California Council On Science And Technology (CCST)

CCST is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization created via the California State Legislature in 1988 to provide objective advice from California's best scientists and research institutions on policy issues involving science. We are modeled after the National Academies — the official scholarly body serving the United States of America — to provide the State of California with a parallel network of institutional and individual advisors. CCST convenes a Statewide network of experts across disciplines and institutions. Guided by our CCST Council, we respond to the Governor, the Legislature, and other entities on public policy issues related to science and technology — developing commissioned reports and securing peer-reviewed, evidence-based analyses to help address these questions. And as part of our mission to ensure California's continued policy leadership, we also offer the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship (http://ccst.us/science-fellows-program) — training PhD-level experts as staffers for the State Legislature. Our CCST Science Fellows experience a year of public service and leadership training and the chance to explore a career in California’s policy arena. At the same time, the State Legislature benefits from access to highly skilled, science-savvy staff to advise them on proposed legislation. California's policies are stronger with science. Whether you’re a prospective Fellowship applicant, an interested funder, a staff member, legislator, or an advocate — if our mission and programs have sparked new ideas and new possibilities in your own vision and mission, we would love to hear from you!