STeP Science, Technology, Policy Fellowship Program
Step into our community and shape science for society!
A LANDMARK PROGRAM OF THE INTER-AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH (IAI) 2021 IAI WHO WE ARE
The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) is an intergovernmental organization supported by 19 countries in the Americas, dedicated to pursuing the principles of scientific excellence, international cooperation, capacity building, and the full and open exchange of scientific information to increase the understanding of global change phenomena and their social-economic implications.
The IAI enables a well-informed, inclusive and sustainable America, which collaboratively meets the challenges posed by global change by supporting flexible science-based policies and actions.
History of the IAI
In 1992, 12 nations of the Americas came together in Montevideo, Uruguay to establish the IAI. The 12 governments, in the Declaration of Montevideo, called for the Institute to develop the best possible international coordination of scientific and economic research of global change in the Americas. Since then, 7 additional nations have acceded to the treaty, and the IAI has now 19 parties in the Americas. IAI INTER-AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, POLICY FELLOWSHIP
The Science, Technology, Policy (STeP) Fellowship Program is an innovative landmark program of the IAI to enhance human and institutional capacities in IAI member countries and to support the provision of expert scientific advice to policy makers for the development of public policy relevant to global change.
Fellows in the STeP program are placed at host government or private organizations to engage first-hand with policy and decision-makers and facilitate the uptake of scientific knowledge into policy processes.
The STeP program is training future Latin America and Caribbean leaders to participate in the science-policy interface supported by professional development and mentorship.
Scientific excellence
Next generation of science and policy-makers
Future leaders in science and active agents of change STeP FELLOWS
STeP fellows will participate in the IAI Inter-American Institute network of S Te P p e e r s a n d a l u m n i . T h i s multinational network creates the means to integrate diverse knowledge and expertise across diferent sectors STeP Fellows and countries. in Argentina and Mexico City 2020-2021
Profile of STeP Fellows: Why be a Fellow?
- Early-career scientists who have - Contribute scientific expertise for the completed a graduate degree (PhD development of more efective policies. or equivalent) in their field of study within the last seven years. - Acquire skills to communicate science more efectively to broad audiences. - Postgraduates in relevant global change fields, including biological, - Broaden career options with experience physical, social sciences, and in diverse sectors beyond academia. engineering in key sectors (e.g., health, water, energy, agriculture, - Develop professionally through training emerging technologies). opportunities on science diplomacy, communication and leadership. - Citizens from IAI member countries.
FORM THE NEXT GENERATION OF Fellows SCIENCE ADVISORS ENGAGE EARLY-CAREER SCIENTISTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES profile TRAIN SCIENTISTS TO HELP SOLVE SOCIETAL PROBLEMS STeP HOST ORGANIZATIONS
Flexible design to meet the needs and priorities of each host country
The STeP host organization must be located in al IAI member country. The host can be a foundation, a private sector entity, or an agency or ministry at any level of government.
Why host a fellow? Why fund a fellow?
- Gain timely scientific advice and - Support practical training of early-career access to specialized expertise in- scientists in leadership, communication, house. and science-policy.
- Broaden connections, networks, and - Facilitate the incorporation of scientific collaborations across sectors and information into policy processes in key countries. sectors of government and industry.
- Create job opportunities for the - Promote the development of regionally repatriation of national scientists living specific training material to better abroad. communicate scientific information to support decision making in the public and private sectors.
- Further the repatriation of national scientists living and working abroad.
Host - Sponsor activities of multinational networks of science-policy fellows to organizations exchange expertise. STeP PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
For almost 30 years, IAI has actively engaged with a broad array of stakeholders in the region (government agencies, universities and research institutions, NGOs, private organizations) developing science, policy and capacity building programs. IAI will develop and provide a two-year professional development program of core training activities tailored for scientists and policy makers working in Latin America and the Caribbean in the pillar areas of Science Diplomacy, Communication, and Leadership.
Training Pillar Core Activities
- SCIENCE DIPLOMACY
Learn the fundamentals of science policy, advisement, and diplomacy as well as how the three are inherently interconnected and applied in LAC. Apply a Train-the-Trainers methodology to increase fellowship impact and build institutional capacity.
COMMUNICATION Science Diplomacy Training - Module 2: - National, regional and thematic approaches to Science Diplomacy Learn the fundamental skills of professional, digital, and science communication and actively practice techniques for credible, clear, and consistent communication that is easily understood by targeted audiences of non-specialists.
- LEADERSHIP
Build skills using a transdisciplinary approach to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to inform policy makers and co-create strategic visions for problem-solving in global change and Science diplomacy Communication Leadership sustainable development. INTER-AMERICAN NETWORK
The IAI is keen to create an inter-American network of Fellows, host institutions and STeP participating countries and IAI alumni to exchange lessons learned and share experiences and best practices in science to policy and policy to science. The power of the network cannot be overstated.
Networking Aims
- Foster opportunities for multinational collaboration among host organizations and countries. - Broaden STeP Fellow career options with experience in diverse sectors beyond academia. - Build opportunities to practice career/professional networking skills through formal training and informal activities. - Increase awareness of the value of science advice in the policy/decision making community through shared educational experiences.
Canadian Science Policy Fellows
US Science & Techonology Policy Fellows International Network for Government Science Advice – Latin America and the Caribbean
Mexico City STeP_SECTEI - Fellows Ministry of Science, Technology, Education and Innovation
IAI Science, Technology, Policy Argentinian STeP_CREA - Fellows Fellows Regional Consortium for Agricultural Experiments
IAI and STeP Collaborations
Argentina and Mexico are the first countries to join STeP in Latin America. In 2020, IAI partnered with Argentina's CREA and Mexico's SECTEI to implement the first STeP pilots on the cohorts of sustainable agriculture with the private sector and sustainable cities with the public sector.
In addition, the IAI has developed collaborations with AAAS (USA) and Mitacs (Canada) Science, Technology, Policy Fellowship programs in the STeP professional development training in Science Diplomacy to address transboundary and regional issues, and connect Latin American and Caribbean STeP fellows with North American fellows. CONTACT
iai_news
www.iai.int/en/step
Av. Italia 6201. Edificio Los Tilos - Of. 102 11500 Montevideo, Uruguay
Become a fellow!
Host a fellow!
Fund a fellow!