Resources

Members of the MIT community—our students, staff, and faculty—are uniquely positioned to use their voice and expertise to make sure that the contributions fundamental science makes to society are understood and valued, that policy decisions are grounded in scientific fact, and that our government funds scientific research. Below are just a few resources to help our MIT community members and those interested individuals outside of our community advocate for science. Science Advocacy at MIT MIT Climate Project In her inaugural address in May 2023, President Sally Kornbluth called on the MIT community to mount a “bold, tenacious response” to the global threat posed by climate change, which she described as “the greatest scientific and societal challenge of this or any age.” Drawing on the insights and perspectives of many at MIT and beyond, the Climate Project responds to President Kornbluth’s call. The goal is for MIT to become, within the next decade, one of the world’s most prolific and collaborative sources of technological, behavioral, and policy solutions for the global climate challenge. Professor Evelyn Wang ’00, leads the project as MIT’s vice president for energy and climate. MIT Washington Office The MIT Washington Office connects our campus community with the policymakers in our nation’s capital. The Washington Office helps develop and share MIT’s institutional perspectives in such areas as science, education, and research security, and help faculty and students navigate the D.C. policy world. The MIT Washington Office helps MIT faculty and students bring their thinking to bear on policy challenges. The office also gives policymakers a window into the latest MIT research to help them develop informed positions that will strengthen our country and the world. MIT Science Policy Initiative The MIT Science Policy Initiative is a student-run program that works closely with MIT faculty, the MIT Washington DC office, and other advocates to educate students on the challenges facing the science community at the local and national levels. The initiative organizes monthly discussion meetings around presentations and current events, four-day Science Boot Camps during IAP for grad students and postdocs, Executive and Congressional visit days, where students meet with agencies and Congressional representatives, and policy and advocacy workshops and panels at the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science conference. National Science Advocacy Groups American Association for the Advancement of Science The American Association for the Advancement of Science is the world’s largest multidisciplinary science society, with science advocacy and communication making up a significant part of its mission. Among its many resources: the “Take Action” toolkit, public engagement resources, and information resources for science policy advocacy. American Chemical Society The American Chemical Society’s Act4Chemistry is a legislative network that offers programs and tools for advocating for chemistry at state and federal levels. ACS also offers public policy fellowships and guidance for arranging visits to lawmakers. American Physical Society The American Physical Society provides action alerts for physics-related issues, guidance for writing to Congress and organizing meetings with representatives. American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Policy Blotter provides updates on the latest developments in national policy and legislation related to molecular life sciences and opportunities to participate in ASBMB-run advocacy campaigns. Advocacy resources are also available for ASBMB members. Science Coalition The Science Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focused on supporting federal funding for science. It provides a toolkit with guidance on talking about why federal funding is important and guidance for contacting representatives, hosting local showcases of federally funded research, and engaging with the public and the media. Union for Concerned Scientists Founded in 1969 by MIT students, the Union for Concerned Scientists works advance to advance science-based solutions for a safer and healthier planet. The website offers specific guidance for engagement with media and policymakers, as well as specific calls to action.  

We believe that making a better MIT for every member of the community—students, staff, and faculty—is a prerequisite to making a better world. Success in our endeavors requires a safe and supportive environment that helps us face difficulties with persistence and resilience. We are committed to providing resources for the physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being of our community members, and believe that we have a shared responsibility to treat one another with respect and integrity. Community Resources What is MIT’s policy on discrimination and harassment? Whom do I contact in my department if I experience or observe harassment or abuse? Where can I find student resources for conflict resolution? Where can I find support for mental and physical health? For students For staff, postdocs and faculty MIT Benefits Community Wellness MyLife Services Where can I find MIT resources for Academic Affairs & Community Engagement?  

The MIT School of Science is committed to the safety and well-being of all the members of the community. The School of Science has organized the Incident Response Team to coordinate our response to emergencies and serious incidents during and after the event. After calling emergency services, please contact your department, lab or center’s team member to alert them to the situation. Learn about emergency and safety services.

The School of Science is pleased to offer the Science Quality of Life (SQoL) program designed to build community within the school, promote inclusiveness for students, staff, and faculty, and support the well-being of our community members. The program’s goals are to: Build community and foster a sense of inclusion. Provide faculty, staff and students opportunities to interact and socialize outside of the current research-driven activities and events. Integrate academic and social aspects of life within the school. Improve communications and outreach. Build collaborations and connections with other community groups. Projects need not be ambitious in scope, so long as they encourage positive connections within the community. Proposals can be submitted under three broad categories – it is possible for a proposal to be applicable to more than one category. These are: Community building Inclusion and belonging Mentoring Examples of activities could include: workshops, seminars, wellness programs, book clubs, team building activities, and others. Due to the overwhelming response we received for previous cycles, and in the spirit of maximizing inclusion and approving as many applications as possible, the following should be noted: The funding cap for this cycle will remain at $2,000 – as opposed to $3,000 in previous years; Proposals that have matching funds from departmental and/or other sources will be viewed favorably by the selection committee; In the event that we need to prioritize between multiple similar eligible proposals, preference will be given to proposals that have not received QOL funding in the past. Please contact the Dean’s Office at sos-dean-sqol@mit.edu for additional information. Proposal process and guidelines Proposals are reviewed and funded twice per a year with notifications made within 30 days of the submission deadlines noted below: The submission deadline for this cycle is January 17, 2025. Apply at: https://mitfunding.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1955870 Eligibility: Applicant’s and co-applicant’s primary appointment must be in the School of Science and have the means (outside of funding needs) to execute their proposal. Please be sure to include the following information in your proposal: Detailed description of the event or activity Rationale for how this will build community within the School Clarify that the effort is achievable within the proposed time frame and budget Explain how your proposal makes a difference in the quality of life of participants. A list of the types of people who you expect to attend the event (faculty, staff, students, with their affiliated units) A detailed budget. Please note: In general, funding will not cover equipment (cameras, computers, furniture). Proposals for house parties or research will not be considered. In addition, these funds cannot support charities. Proposal authors are expected to volunteer their time; stipends for the organizing team will not be considered. Please note that when picking your primary department, you must select the DLC that will be managing the award (PILM, MIBR, BCS). After funding The lead applicant is expected to work with their School of Science unit to utilize funds. Grant recipients will be asked to submit a summary report at the end of the semester describing their planning, activities, schedule, budget, and community participation and impact. We would also appreciate any photos of your events or activities, if available.

At the MIT School of Science, we celebrate the achievements of faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Awards and Honors Our talented community has been honored with many awards. MIT School of Science Awards Undergraduate and Graduate Teaching Prizes The School of Science annually awards teaching prizes for faculty excellence in teaching. Nominations for awards are submitted in the late spring. Dean’s Fellowship The Dean of the School of Science offers a fellowship to students nominated by their departments to support their graduate studies. Staff Excellence Awards The Staff Excellence Awards program recognizes the significant contributions School of Science staff members make to the MIT community, particularly for accomplishments that go beyond their typical roles and duties. Spot Awards Infinite Mile Award Infinite Expansion Award

This past year, advance degree recipients in the MIT School of Science participated in a Commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 3pm in Kresge Auditorium. Guests—up to 4 per graduate—will be welcomed at these celebrations and hoods will be presented to doctoral candidates. To request accessible seating at Commencement, please fill out this form. Answers to other Frequently Asked Questions are below. For more information, additional accommodations, or questions about the School of Science advanced degree ceremony, please reach out to Nina Wu, Event Manager for the School of Science. For all other questions regarding Commencement ceremonies, please visit commencement.mit.edu. Watch the ceremony online (including ASL interpretation). Advanced degree ceremony Honoring graduates of master’s and doctoral programs in the MIT School of Science Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Location: Kresge Auditorium, Lord Swraj Paul PC ’52 and Angad Paul ’92 Theater Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Graduates, 2:00pm, line up at Johnson Ice Rink Guests, doors open, 2:00pm four (4) tickets per graduate. A ticket is required for all those ages three (3) and older. Children ages two (2) and under do not need tickets. Keynote speaker: France Anne Córdova France Anne Córdova is an astrophysicist and a leader for more than three decades in science, engineering, and education. She is currently president of the Science Philanthropy Alliance, whose mission is to advance science through visionary philanthropy. She has served in five presidential administrations, both Democratic and Republican, and was the 14th director of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Córdova’s scientific contributions have been in the areas of observational and experimental astrophysics, multi-spectral research on x-ray and gamma ray sources and space-borne instrumentation. She has published more than 150 scientific papers and numerous science policy papers. She was co-principal investigator for a telescope experiment that is currently flying on the satellite XMM-Newton, a cornerstone mission of the European Space Agency. Córdova has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. She is also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Association for Women in Science (AWIS). Frequently asked questions ADA Seating Please fill out this form. Regalia Please refer to the Commencement site for additional information about obtaining regalia for the ceremony. Guest tickets Each graduating student will be allotted 4 guest tickets. Guest tickets are provided to candidates who are on the degree list and participating in Commencement. You will receive an email in mid-May with instructions for downloading digital guest tickets (PDFs). The tickets themselves will be available at the end of May—they are not released on completion of regalia orders. Where do I pick up my diploma? For more information about diplomas, please visit: registrar.mit.edu/transcripts-records/diplomas. All diplomas will be mailed to graduates. More details about diplomas – paper and digital – are available on the Registrar’s Office website. How do I order graduation photos? Photo ordering information for the Class of 2025 will be mailed directly following the ceremonies from GradImages. Graduates will receive an email and a hard copy packet will be sent to the mailing address on file. Where is my program and/or departmental reception? Following the main school reception, graduates are invited by their home departments for program-specific receptions and celebrations. Please contact the individual program director or department for more information about the time and location for these events.