SEED Ambassadors

The Scientists Engaging and Educating Decision-makers (SEED) Ambassador leadership program is a year-long, immersive advocacy training program with the goal of developing trusted relationships between Society members and Members of Congress. Each year the SEED Ambassador program will develop a class of Society Ambassadors that can influence decision-makers through their established connections.

What is the SEED Ambassador Program?

Your year as a SEED Ambassador is divided into two parts: training and action. SEED Ambassadors will participate in exclusive monthly webinars and interactive teleconferences with the Science Policy staff and guest speakers where new advocacy skills are developed. Each month, the training will be linked to an action item which will help deepen your relationship with Congressional offices over the first eight months of the program. These activities are specifically designed to strengthen your advocacy “muscles” and prepare you for the action stage. The small class size will allow for individualized attention to every Ambassador and tailored training to their locations and interests.

During the final months of the program, SEED Ambassadors will work with the Policy staff to develop and carry out two advocacy-related events within your university, district, or state. Suggested activities include inviting your Member to do a lab/field tour, attending a town hall meeting, organizing a department-wide email campaign, or writing an op-ed in your local paper. These are just a few ideas and Ambassadors are encouraged to develop their own plans based on what they have learned and what they are passionate about.

Monthly advocacy topics include:

What is advocacy and why is it important for constituents to engage with Members of Congress?
Congress 101: who, what, when, and why
Constructing your advocacy message
What to do before, during, and after meetings with Congressional offices
The power of the purse: budget overview
Social media and policy makers
Engaging with the media
Be a “grasstop”: how to get your colleagues involved in advocacy

2022-2023 Timeline

September 1 – Award application opens
October 5 – Award application closes
Early November – Ambassadors selected and informed
December to July – Monthly training sessions
August to September – Advocacy activity implementation

How to Apply

The application period for the 2022 class of SEED Ambassadors is open. You can access the award application at https://www.crops.org/awards/view/217. Contact sciencepolicy@sciencesocieties.org or call 608-268-4965 with questions.