Application Guide

How to Apply for Director, Fellowships and Products

at Federation of American Scientists

🏢 About Federation of American Scientists

The Federation of American Scientists is a unique nonpartisan organization that bridges the gap between scientific expertise and public policy, focusing on national security, emerging technologies, and science policy. Unlike traditional think tanks, FAS operates hands-on initiatives like the Day One Project and FAS Talent Hub that directly connect technical experts with government opportunities, creating tangible impact at the intersection of science and governance.

About This Role

This Director role involves leading the strategic integration of FAS's two flagship initiatives—the Day One Project (policy idea generation) and FAS Talent Hub (expert placement)—into a unified platform for policy entrepreneurship. You'll be responsible for creating scalable products that simultaneously generate innovative policy solutions and cultivate technical talent for government roles, directly advancing FAS's mission of connecting science with public policy impact.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve strategic meetings with the Day One Project and Talent Hub teams to align integration efforts, developing fundraising proposals for the unified platform, and connecting with government contacts to identify policy opportunities that match FAS's technical expert network. You'd likely spend time designing scalable program products while ensuring both initiatives maintain their impact during the consolidation process.

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🎯 Who Federation of American Scientists Is Looking For

  • A leader with 10+ years experience including 5+ years managing complex programs who has successfully integrated multiple initiatives into a unified platform
  • Someone with proven fundraising success for science/policy initiatives and strong donor relationships in the philanthropic or government funding space
  • An individual with deep science and technology policy expertise who understands how technical experts inform government decision-making processes
  • A networker with established connections across government agencies, policy circles, and scientific communities who can open doors for FAS initiatives

📝 Tips for Applying to Federation of American Scientists

1

Demonstrate specific experience integrating multiple programs or initiatives into a unified platform, not just managing separate programs

2

Quantify your fundraising achievements for science/policy initiatives, specifying donor types and amounts raised

3

Highlight your network within specific government agencies (like OSTP, DOE, DOD) and scientific communities relevant to FAS's focus areas

4

Show how you've scaled policy or talent programs with concrete metrics on reach expansion and impact measurement

5

Reference specific FAS initiatives (Day One Project or Talent Hub) in your application materials to show genuine understanding of their work

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience integrating multiple initiatives into a unified platform, with specific examples from past roles', 'Demonstrated success in fundraising for science/policy programs and relationships with relevant donor communities', 'Your understanding of how technical expertise informs government decision-making, with examples from your background', 'Specific ideas for scaling the Day One Project and Talent Hub integration based on your experience with similar initiatives']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Study the Day One Project's policy memos and Talent Hub fellowship placements to understand their current operations and impact
  • → Research FAS's recent reports and initiatives on emerging technologies and national security to understand their policy focus areas
  • → Review FAS leadership backgrounds and organizational structure to understand decision-making processes
  • → Investigate FAS's funding sources and donor community through their annual reports and public disclosures

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach integrating the Day One Project and Talent Hub into a single platform while maintaining their distinct value propositions?
2 Describe your most successful fundraising campaign for a science/policy initiative and how you cultivated those donor relationships
3 How have you previously scaled policy or talent programs, and what metrics did you use to measure impact?
4 Which specific government agencies and scientific communities in your network would be most valuable to FAS's mission, and why?
5 What replicable products could you develop to make the integrated platform sustainable and scalable over the next 3-5 years?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with generic leadership experience that doesn't specifically address program integration or science policy expertise
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of how FAS's two flagship initiatives currently operate and their distinct purposes
  • Presenting fundraising experience without specific examples related to science, technology, or policy initiatives

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Federation of American Scientists!

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