About WI STEP
Our Mission
The Wisconsin Science, Technology, and Engineering Policy (WI STEP) Fellowship serves as a nonpartisan source of scientific and technological information relevant to legislative decision-making to ensure that public policy decisions affecting the people of Wisconsin are informed by high-quality evidence and professional, objective analysis.
Setting the Standard for Evidence-Informed Policy
How WI STEP Came to Be
WI STEP grew out of a 2025 planning grant from the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The fellowship is being designed in close consultation with the Wisconsin Legislature’s nonpartisan service agencies, notably the Wisconsin Legislative Council.
The fellowship builds on a successful short-term public service science fellowship placement with the Wisconsin Legislative Council in 2022, which demonstrated the value of additional scientific expertise capacity within the service agencies. WI STEP also draws on the experience of similar science and technology fellowship programs operating in over 10 other states, adapting proven models to Wisconsin’s unique legislative context and needs.
Who WI STEP Serves
Legislators & Legislative Staff
WI STEP works within Wisconsin's existing nonpartisan institutions to provide the technical analysis your office needs to navigate complex science and technology policy issues.
Nonpartisan Legislative Service Agencies
WI STEP helps to strengthen legislative service agencies with their capacity to deliver timely, rigorous policy analysis without compromising the integrity legislators depend on.
Wisconsin Communities
Better-informed policy decisions lead to better outcomes for Wisconsin residents, from clean water and energy policy to public health and emerging technology.