http://www.google.com/policyfellowship/ As lawmakers around the world become more engaged on Internet policy, ensuring a robust and intelligent public debate around these issues becomes increasingly important. That’s why we’re launching the Google Policy Fellowship Program—to support students and organizations working on policy issues fundamental to the future of the Internet and its users. Think of it as the public policy version of Google's Summer of Code. The Google Policy Fellowship program offers undergraduate, graduate, and law students interested in Internet and technology policy the opportunity to spend the summer contributing to the public dialogue on these issues, and exploring future academic and professional interests. Program Overview Fellows will have the opportunity to work at public interest organizations at the forefront of debates on broadband and access policy, content regulation, copyright and trademark reform, consumer privacy, open government, and more. Participating organizations are based in either Washington, DC or San Francisco, CA, and include: American Library Association, Cato Institute, Center for Democracy and Technology, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Internet Education Foundation, Media Access Project, New America Foundation, and Public Knowledge. More information about the host organizations and the areas of focus for the fellows are outlined here. Fellows will be assigned a lead mentor at their host organizations, but will have the opportunity to work with several senior staff members over the course of the summer. Fellows will be expected to make substantive contributions to the work of their organization, including conducting policy research and analysis; drafting reports and analyses; attending government and industry meetings and conferences; and participating in other advocacy activities. Who should apply? We’re looking for students who are passionate about technology, and want to spend the summer diving headfirst into Internet policy. Students from all majors and degree programs who posses the following qualities are encouraged to apply: • Demonstrated or stated commitment to Internet and technology policy • Excellent academic record, professional/extracurricular/volunteer activities, subject matter expertise • First-rate analytical, communications, research, and writing skills • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and efficiently, and to work smartly and resourcefully in a fast-paced environment • General “googliness” (we’re kidding!) Fellows will receive a stipend of $7,000 for 10 weeks during the summer of 2008 (June-August). Exact dates of the fellowship will be worked out by the fellow and host organization. Applications are due by January 1, 2008. Students who are accepted into the program will be notified by March 1, 2008. To learn about our application process, click here. If you're an organization interested in hosting Fellows for the summer of 2008, please contact us. Jeremy Hunsinger Information Ethics Fellow, Center for Information Policy Research, School of Information Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (www.cipr.uwm.edu ) Words are things; and a small drop of ink, falling like dew upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think. --Byron