Deadline: November 12, 2019
The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program is now accepting applications for the 2020-2021 Fellowship. The AEF program provides a unique opportunity for accomplished K-12 educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to serve in the national education arena. Fellows spend eleven months working in Federal agencies or in U.S. Congressional offices, applying their extensive knowledge and classroom experiences to national education program and/or education policy efforts.
At the end of the Fellowship, educators are prepared to return home, equipped with access to a national network of education leaders and programs, a better understanding of the challenges and possibilities in STEM education, and a renewed passion for teaching, ready to make significant contributions to their schools and school districts.
Current sponsoring agencies include the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Library of Congress (LOC), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).
Benefits
Each AEF Program Fellow:
- Spends eleven months in a Federal agency or U.S. Congressional office engaged in education policy and/or program related activities, bringing their experience as an educator to the offices in which they serve.
- Receives a monthly living stipend of $7,500.
- Has a travel allowance of up to $5,000 for approved travel requested by their host agency. Limitations on foreign travel will vary by agency.
- Develops professional development plans to guide individual professional development objectives outside their host office responsibilities with ongoing mentoring provided by the AEF Program.
- Has an education allowance of up to $1,000 for approved expenses aligned with the Fellow’s individual professional development plan, including courses, conferences, and professional books.
- Receives professional development opportunities throughout the year, including opportunities for Fellows to interact with various organizations, associations and experts who focus on STEM education.
- Is reimbursed for moving/relocations expenses up to $3,500 for Fellows relocating from outside of the Washington, DC area.
- Is eligible to receive a stipend of up to $550 per month (individual plan) or $1,300 per month (family plan) to offset the cost of health insurance.
- Receives designated office space and agency/office-specific orientation and training.
Eligibility
- Be a U.S. citizen at the time of applying (by the November 14, 2019 application deadline).
- Have a minimum of five complete years of full-time classroom teaching experience prior to submitting the application. Student teaching does not count toward this minimum full-time teaching requirement.
- Have been teaching full-time in a public or private elementary or secondary school for at least five of the last seven years in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) discipline. Current employment may be as an educator or district official.
- Be currently employed full-time in a public or private elementary or secondary school or school district in the U.S.
- Be able to provide a letter of recommendation from a school district official as one of their three required letters of recommendation.
- Be able to obtain a leave of absence from teaching in order to participate in the program for the full eleven months.
In addition:
- Current and former AEF Program Fellows are not eligible to apply for a second fellowship.
- Eligible individuals may apply a maximum of three times within a six year period.
Application
- All applications to the AEF Program must be completed online through the online application system.
- The online application system will guide applicants through the application requirements. The Check Your Statuspage will keep applicants informed on the status of their applications before and after the application is submitted.
- Applicants must meet all the eligibility requirements.
- All applications, including recommendations, are due by the specified application deadline.
- Only complete applications submitted by the deadline will be considered for evaluation and placement.
- Materials uploaded into the application system will provide the sole basis for evaluation.
For more information, visit AEF program.
