EBEN TISDALE PUBLIC POLICY FELLOWSHIP

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EBEN TISDALE FELLOWSHIP FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Thanks for your interest in the Eben Tisdale Fellowship.  Here is the information you will need to understand the purpose of the Fellowship, who is eligible and how to apply. The Selection Committee welcomes your interest and participation in our program, which we believe offers outstanding opportunities for students to learn about high-tech public policy issues with hands-on experience in Washington, D.C.

•      Who was Eben Tisdale?
•      When was the Tisdale Fellowship established?
•      Is the Tisdale Fellowship limited to specific universities?
•      What is the Eben Tisdale Fellowship?
•      Who is eligible for a Tisdale Fellowship?
•      What is the Dell Thurmond Woodard Fellowship?
•      Who is eligible for the Dell Thurmond Woodard Fellowship?
•      Can international students apply for the Fellowship?
•      What are the criteria for selection?
•      How is the Tisdale Fellowship administered?
•      What is the Fellowship stipend?
•      Am I eligible for academic credit?
•      What is the calendar for the 2013 Fellowship?
•      Does the Fellowship arrange for housing?
•      Application Checklist

Who was Eben Tisdale (1942-1998)?
As General Manager of Government Affairs for Hewlett-Packard Company since 1984, Eben Tisdale was one of the most dedicated and effective public policy advocates in the high-tech industry. Eben consistently brought honor, humor, humanity and humility, as well as a high sense of personal integrity, to every encounter. He did not believe in hierarchy; he believed in people and in their ability to be both civil and compassionate. Eben lived these qualities, reinforced them in others, and made a lasting positive impact on the public policy-making process in Washington.

When was the Tisdale Fellowship Established?
Friends, family and colleagues created the Eben Tisdale Fellowship, after his struggle with cancer ended in October 1998. Throughout his career, Eben made a special effort to bring bright young people to Washington. Through a long-term commitment as a mentor and friend, he helped many achieve outstanding success in government and in the private sector. This fellowship has been endowed to be a living monument to Eben’s legacy of nurturing young people’s interest in high-technology and public policy.

Is the Tisdale Fellowship limited to specific universities?
Tisdale Fellowships are open to undergraduate and graduate students from any college and university. The Fellowship is not affiliated with any particular educational institution. Decisions about eligibility, the granting of fellowships, and other operational matters are made exclusively by the Fellowship’s selection committee.

What is the Eben Tisdale Fellowship?
The first of its kind, the Eben Tisdale Fellowship brings eligible students to Washington, D.C. for internships that explore current public policy issues of critical importance to the high technology sector of the economy. The Fellowship has two main elements:

1) Internships: One principal feature of the Fellowship is an eight-week internship in the government relations office of a leading high technology company or association. In the recent past, fellows have interned at such companies as Applied Materials, Business Software Alliance, Computing Research Association, Dell Computers, Philips Electronics, and Technology CEO Council. While sponsoring companies will vary from year to year, the Advisory Board makes every effort to retain high quality internship opportunities. Fellows have an opportunity to observe firsthand the development and advocacy of public policy issues in Congress, the Administration and industry associations and to participate in projects of their own, focusing on current critical issues.

2) Issues Seminar:  The other main element of the fellowship is a weekly issues seminar organized with the assistance of the sponsoring companies and associations. Expert speakers lead discussions of current public policy issues in Washington, and the methods the high technology industry uses for effective advocacy. In the past, topics have included global electronic commerce, protection of privacy, export controls, digital intellectual property protection, biotechnology issues and educational technology policy. The seminars give Fellows an opportunity to reflect on the appropriate role industry policy advocacy can have on public policy making at the Federal level. Conducted over lunch, the seminars also provide a weekly venue for fellows to meet and compare notes on their experiences.

Who is eligible for a Tisdale Fellowship?
Undergraduate (juniors and seniors) and graduate students with an interest in public policy and the high-tech industry are welcome to apply. A background in computer science or other high technology fields is helpful, but not required. Additionally, international students are also eligible for the Fellowship.

What is the Dell Thurmond Woodard Fellowship?
The Dell Thurmond Woodard Fellowship was established in 2007 as an opportunity within the Tisdale Fellowship program. It was created in memory of the late Thurmond Woodard, Dell’s former Vice President of Global Diversity and Chief Ethics, Privacy and Compliance Officer. Any student may apply for this fellowship (one student will be selected). The Dell Thurmond Woodard Fellowship grant recipient will participate in the same program as those in the Tisdale Fellowship – an eight-week internship and weekly high-tech policy seminars.

Those interested in applying should check the appropriate box in the Tisdale application, and write an additional (300-500 word) essay on their “commitment to the ideals of ethics, diversity, inclusion, and collaboration in the public policy arena.” Each year the Dell Thurmond Woodard Fellowship recipient will be chosen by the Tisdale Fellowship selection committee.

For those who apply for this specific Fellowship but are not the selected recipient, they will be considered in the general pool of applicants for the Tisdale Fellowship.

Who is eligible for the Dell Thurmond Woodard Fellowship?
In addition to the eligibility requirements for the Tisdale Fellowship, students applying for the Dell Thurmond Woodard Fellowship should also have an interest/background in issues regarding diversity and ethics.

Can international students apply for the Fellowship?
Yes, of course.

What are the criteria for selection?
The selection committee will evaluate your application, official transcripts, evaluation forms, and an essay. The Board will then recommend the most outstanding applicants to the program. The Board will be considering your completed application materials, as well as looking for:

• Examples of a strong interest in a career in high-tech public policy;
• Civic mindedness and participation in community activities or organizations;
• Past academic achievements;
• Strong recommendations from faculty, supervisors, colleagues, or other professionals who can attest to your intellectual and personal qualifications for this Fellowship

How is the Tisdale Fellowship administered?
An Advisory Board of family, friends, and professionals who worked with Eben, many of whom contributed to the fellowship's endowment, oversee the fellowship, its continued funding, the selection process, and its activities. The Advisory Board, which generally meets in Washington, D.C., is not affiliated with any particular educational institution.

What is the Fellowship stipend?
The Fellowship fund is administered by The Fund for American Studies in Washington, and is not affiliated with any particular educational institution. The Fellowship fund, with the assistance of companies and associations sponsoring internships, offers a combined stipend of $5000 to each participating Tisdale Fellow, to cover living expenses in Washington, D.C. The fellowship does not charge any fees to Tisdale Fellows.

Am I eligible for academic credit?
Contact your university coordinator to determine whether you are eligible for credit for your fellowship participation. The Fellowship will be happy to consider requests to work with participating universities to establish appropriate credit for the internship and seminar.

What is the calendar for the 2013 Fellowship?
June 17 – August 9, 2013

Does the Fellowship arrange for housing?
The Fellowship is not responsible for arranging housing for the summer. The Fund for American Studies has limited housing space available with other summer interns. This comes in the form of a fully furnished apartment (utilities included) and within walking distance to a metro station and bus line. This housing would cost $2200 for the two months of the fellowship. The average monthly cost of a furnished apartment in DC is $2500. An unfurnished apartment in DC averages $1100.

Application Checklist
Included in the application packet:

• Online application survey
• Resume
• Two Evaluation/Recommendation forms
• Essay form

For more information, please visit our application page.