About the ISTPF
The ISTPF is a nonpartisan program that provides outstanding scientists, social scientists and engineers the opportunity to learn firsthand about policymaking while using their knowledge and skills to address pressing challenges facing Idaho. Fellows support decision makers in Idaho, serving in yearlong assignments in executive branch agencies or the Legislative Services Office. This is a one-year fellowship, with renewal for an additional year in the executive branch, contingent upon funding.
The ISTPF is similar to a program started 50 years ago by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), which places scientists and engineers in fellowships to support Congress, executive branch agencies and the judiciary. Idaho is one of 22 states developing a science policy fellowship program at the state government level.
Governance
The ISTPF is a collaborative effort among the University of Idaho, Boise State University and Idaho State University. The three universities provide oversight and administration of the ISTPF. The operation of the ISTPF is informed by the ISTPF advisory board.
The advisory board meets twice yearly to provide ongoing guidance on the ISTPF. The advisory board is chaired by Katherine Himes, Ph.D., Director of the McClure Center for Public Policy Research at the University of Idaho.
Advisory Board Members
Current Advisory Board Members
- Stephanie Bailey-White, State Librarian, Idaho Commission for Libraries
- Jess Byrne, Director, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
- Lisa Hettinger, Deputy Director, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
- Lloyd Knight, Deputy Director, Idaho State Department of Agriculture
- Terri Kondeff, Director, Legislative Services Office
- Jay Larsen, President and CEO, Idaho Technology Council
- Dustin Miller, Director, Idaho Department of Lands
- Dee Mooney, Executive Director, Micron Foundation
- Christine Neuhoff, Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, St. Luke’s Health System
- Gina Schatteman, Ph.D., Director, STEM for Idaho Consulting
- Andrew Scoggin, Board Chair, Idaho Business for Education
- Caty Solace, Executive Director, Idaho STEM Action Center
- Amber Worthington, Deputy Director, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Ex Officio Advisory Board Members
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Speaker of the House
- Senate President Pro Tempore
- House Minority Leader
- Senate Minority Leader
- Sarah E. Robey, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History, Idaho State University
- Jared Talley, Ph.D., Environmental Studies Faculty, Boise State University and ISTP Alumni Fellow
Sponsors
- California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) in partnership with the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Simons Foundation
- Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES)
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
- Idaho National Laboratory on behalf of Battelle Energy Alliance
- Idaho STEM Action Center
- Micron Foundation
- POWER Engineers
- Boise State University
- Idaho State University
- University of Idaho
- Individual contributions
- Idaho Science and Technology Policy Fellowship Welcomes its Fourth Cohort (2023)
- Idaho Science and Technology Policy Fellowship Places Scientists in State Agencies (2022)
- Idaho Science and Technology Policy Fellowship Program Expands (2022)
- Idaho Universities Join Forces to Launch Policy Fellowship Program (2019)