Foreign Affairs Information Technology (IT) Fellowship

Deadline

Overview

The Foreign Affairs IT Fellowship was launched by the State Department to address its growing need for technology expertise in the field of diplomacy, in addition to increasing the representation of diverse groups among its service. The Fellowship is designed to attract outstanding individuals from all ethnic, racial and social backgrounds who have an interest in pursuing a Foreign Service career with the U.S. Department of State. Women, members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service and students with financial need are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• Undergraduate candidates (2 fellowships available): Up to $37,500 annually for tuition, room and board, books, mandatory fees and some travel expenses for junior and senior years of undergraduate studies related to an Information Technology field.
• Graduate candidates (3 fellowships available): Up to $37,500 annually for tuition, room and board, books, mandatory fees and some travel expenses for a two-year master’s degree in an IT-related field.
• Two summer internships, one at a domestic office of the Department of State in Washington, D.C. and one overseas at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The program provides stipends, transportation and housing for these internships.
• Employment in the Department of State Foreign Service for those who successfully complete the program and Foreign Service IMS entry requirements.

Eligibility criteria

Undergraduate Fellowship

• Applicants must be United States citizens.
• Applicants must be in the sophomore year of undergraduate study at a U.S. undergraduate institution.
• Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program relevant to Information Technology, at a U.S.-based accredited institution, and entering your junior year in the fall of the cohort year, OR seeking admission to an IT-related master’s degree program, at a U.S.-based accredited institution, beginning in the fall of the cohort year.
• Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale at the time of application and this grade point average must be maintained throughout participation in the program.

Graduate Fellowship

• Applicants must be United States citizens.
• Applicants must be seeking admission to a U.S. graduate school.
• Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale at the time of application and this grade point average must be maintained throughout participation in the program.
• Applicants must enroll in a two-year, full-time master’s degree program at U.S.-based graduate institutions only, in an academic field relevant to Information Technology. Applicants must be able to attend orientation in Washington, D.C. if selected.

Award requirements

Becoming a Foreign Affairs IT Fellow means that you are committed to completing the junior and senior years of an undergraduate degree or a two-year master's degree program in an Information Technology field, becoming a U.S. Department of State Foreign Service IMS and representing your country and its interests abroad and at home. Upon accepting the fellowship, you will sign a contract that clearly outlines your benefits and responsibilities as an IT Fellow. In addition to the rigorous academic requirements of being an IT Fellow, such as maintaining a GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale for each individual semester of the Fellowship program, there are strict Foreign Service entry requirements including security, medical and suitability requirements which must be fulfilled and maintained to remain in the program. Also, there is a minimum five-year service commitment in the Department of State's Foreign Service.

Application Process

http://www.twc.edu/foreign-affairs-information-technology-fellowship-program/how-to-apply

• Go to the Online Student Portal. It is recommended that you save the URL as a bookmark.
• Create an account. Note: If you have applied for any other TWC programs please create an account using a different email address for your IT Fellowship application.
• Start and submit the online application by following the instructions. Throughout the process, you can save your application and return to it at a later time.