Policy Primer

The Policy Primer is a part-time, unpaid virtual program that teaches early to mid-career professionals how to impact policy. The program consists of a four-week policy bootcamp where participants learn the basics of policy structures and policy skills like how to write for policy. The bootcamp is followed by a one-week policy project where participants put their newfound policy skills to work on a real-world project.

Participants must have deep expertise in one of our four core focus areas: tech, science, climate, and social impact. They will learn skills in our three core program areas:

  • Policy Impact: We teach participants how to change policy (without lobbying) through practical interactive sessions. Students learn how to develop and refine policy solutions, map stakeholders, and effectively advocate to those decision makers. 
  • Communicating for Policy: We teach participants how to effectively communicate with policy stakeholders. We teach skills such as how to put “Bottom Line Up Front” and translate complicated concepts into plain language. We also teach students how to write policy memos.
  • Policy Stakeholders: We introduce participants to key policy stakeholders and structures. We teach participants how the executive, legislative, and judicial branches work. We also explore topics including state and local policymaking.

Before applying, please carefully review the Primer details, eligibility requirements, and frequently asked questions below.

Application Deadline
Monday, January 6, 2025, at 11:59pm PT

Timeline
October 22, 2024 – January 6, 2025: Application window is open. 

By mid-February 2025: Participants are notified of their acceptance. 

March 4 – April 6, 2025: Primer program runs.

  • March 4–5: Two-Day Orientation from 8am – 3pm PT / 11am – 6pm ET 
  • March 6–28: Sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30am – 10:30am PT / 11:30am – 1:30pm ET 
  • March 28 – April 6: Project Week, with optional office hours on April 1, 2, and 3, from 8:30am – 10:30am PT / 11:30am – 1:30pm ET

Eligibility
We are looking for tech, science, climate, and social impact subject-matter experts interested in influencing policy.

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and must be participating in their personal capacity. Because this program is for people who want to impact US policymaking, successful applicants must either live or be able to work in the United States.

Applicants must be able to commit to attending two (2) all-day virtual orientation sessions and ten (10) 2-hour virtual sessions during the course dates, as well as to preparing several policy communications assignments outside of class and completing their project during the final week of the course.

Where and When
This virtual course is scheduled for March 4 – April 6, 2025. 

  • On March 4 and 5, participants will attend all-day virtual orientation sessions from 8am – 3pm PT / 11am – 6pm ET. 
  • Participants will then attend 2-hour sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays from March 6–28 from 8:30am – 10:30am PT / 11:30am – 1:30pm ET. 
  • Between March 28 – April 6, participants should expect to spend about 20 hours asynchronously working on their final project. On April 1, 2, and 3, optional office hours sessions will be held from 8:30am – 10:30am PT / 11:30am – 1:30pm ET.

The time commitment is a minimum of 10-12 hours per week, including both “classroom” time and outside work or project time that you will schedule independently and with your peers.

Application Schedule
Admitted applicants will be notified in mid-February 2025.

Apply Now

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Primer FAQs

What is policy?
This is a question we will explore through this program. In general, policy is defined as a “course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or individual.” It is a set of rules that an organization or individual agrees to follow. Both governments and companies (and many other actors) set policies, and those policies have the potential to affect all of our lives. The goal of this program will be to expose participants to the value of policymaking, and to teach how to impact policy as an individual.

What will participants learn in this program?
This program will include skills for impacting policy (such as defining policy problems and mapping stakeholders), communication skills (such as writing policy memos), and policy stakeholder classes (such as on executive and legislative policymaking). 

Does this program teach participants how to lobby?
No, this program does not teach individuals how to lobby. We teach individuals on how to impact policy through non-lobbying advocacy.

Does this program teach how to run a political campaign?
No, this program does not teach individuals how to run political campaigns. 

Can I continue to work in my job as a Primer participant?
Participants are asked to commit two full-time (7-hour) days at the beginning of the program for orientation, followed by weekly commitments of three, 2-hour sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. We expect full attention and attendance during scheduled sessions and ask that participants make all necessary arrangements after acceptance to make themselves fully available for all scheduled sessions.

I am on a visa. Am I eligible to apply to the Policy Primer?
It depends. US Permanent Residents are definitely eligible for the Primer, as are those on visas that have no restrictions on where they can work. Individuals on H-1B and other visas tied to employers may be more complex. Please contact us to discuss your situation (with the caveat that we are unable to give you immigration advice). Please note that we are unable to sponsor visas for this program.

I am a student/recently graduated. Am I eligible to apply to this program?
You are able to apply to the Primer program so long as you are 21 and meet all the other criteria listed in the eligibility section.

I would like to join your program to learn more about policy, but I don’t have experience in science, technology, climate, or social impact. Can I still apply?
Unfortunately, we are not able to accept applications from candidates without experience in these areas (though note that we define this broadly, so you do not need a university degree in these topics to qualify). We suggest looking at degrees and certificates from universities in public policy as an alternative to our program.

I already have significant policy experience, such as having worked in public service or earning a degree in public policy. Am I eligible to apply to this program?
In the normal case, applicants who have significant previous policy experience will be too advanced for this program — this is an introductory program  to the policymaking process. However, we would still love to hear from you; we may have opportunities to engage you as a policy mentor or on future in-house projects. Please contact us.