Google Policy Fellowship

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About the Google Policy Fellowship program
Important Dates
Eligibility
Payments, Forms, and Other Administrative Stuff
Host Organizations
More Questions

About the Google Policy Fellowship program

What is the Google Policy Fellowship program?
The Google Policy Fellowship program offers students interested in Internet and technology policy the opportunity to spend the summer working on these issues at public interest organizations in either Washington, DC or San Francisco, CA. Students will work for 10 weeks over the summer of 2008.

How many students does Google expect to accept into the fellowship program?
We anticipate that we'll accept between 10-15 students.

Is the Google Policy Fellowship program a recruiting program?
We hope the Fellowship program enables students to explore potential careers in Internet policy, law, and technology. We also hope that the experience will make Fellows more attractive to potential employers. Google may use the results of the program to help identify potential recruits, but this is not the intended purpose of the Fellowship program.

What organizations are participating in Google Policy Fellowship program 2008?

Important Dates

What is the program timeline?

January 11, 2008: Student application deadline; applications must be received by 5:00 PM Pacific time.
Interim Period: Google and Host organizations review student applications.
March 1, 2008: Acceptance decisions finalized. Students are notified of the status of their applications.
Interim Period: Students learn more about their project and prepare for their fellowship.
June 2008: Students begin fellowship with host organization (start date to be determined by student and host organization organization); Google issues initial student stipends.
July 18th, 2008: Mid-term evaluation deadline; Google begins issuing mid-term stipends.
August 22nd, 2008: Final evaluation deadline; Google begins issuing final stipends.

Eligibility

Are there any age restrictions on participating?
Yes. You must be 18 years of age or older by January 1, 2008 to be eligible to participate in Google Policy Fellowship program in 2008.

Are there citizenship requirements for the Fellowship?
For the time being, we are only accepting students eligible to work in the United States (e.g. U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and individuals with a current student visa).

Who is eligible to participate as a student in Google Policy Fellowship program?
In order to participate in the program, you must be a student. Google defines a student as an individual enrolled in or accepted into an accredited institution including (but not necessarily limited to) colleges, universities, masters programs, PhD programs and undergraduate programs. Eligibility is based on enrollment in an accredited university by January 1, 2008.

You may be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student. You must also be eligible to work in the United States (e.g. U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and individuals with a current student visa).

Who is not eligible to participate as a student in Google Policy Fellowship program?
Google employees, interns, contractors, or family members are ineligible to participate. For purposes of the Google Policy Fellowship Program, Google will define "family member" to include a husband, wife, domestic partner, son, daughter, mother, father, sister, or brother. Host organizations taking part in the Google Policy Fellowship program and Google Inc. may add additional stipulations regarding which students may participate in the program under their auspices.

I have been accepted into an accredited post-secondary school program, but have not yet begun attending. Can I still take part in the program?
As long as you are enrolled in a college or university program as of January 1st, 2008, you are eligible to participate in the program.

I graduate in the middle of the program. Can I still participate?
As long as you are enrolled in a college or university program as of January 1st, 2008, you are eligible to participate in the program.

How much time is required to participate as a student in Google Policy Fellowship program?
The Student Fellow will be expected to work on a full-time basis, approximately 40 hours/week, during the Fellowship term. The duration of the fellowship is 10 weeks.

Payments, Forms, and Other Administrative Stuff

How do payments work?
Google will provide a stipend of $7,000 USD to each Fellow for the summer.

What documentation is required from students?
We will need the following documentation from students:

I would like to use the work I did for my Google Policy Fellowship to obtain course credit from my university. Is this acceptable?
Absolutely. If you need documentation from Google to provide to your school for course credit, you can contact Google. We will not provide documentation until we have received a final evaluation from your mentoring organization.

Host Organizations

What is Google's relationship with the host organizations?
Google provides the funding and administrative support for the program. Google and the host organizations are not partners or affiliates. The host organizations do not represent the views or opinions of Google and cannot bind Google legally.

More Questions

What if I have a question not answered in this FAQ?
You can reach Google Policy Fellowship program administrators at: policyfellowship@google.com.