The MIT Science Policy Initiative will be coordinating our 2025 Congressional Visit Days from March 30th through April 1st. Applications are open through January 31.
Through a training series in collaboration with the MIT Policy Lab and the MIT Washington DC Office, you will learn how to schedule and lead constituent meetings with your Senators' and House Representatives' offices to advocate for science-based policies and continued science funding. CVD takes place in Washington DC, the heart of U.S. politics, over the course of three days, and is an excellent opportunity to step into the shoes of policy advisors and advocates. Assuming you complete all requirements, you will be reimbursed for/provided with travel, hotels, and meals. No prior experience with policy or advocacy is required.
Participants are required to be active in the preparation for CVD. Each participant will learn how to, and is required to:
schedule and lead meetings with Congressional offices
research Members of Congress to prepare for those meetings
learn about your research field's policy ecosystem
attend all preparatory meetings
follow up after the event
In the weeks leading up to CVD we will hold three mandatory training sessions to prepare for CVD. The introductory training will have two in-person offerings (i.e., you must attend one) on February 20th from 6pm-8pm and February 21st from 4pm-6pm. The second training will be February 28th 12-3pm in person. The third training will be March 13th, 3-4pm (hybrid with zoom option). The first two training sessions will provide food.
Apply now by filling out this form -- space is limited! The event is open to all MIT undergraduate, graduate students, and post-docs. For graduate students / postdocs, we are interested in learning more about your research focus. For undergraduates we're interested in learning more about your UROP research experience(s) or major (or intended major) scientific emphasis as applicable. Unfortunately, cross-registered students are NOT eligible to apply.
Contact CVD co-chairs Julian Ufert and Mallory Kastner at spi-cvd@mit.edu with questions or concerns. Decisions will be communicated by February 13th at the latest.