Obligations

The AEF Program is intended to support the intellectual and professional development of K-12 STEM teachers who have the desire to share their education and classroom expertise with Federal agencies and U.S. Congressional offices.

Each participating Fellow must adhere to the following program obligations:

• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship upon accepting a Fellowship offer.
• Secure a leave of absence from teaching during the Fellowship year.
• Complete the eleven-month full-time appointment (mid-August through mid-July) in Washington, DC.
• Meet the Terms and Conditions spelled out in the offer letter of appointment provided by the AEF Program, including requirements for ethical conduct, and financial disclosure and conflict-of-interest.
• Participate in the official professional development meetings, conferences, field trips, and etc., organized for Fellows by the AEF Program.
• Have health care coverage during the Fellowship appointment. Fellows are eligible to participate in the ORISE health insurance plan if they do not have other health insurance coverage.
• Establish an individual Professional Development Plan for the year.
• Submit the requested written reports, presentations, and surveys related to the Fellowship experience before the published deadlines.
• Represent themselves as educators in a responsible and professional manner.
• Only use the AEF Program name or the Fellow's affiliation with the AEF Program in an authorized manner.
• Must, in managing their responsibilities throughout the Fellowship, give priority to the duties assigned to them by their host office. 

AEF Program Fellows must also comply with all legal and ethical requirements subject to their individual appointments. An example of ethics guidelines for DOE sponsored Fellows can be viewed here.