Award Abstract # 2127489
American Meteorological Society Summer Policy Colloquium 2021-2023; Washington, DC

NSF Org: AGS
Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences
Recipient: AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC.
Initial Amendment Date: July 12, 2021
Latest Amendment Date: August 4, 2023
Award Number: 2127489
Award Instrument: Continuing Grant
Program Manager: Eric DeWeaver
edeweave@nsf.gov
 (703)292-8527
AGS
 Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences
GEO
 Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date: July 15, 2021
End Date: June 30, 2024 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $356,100.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $356,100.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2021 = $79,500.00
FY 2022 = $203,090.00

FY 2023 = $73,510.00
History of Investigator:
  • Paul Higgins (Principal Investigator)
    phiggins@ametsoc.org
  • William Hooke (Former Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: American Meteorological Society
45 BEACON ST
BOSTON
MA  US  02108-3631
(617)227-2425
Sponsor Congressional District: 08
Primary Place of Performance: American Meteorological Society
1200 New York Ave NW Ste 500
Washington
DC  US  20005-3928
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
00
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): WWMNNVBUMJX9
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): Atmospheric Sci Cluster Prgrm
Primary Program Source: 01002122DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
01002223DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT

01002324DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s): 4444, 5740, 7556, 7790
Program Element Code(s): 779000
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.050

ABSTRACT

This award supports participation of students and early-career scientists in the Summer Policy Colloquium of the American Meteorological Society. The Summer Policy Colloquium addresses the need for interaction between policy makers and researchers who have domain expertise in areas relevant to policy decisions. It provides an opportunity for researchers interested in decision support to interact with policy makers and learn about policy making. Each year the Colloquium brings 20 to 40 participants to Washington DC for two weeks of intensive interactions with scientist-leaders from the legislative and executive branches, executives from NGOs, policy analysts, science journalists, and other stakeholders working in the policy arena. In addition to in-person dialog and interaction Colloquium participants are given pre-assigned reading and work through group exercises and case studies to learn about the policy making process. Funds provided through this award support the participation of 15 graduate students and early-career scientists in the Colloquium. NSF-funded participants are selected through a competitive process, based on the applicant's potential and accomplishments and taking into account diversity, equity and inclusion.

The primary broader impact of the award is the development of a cohort of researchers in discplines related to weather and climate who can provide decision support for policy decisions in these areas. Such decision support is increasingly valuable as stakeholders and decision makers at all levels of government face a growing variety of challenges related to the management of weather and climate risk. Many researchers are interested in providing decision support, but the education and experience of scientists does not adequately prepare them to perform this role.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT

Disclaimer

This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.

This is a project to help ensure the American people benefit fully from innovation, research, and scientific understanding. 


Decisions have the greatest chance to benefit people when they take full advantage of the best available knowledge and understanding. The AMS Colloquium is a leadership development program that supplements the education and technical training that scientists receive in school. The training equips scientists and engineers for effective engagement with the broader society by providing an intensive and practical introduction to the United States federal policy process. 


Each year, roughly 40 scientists and practitioners learn to contribute more effectively to the opportunities and challenges facing the nation and the American people. The Colloquium training builds connections and collaborations among scientists and policy officials, and expands the pipeline of scientific understanding to decision-making. This accelerates the advancement of science and the application of scientific knowledge and understanding on behalf of the broader society that science serves. 


Participants are given pre-assigned reading on the history, philosophy, and practice of the policy process and science policy. They visit Capitol Hill. They meet with policy officials from Congress, the White House, the federal agencies. They learn from media experts, policy analysts, and corporate executives. Leading officials and decision-makers describe their roles and unique personal experiences with the policy process and insights for how scientists can contribute to it. Participants also engage in experiential activities (group exercises and case studies) that place scientists in the situations that policy-makers face.


Through this combination of activities, Colloquium participants develop a deep understanding of the U.S. system of government; the role of science in society; similarities and differences between scientific research and the policy process; and the interplay of politics, policy, and procedure in societal decision-making.


Alumni of this program have gone on to serve in crucial roles for the nation including at the highest levels of leadership in the National Weather Service and the Office of Science and Technology Policy to name a few.


Last Modified: 07/22/2024
Modified by: Paul Higgins

Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.

Print this page

Back to Top of page