Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you would like to submit a question about the conference, please use our Question Form.
The FAQs will be updated as more questions are received.

1. Q:  Do I have to attend the EPA/AAAS Graduate Fellowship Program Expo?
A.   The 2008 Program Expo is not considered a conference and therefore is not mandatory, although Fellow participation is highly encouraged to learn of opportunities available through the AAAS program. This is a special year as EPA will co-sponsor the Program Expo with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Normally, per the fellowship conditions located in your EPA Fellowship Agreement (#4), attendance at the Fellowship Conferences is mandatory for all Fellows, but not for this Program Expo. All Fellows should plan to attend the next conference to be held September 27-30, 2009 in Washington, DC.

You must register on the conference Web site whether or not you intend to participate in the 2008 EPA/AAAS Graduate Fellowship Program Expo. If you opt not to participate, please go to the registration form for participants who are unable to participate (click here) and fill in the form as requested. 

2. Q:  Can my spouse, significant other, or children come to Washington with me?
A.  Yes, spouses, significant others, or children may accompany conference participants to Washington, DC. However, EPA will not provide sleeping rooms for this year’s conference. Participants will have the option to stay with friends and relatives during the 2008 Expo. For your convenience, EPA has provided a list of nearby hotels that will honor the government rate. To make reservations, please see the hotel listing at http://www.epa.gov/ncer/fellow/forum. Click on the link “2008 EPA/AAAS Graduate Fellowship Program Expo” for more information. 

3. Q:  Can I bring my spouse, significant other, children, and friends to the American Association for the Advancement of Science Building for the Conference Proceedings and Reception? 
A.   The AAAS building is restricted.  Access to family and friends is not authorized.

4. Q.  Do I need Photo Identification to enter AAAS and the Ronald Reagan Buildings?
A.  Yes.  A valid driver’s license and/or employment badge is required.

5. Q:  Will day care be provided while attending the conference?
A.  No. Day care services are not available at the AAAS building (5/19/08) nor at the RRB (5/20-22) 2008 EPA Science Forum.

6. Q:  Will there be a registration fee associated with the 2008 EPA/AAAS Graduate Fellowship Program Expo?
A.  Yes.  The registration fee will cover the costs of the scheduled mandatory working lunch provided by AAAS on May 19 and will be approximately $20.  The AAAS will contact you following your registration with details on the exact registration fee. 

7. Q:  Will I have to pay for my own meals?
A.  Yes. Participants are responsible for paying for all of their own meals. At the conference, EPA will provide suggestions about area restaurants and eateries.  Federal governmental policies prohibit EPA from providing your meals. The mandatory working lunch held on May 19 will be provided by AAAS based on the registration fee.  Vegetarian options will be available.  The Fellowship Advisory Committee will coordinate lunch groups by categories for this working lunch.  For more details, please see the list at http://www.epa.gov/ncer/fellow/forum and go to the “2008 EPA/AAAS Graduate Fellowship Program Expo” link.

8. Q:  Can I stay with friends and/or family members?  Can you suggest hotels if we have no relatives in the Washington, DC, area?  Can we share sleeping rooms provided by the hotel listing?
A.  Yes.  Although EPA does not have a contract for a block of rooms with local DC hotels this year, a list of nearby hotels will be provided for sleeping accommodations.  If you need or would like a roommate to stay with, please visit the Fellow Forum before contacting the hotels to see if other fellows have posted room-sharing needs as well.  Visit the forum at: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/fellow/forum and go to the “2008 EPA/AAAS Graduate Fellowship Program Expo” link.

9. Q:  Is EPA providing any assistance with travel arrangements?
A.  No. Participants are expected to make their own ground and air transportation arrangements and should do this early to avoid possible complications. Refer to the hotel contact list for hotel reservations.  (See http://www.epa.gov/ncer/fellow/forum and click on the “2008 EPA/AAAS Graduate Fellowship Program Expo” link.)

10. Q:  Which Airport is closest to Downtown Washington, DC?
A.   DCA (Washington National Ronald Reagan Airport).

11. Q:  Is there a separate registration to participate in the EPA Science Forum Activities?
A.  Yes.  Within this registration page you will be directed to a link for the Science Forum registration page.

12. Q:  What are the dates of the EPA Science Forum?
A.  The dates are May 20–22, 2008.

13. Q:  Will fellows be required to present a poster at the 2008 EPA Science Forum?
A.  This year's Forum will not include a poster session as in past Science Forum events. Instead, this year's event will include a "Technology Expo" that is designed to display the innovations that best illustrate EPA science and research, including technologies verified by EPA or developed in partnership with outside organizations. EPA encourages fellows with research relevant to EPA Science Forum topics to submit a poster for presentation. See more information here.

14. Q:  When should I display my poster?
A.  Additional information will be provided by the Science Forum Committee.  If your poster is selected by the Science Forum Committee, you will be given a specific time slot in which to display your poster.

15. Q:  Should I send a copy of my biography and abstract to be included in the 2008 EPA/AAAS Graduate Fellowship Program Expo Program Guide?  
A.  Yes.  Please send a copy of your biography and abstract in a Word document (limited to 500 words) with your name, title, university, fellowship year, and personal e-mail address. NOTE: If you submit a poster to the Science Forum Contest, please send a copy of your poster abstract to Emma Roach via e-mail and cc: Gladys Cobbs-Green and Ted Just for reference.

16. Q:  What are the poster requirements?
A.  Additional information on poster guidelines is available at: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/fellow/forum.

17. Q:  Will EPA print my poster for me?
A.  No.  You must prepare poster material on your own.

18. Q:  Will I have to give an oral presentation?
A.  Additional information on oral presentation requirements will be provided by the Science Forum Committee.

19. Q:  Will there be representation from the Grants Administration Division and Las Vegas Finance Office?
A.  No. 

20. Q:  If I have additional questions, whom should I contact?
A.  Contact your assigned EPA Fellowship Project Officer if you have additional questions.  If your Project Officer is unavailable, please e-mail Gladys Cobbs-Green (cobbs-green.gladys@epa.gov), Ted Just (just.ted@epa.gov), Emma Roach (roach.emma@epa.gov), or Amy Amerson (aamerson@scgcorp.com).

21. Q:  Is there parking at the AAAS Building?
A. Yes. Metered parking and garages are located near the AAAS Building. Metered parking is not encouraged. The best way to get to the AAAS and Ronald Reagan Buildings is by Metro or taxi.  For further information about the Metro system and a Metro map, please visit http://www.wmata.com.

22. Q: What are the parking fees and average taxi fares in Washington, DC?  What are the closest Metro stops?
A.

• Metered parking is usually for 1 to 2 hours at a time and requires quarters.  However, you may be ticketed if you park at a meter past the allotted 1 or 2 hours, despite having money in the meter.
• Parking at local garages usually costs between $17 and $33 for the day.
• Taxi fares range from $10 to $75, depending on the destination in the city.
• The nearest Metro stops are:
1. AAAS Building:  Metro Center.  Use the 12th and G Street exit; once on 12th Street, travel north 1 block to H Street—the AAAS Building will be on your left. 
2. Ronald Reagan Building:  Federal Triangle and Metro Center are close.