The Scholar application will go live at 2:00 pm CST and early deadline to submit applications is March 24th 2023. Rolling submission until April 7th

To apply, send completed materials to uie-connection@illinois.edu.

Program Description

The Illini Science Policy Program is a unique opportunity for graduate students with an interest in public service careers completing their degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The program matches highly motivated and qualified Scholars with hosts in Illinois public agencies or legislative offices for a 12-month paid appointment working in University of Illinois Extension’s critical issue areas – food, economy, environment, community, and health. Hosts provide an educational opportunity for Scholars to explore public research, management, and policy issues at a high level, while the Scholars provide substantial professional contributions to the office.

Hosts will supervise, mentor and provide opportunities for Scholars to be involved in critical issues that support the scholar’s professional and educational goals. Scholars work with the host office full-time, on site and with other staff and/or leadership, as appropriate. As part of their experience, Scholars will collaborate on an Extension project that aligns with their program assignments, connecting to Extension’s network of nearly 700 staff across all 102 Illinois counties.

Legislative Host Placement

• Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation
• Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation
• Illinois Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Juliana Stratton

State Agency Host Placement

• Illinois Department of Agriculture, Division of Natural Resources 
• Illinois Board of Higher Education | Early Childhood Equity Consortium (Workforce Development)
• Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, Education Group
• Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Broadband (may place 2 Scholars)
• Illinois Emergency Management Agency (pending)

Download Host Information and Overview

Eligibility

The Illini Science Policy Program is open for participation by graduate students completing an advanced degree (Masters, Doctoral, or J.D.) from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign between May of 2022  and Aug 31, 2023. Graduates should have interest and expertise relating to University of Illinois Extension’s critical issue areas: food, economy, environment, community, and/or health. Scholars must complete all degree requirements prior to beginning their appointment.

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

This is a security-sensitive position.  Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will be conducted. The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.

Application deadline: Early deadline to submit applications is March 24th, 2023. Rolling submission until April 7th. Download the application.

Applications must include the following: 

1. A completed Scholar Application Template. This includes a personal education and career goal statement that emphasizes the applicant's abilities and interests and the applicant's expectations of the program (800 words or less).
2.  Academic curriculum vitae or resume (two pages or less using 12-point font).
3. Two letters of professional recommendation, including one from the student's major professor. If no major professor exists, the faculty member who is most familiar with the applicant academically may be substituted.
4. Copies of graduate student transcripts. Unofficial copies will be accepted.
5. Proof of graduation by start of appointment will be required.

How to submit your application:

• Submit electronic files comprising your application as PDFs to uie-connection@illinois.edu.
• Include your last name in the file names for each section of the proposal (e.g., Smith_statement.pdf or Smith_cv.pdf), if you do not combine your files into one pdf.
• IMPORTANT: To maintain confidentiality, letters of recommendation should be submitted directly from the referee to Extension at uie-connection@illinois.edu by the application deadline to be considered. Please address letters to Dr. Shelly Nickols-Richardson, Director, University of Illinois Extension.  Late submissions may lead to the rejection of incomplete applications. Candidates are encouraged to work with referees to meet the deadline. 
• Late applications cannot be accepted.  It is your responsibility to get materials submitted before the deadline.

Finalists are selected by staff at University of Illinois Extension and participating host offices based on written application materials and interviews (in person, Skype, or phone) of a subset of applicants. Selection criteria include: academic ability, communication skills, diversity and appropriateness of academic background, career goals, additional qualifying experience, and support referrals.

Hosts will be invited to screen applicants with Extension personnel in late March and identify finalists for interview. Hosts and finalists will schedule interviews in March, with scholar matches announced by April 19. Placement of a Scholar in each prospective host office is not guaranteed.

Matched Scholars will work with the program coordinator to identify Extension projects aligned with their assignments to engage with, for a total of 2 months FTE over the course of the 12-month appointment, distributed as makes sense for the project.

Legislative Host Placement

• Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation
• Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation
• Illinois Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Juliana Stratton
• Congressional appointment – potential position (pending)

State Agency Host Placement

• Illinois Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health and Welfare (pending)
• Illinois Department of Agriculture, Division of Natural Resources (pending)
• Illinois Board of Higher Education | College Readiness
• Illinois Board of Higher Education | Early Childhood
• Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, Education Group
• Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Broadband

Download Host Scope of work / project snapshots

Learn about the Scholars' placement in their own words. Read the blog!

Past State Agency Partners
Illinois Board of Higher Education (2021)
Illinois Department of Agriculture, Meat and Poultry Division (2020)
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Broadband (2020, 2021)
Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, Education Group (2020)

Past Legislative Partners
Illinois Legislative Black Caucus / Black Caucus Foundation (2020,2021)
Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus / Latino Caucus Foundation (2020, 2021)
Illinois Office of the Lieutenant Governor (2021)

For additional information about the program contact:

Dr. Evangeline Pianfetti
Outreach Associate, Government Relations | Director Illini Science Policy Program
(217)244-7568
esecaras@illinois.edu