The MIT Science Policy Initiative will be coordinating our 2025 Congressional Visit Days from March 22nd through March 24th. Applications are open through January 28th.
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. At least two of the training sessions will provide food. These trainings will be held at the following dates and times:
February 17th from 6pm-8pm (in person)
February 20th from 1pm-4pm (in person)
March 16th from 5pm-7pm (in person)
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 Audrey Parker and Ian Robertson under spi-cvd@mit.edu with questions or concerns. Decisions will be communicated by February 10th at the latest.