and host agencies
  • April 15-18: Matching process
  • End April / Early May: Host / Scholar matches announced
  • July 16, 2024: ISPP Scholar placement begin
  • July 15, 2025: latest ISPP Scholar placement can ends 
Our previous partners

Legislative Host Placements

  • Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation
  • Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation
  • Illinois Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Juliana Stratton

State Agency Host Placements

  • Illinois Department of Agriculture, Division of Natural Resources 
  • Illinois Board of Higher Education | Early Childhood Consortium (Workforce Development)
  • Illinois Board of Higher Education | College Readiness
  • Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, Education Group
  • Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Broadband

Download to see Host Scope of work / project snapshots from this current year 2022-23.

Past State Agency Partners
Illinois Board of Higher Education (2021)
Illinois Department of Agriculture, Meat and Poultry Division (2020)
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Broadband (2020, 2021)
Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, Education Group (2020)

Past Legislative Partners
Illinois Legislative Black Caucus / Black Caucus Foundation (2020,2021)
Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus / Latino Caucus Foundation (2020, 2021)
Illinois Office of the Lieutenant Governor (2021)