Government Science Policy
Science and technology
policy at the Department of State has declined over the last 10-15 years. In 1999, a report was completed by the
National Research Council, stating that 13 of the 16 objectives of US foreign
policy encompass science, technology or health considerations. The recommendations of this Report led to
the creation of the S&T Adviser to the Secretary (STAS) and to a strong new
policy position on S&T for the Department.
In the broadest terms our mandate is to raise the overall awareness of
the Department to the importance of S&T in foreign policy and to assure
that S&T considerations are fully integrated into the foreign policy
process. In support of this objective,
STAS has been instrumental in the creation of the Science Embassy Fellows
Program, the AIP Fellowship Program and the IRI Fellowship Program along with a
potential new pilot for the Senior Science Fellows Program. These programs,
along with the many other efforts of STAS, strengthen the ability of scientists
to communicate the importance and relevance of S&T to policy makers.