Program Description

URA seeks to enhance awareness of the science policy engagement process for early career scientists to help bridge the gap between science and policy. Over a 10-week period, students engage virtually in active seminars with experts in science policy and communication. The program culminates in a competition with emerging SPARC Champions visiting Washington D.C. for the Science Policy Summit. The learning goals for this science communication and policy training program include:

• • Communicate science effectively to engage with different sectors of the public

  • Understand the policy-making process and identify stakeholders relevant to science policy issues

  • Advocate for policies based on scientific evidence and data

  • Apply skills to a variety of science policy career paths and cultivate a network of policy professionals

  • Spark a science policy portfolio to forge a path in science advocacy

  For inquiries, please reach out to sparc@ura-hq.org

Program Outcomes 

Through seminars, workshops, and individual drafting sessions, participants developed research and communication skills to build their science policy portfolios. Students completing SPARC will have produced science policy op-eds, one-pagers for Capitol Hill discussions, and 3-min science policy pitches. Examples of student op-eds are listed at the link below. SPARC champions participate in the Science Policy Summit in Washington D.C. for experiential learning in science policy where they meet with federal and legislative policymakers to discuss policy implications of emerging science & technology.

SPARC 2025

Applications for the 2025 SPARC series will be open in May 2025. Applicants should be currently enrolled in a graduate level program with a demonstrated interest in science policy and science communication.