Programs
Horizon helps the US government navigate our era of rapid technological change by supporting the next generation of emerging technology policy leaders. Our programs support people at all stages of their careers, from undergraduates interested in exploring policy careers to mid-career professionals looking to pivot into government.
Emerging technologies are profoundly affecting society, but policymakers frequently complain that they do not have access to the expertise they need to harness the benefits of new technological capabilities and guard against the risks they pose. At the same time, many experts in fields like artificial intelligence and biotechnology feel called to public service but lack the training, policy understanding, and networks required to pursue careers in policy.
Horizon’s programs tackle these frictions in the talent market to prevent the US government from falling behind in its ability to proactively and productively govern the next generation of emerging technologies.
Public service career support
Our flagship career resource, emergingtechpolicy.org, aims to address the talent gap in government by making high-quality information about policy careers more accessible. The website is based on hundreds of hours of research and dozens of interviews with policy professionals. It provides expert advice and resources for students and professionals interested in pursuing public service careers, including online databases of more than
100 fellowships, master’s programs, and policy jobs.
We break down policy jargon, offer networking tips, and compile resources that can help with job searches and applications. Alongside our organizational partners, we also provide coaching services to help individuals think through career choices, research opportunities, get feedback on resumes, and prepare for interviews.
Fellowship
Government and civil society’s need for staff with emerging technology expertise has increased significantly in recent years. And while many experts are eager to work in public service, they often aren’t aware of the relevant opportunities and need training and support that individual policy employers can’t provide. As a result, policymakers can’t hire for the emerging technology expertise they urgently need, and experts do not take the plunge into public service.
Our fellowship program aims to solve this gap by recruiting and placing professionals with experience in emerging technology policy in think tanks, congressional offices, and federal agencies to help tackle policy challenges. Our fellows receive policy-focused training, mentorship, and support in matching with a host organization for a full-time, fully-funded fellowship placement in the Washington, DC area. A large majority of the fellows stay on in public service after their fellowship term.
Workshops & events
Our events and workshops allow attendees to learn about the latest developments in emerging technology policy, build their network, and receive actionable tips on how to pivot their career toward their areas of interest. They often involve interactive question-and-answer sessions to help aspiring policy professionals resolve their key uncertainties about working in public service.
We host events in partnership with other organizations that share our mission of building pipelines into public service, helping to foster a collaborative ecosystem of people and organizations interested in building the field.
We are always on the lookout for new opportunities to pursue our mission of building pipelines into public service for emerging technology experts, including in partnership with other civil society organizations. Work in this direction has included supporting the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship in launching their first AI-focused fellowship program and being an active member of the Tech to Gov public interest technology coalition, organizing resources and events to encourage technologists to enter government. We also work alongside TechCongress, the Aspen Tech Policy Hub, and the National Security Career and Leadership Institute to advise and train technologists interested in public service work.