ASME seeks Federal Fellows at the White House and the Department of Homeland Security

ASME is currently seeking applications from established scientists, or engineers who have recently completed an advanced degree, for two fellowships currently available in Washington, D.C.

One fellowship will support the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in risk and decision analysis work. The second fellowship will support and provide technical expertise on the National Nanotechnology Initiative for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Because of the limited number of fellowships available each year, the process is extremely competitive. Applicants are ranked according to the following criteria: years of professional experience, engineering degrees earned, and amount of public policy experience. A $50,000 stipend is available to each Fellow.

If you are interested in gaining a firsthand view of how the federal government functions, while serving the nation, consider applying for an ASME Federal Government Fellowship.

Additional information, including an online application, is available at www.asme.org/gric/Fellows/fellowshome.html, or by contacting Kathryn Holmes, director, ASME Government Relations, at holmesk@asme.org.

 

ASME to assist SWE in developing a public policy program

ASME recently signed an agreement to assist the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) in advancing its public policy initiatives and in strengthening its relationships with agencies and policymakers in Washington, D.C.

Under the terms of the agreement between the two engineering organizations, ASME will provide direct assistance to support SWE in the development and implementation of a public policy program in areas such as K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education. ASME will also provide a Washington representative for SWE, beginning Sept. 1.

According to the agreement, ASME will provide public policy updates and reports to SWE, as well as support the development of a congressional briefing, arrange meetings between SWE members and government leaders on Capitol Hill, and draft correspondence and advisories, among other activities.

ASME has maintained an active public affairs and government relations program for more than 20 years and was successful in spearheading a K-12 STEM coalition comprised of many diverse organizations advocating for federal funding for pre-college STEM education.

For more information, go to: www.asme.org/pi/pr/2004/2005/082405b.html.

For additional information, please contact Melissa Murray, ASME Government Relations Representative, at murraym@asme.org.

 

NIST workshop to focus on new EU environmental regulations

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will sponsor a two-day workshop to assist U.S. manufacturers comply with new European Union (EU) environmental regulations to restrict the use of hazardous substances in electronics and in a wide variety of consumer products.

EU Directive RoHS (Restriction of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment) will become effective July 2006. The directive will restrict lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, and polybrominated diphenyl ether-flame-retardants.

"The Restricted Substances in Materials: Testing and Reporting Procedures" workshop will be held next month, Oct. 5–7, at the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, Md.

Workshop participants will assess the measurement and standards needs of U.S. manufacturers and suppliers in response to the EU restrictions and then produce a plan to prevent the new restrictions from becoming a barrier in the global marketplace. Registration and program information may be viewed at www.nist.gov/public_affairs/confpage/051005.htm.

Kathryn Holmes is responsible for public policy-related issues for ASME. She can be reached at holmesk@asme.org.

— Kathryn Holmes
Director, ASME Government Relations

 

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