This guide explains how and why the US government funds R&D, outlines key institutions and processes, and discusses considerations and opportunities for working in R&D policy.

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Outline:

(00:10) Overview

(01:40) Why does the government invest in R&D?

(04:42) Federal R&D funding basics

(08:38) Funding models and mechanisms

(12:19) Federal R&D funding and emerging technology

(24:48) Why (not) work on federal R&D funding?

(24:53) The case for impact

(28:15) The case for professional growth

(30:05) Some tradeoffs

(33:23) The funding process: Who's involved?

(35:06) Budget and policy direction setting

(45:14) Grant-making and program execution

(47:07) Conducting the actual R&D

(49:45) Coordination

(52:23) Oversight

(54:19) Working on R&D funding: types of roles and career opportunities

(54:57) Preparing for R&D funding roles

(58:50) Appendices: Day-in-the-life & a brief history of federal R&D funding

(01:08:25) Further reading

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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.

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State oversees US foreign policy, negotiating treaties, managing diplomatic missions, and representing the US in international bodies.

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Outline:

(00:21) Overview

(02:11) Background on State

(04:09) Organizational structure

(06:50) Workforce

(09:10) Department of State and AI policy

(10:20) Major recent AI-related developments at State

(13:36) State offices working on AI-related policy

(13:56) Department of State and biosecurity policy

(17:09) Major recent biosecurity-related developments at State

(21:17) State offices working on biosecurity-related policy

(21:36) Working at State

(24:03) Further reading

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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.

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ARPAs are specialized R&D funding entities designed to accelerate technological breakthroughs across national defense, intelligence, energy, and health.

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Outline:

(00:11) Overview

(02:40) Organization

(04:48) The ARPA model

(10:45) Personal fit: Why (not) work at an ARPA

(11:01) Advantages

(12:45) Disadvantages

(15:20) The ARPAs and emerging technology R&D

(15:56) Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA)

(19:08) Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA)

(21:06) Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)

(22:21) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)

(23:50) Types of roles

(28:50) How to get an ARPA job

(29:30) Early- and mid-career opportunities

(30:03) PM roles

(34:56) Researching ARPA programs relevant to emerging technology

(36:56) Further reading

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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.

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We generally advise against pursuing a PhD for policy work. This guide explains why, gives exceptions to this advice, and offers strategies for optimizing a PhD program for policy work.

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Outline:

(01:21) Why we typically advise against PhDs

(02:53) The high opportunity cost of PhD programs

(05:11) PhDs are optimized for academic careers, not policy careers

(06:57) When a PhD makes sense for policy work

(07:16) You're targeting institutions that prize PhDs

(09:56) You want to keep the option of an academic career open

(11:04) You want to specialize deeply in a technically complex topic (and alternatives to PhDs are insufficient)

(12:25) You aim for specific high benefit-to-cost PhD programs

(13:53) PhD programs optimized for policy careers

(14:11) Key criteria for policy-focused PhD programs

(16:30) Policy-oriented PhD programs to consider

(21:10) Optimizing your PhD for policy impact

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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.

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HHS plays a crucial role in healthcare, public health, medical research, and social services. It's responsible for preparing for and responding to biological threats, including via CDC, ASPR, NIH, and FDA.

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Outline:

(00:25) Overview

(02:04) Background on HHS

(03:37) HHS and biosecurity policy

(05:09) 2022. National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan

(05:47) Major recent biosecurity-related developments at HHS

(12:00) Organizational structure

(13:28) Office of the Secretary (OS)

(14:54) Operating divisions

(15:32) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

(17:41) National Institutes of Health (NIH)

(19:45) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

(21:00) Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR)

(22:34) Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)

(24:38) Working at HHS

(26:39) Further reading

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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.

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DOE oversees energy policy, scientific research, and the nuclear arsenal, being the largest US government funder of physical science research. It significantly contributes to science and technology development and policy, including AI and biosecurity, particularly via its national labs.

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Outline:

(00:10) Overview

(01:50) Background on DOE

(03:55) Organizational structure

(06:14) DOE and AI policy

(07:47) Advances in the national labs

(09:06) Major recent AI-related developments at DOE

(14:10) DOE offices working on AI policy and research

(14:30) DOE and biosecurity policy and research

(17:09) 2022. National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan

(17:44) Major recent biosecurity-related developments at DOE

(20:59) DOE offices working on biosecurity policy and research

(21:20) Working at DOE

(23:25) Further reading

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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.

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We generally advise against pursuing a PhD for policy work. This guide explains why, gives exceptions to this advice, and offers strategies for optimizing a PhD program for policy work.

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Outline:

(01:21) Why we typically advise against PhDs

(02:54) The high opportunity cost of PhD programs

(05:12) PhDs are optimized for academic careers, not policy careers

(06:58) When a PhD makes sense for policy work

(07:17) You're targeting institutions that prize PhDs

(09:57) You want to keep the option of an academic career open

(11:05) You want to specialize deeply in a technically complex topic (and alternatives to PhDs are insufficient)

(12:27) You aim for specific high benefit-to-cost PhD programs

(13:55) PhD programs optimized for policy careers

(14:13) Key criteria for policy-focused PhD programs

(16:34) Policy-oriented PhD programs to consider

(21:14) Optimizing your PhD for policy impact

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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.

The original text contained 15 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.

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Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

We generally advise against pursuing a PhD for policy work. This guide explains why, gives exceptions to this advice, and offers strategies for optimizing a PhD program for policy work.

---

Outline:

(01:22) Why we typically advise against PhDs

(02:54) The high opportunity cost of PhD programs

(05:14) PhDs are optimized for academic careers, not policy careers

(06:59) When a PhD makes sense for policy work

(07:18) You're targeting institutions that prize PhDs

(09:57) You want to keep the option of an academic career open

(11:06) You want to specialize deeply in a technically complex topic (and alternatives to PhDs are insufficient)

(12:27) You aim for specific high benefit-to-cost PhD programs

(13:55) PhD programs optimized for policy careers

(14:13) Key criteria for policy-focused PhD programs

(16:41) Policy-oriented PhD programs to consider

(21:21) Optimizing your PhD for policy impact

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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.

The original text contained 15 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.

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Passing a background check and receiving clearance is among the biggest barriers to federal employment. This can make holding an active clearance (or being eligible for one) one of the most valuable assets for advancing your federal career.

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Outline:

(01:12) Levels of background checks and security clearances

(04:24) What's the process for getting a security clearance?

(07:54) What roles do you need a security clearance for?

(08:34) What can disqualify you (and how to mitigate it)

(23:34) Security clearance tips

(26:10) FAQ

(26:27) Further resources

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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.

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NNSA maintains and secures the US nuclear weapons stockpile, works to prevent nuclear proliferation and terrorism, powers the US Navy through nuclear propulsion, and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies domestically and abroad.

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Outline:

(00:10) Overview

(01:22) Background on NNSA

(02:40) Organizational structure

(04:28) NNSA and AI policy

(06:08) Recent AI developments at NNSA

(08:56) NNSA components working on AI policy

(09:15) Working at NNSA

(09:18) Full-time roles

(10:45) Internships and fellowships

(12:08) Further reading

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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.

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