2025 Policy Academy applications are closed.

Through the Policy Academy, NCSD trains individuals from state and local health departments on how to engage in policy and policymaker education safely and effectively. By providing an overview of policy basics and options, and building skills to navigate policy, NCSD strives to demystify policy work and empower STI program staff to effectively utilize this powerful strategy.

The Policy Academy has several learning objectives for participants:

• • • Learn policy basics and legislative and non-legislative options
    • Learn how to confidently engage in policy and policymaker education
    • Gain skills to address public health program challenges through policy
    • Understand how to leverage partnerships and coalitions
    • Develop messaging that resonates with various audiences
    • Understand how to evaluate policy quality and effectiveness

In addition to one-on-one technical assistance throughout the Policy Academy, NCSD will assist participants with activities such as policy strategy development, factsheet creation, and messaging.

To fully take part in the Policy Academy, participants should complete the following activities:

• • • Join a 30-minute one-on-one Zoom interview with NCSD staff to discuss your goal(s) for the Policy Academy and travel to the in-person training. Interviews will take place during the month of April 2025 and NCSD staff may schedule your interview after you apply.
    • Participate in a virtual orientation on May 8 from 3-4 pm ET.
    • Participate in two, 90-minute virtual bootcamps on May 22 and June 18 from 3-4:30 pm ET.
    • Watch four 20–30-minute modules from May to September 2025 (there will be specific deadlines by which each module must be finished).
    • Participate in one 60-minute, virtual homework workshop to practice policy writing skills on July 17 at 3pm ET.
    • Schedule at least one 30-minute 1:1 session with NCSDs policy team during the duration of the Academy to brainstorm your policy goal more in-depth.
    • Attend the in-person training in San Francisco from August 21-22, 2025.
    • Complete four homework assignments throughout the summer and one policy “pitch” presentation in late September to graduate.
    • Participate in one follow-up virtual meeting and one final evaluation after the Policy Academy concludes (November 2025 and February 2026, respectively).

In the years since the Policy Academy began, more than 150 participants have been trained. These participants have addressed policy topics ranging from expedited partner therapy (EPT) to STI prevention partner-related barriers to third-trimester syphilis testing requirements. In many cases, the time spent tackling these topics in the Policy Academy has led to policy movement at the state-level. Join us today to help make a difference in your community!

Policy Academy Application Tutorial

Learn how to apply and more information about the Academy by watching this tutorial video.