Application Deadline: VASEM Undergraduate Policy Program

VASEM-UPP (Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Undergraduate Policy Program) is a no-cost, experiential program that introduces undergraduates to the world of public policy through a science and technology lens. The program helps students learn core policymaking concepts, explore how science and policy intersect, and examine real-world case studies relevant to Virginia, such as energy demands, AI adoption, coastal resilience, and health disparities. Participants also engage directly with state leaders and gain hands-on experience by shadowing graduate policy fellows in government and nonprofit settings.

The program runs July 13 through July 16, 2026. The program begins with a bootcamp on science policy in the state, followed by a visit to the General Assembly to explore current STEM-H policy issues. You will shadow COVES Fellows in legislative and executive offices, attend a dinner with a member of Virginia’s General Assembly, and conclude the program by researching current science policy challenges in Virginia and preparing policy memos.

Apply now