Deadline: 9-May-22
The US Department of State’s Bureau of Global Talent Management, Office of Talent Acquisition (GTM/TAC) announces a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to support programmatic, financial and administrative activities for the 2023 Foreign Affairs Information Technology Fellowship.
This program seeks to develop information technology talent for the Foreign Service and advance the Department of State's diversity goals.
The program attracts highly talented and qualified candidates to the Foreign Service who represent ethnic, racial, gender, social, and geographic diversity. The Department invests in the fellows by providing financial assistance towards the completion of either the last two years of a bachelor’s degree or a two-year master’s degree in an area relevant to information technology.
Effective management of the Foreign Affairs IT (FAIT) Fellowship Program is fundamental its overall success. The Department is fully invested in this program and seeks to maintain its integrity and high quality.
Program Goals
- Contribute to a Foreign Service that reflects the diversity of the United States.
- Develop new Information Technology talent for the Department of State’s Foreign Service at the undergraduate and graduate level
Program Objectives
- Attract and recruit highly talented and qualified candidates from across the United Sates who represent ethnic, racial, gender, social and geographic diversity to a Foreign Service career in the U.S. Department of State through a program of educational support and professional development.
- Provide candidates and fellows with information on the service elements, benefits, challenges, and requirements of a Foreign Service career.
- Provide candidates and fellows with information on the benefits and obligations of the fellowship and need to complete Foreign Service entry requirements including obtaining and maintaining required clearances (security, suitability and medical) and passing the Foreign Service Specialist Oral Assessment (FSSOA).
- Provide funding to assist fellows towards completing undergraduate and graduate degrees in academic disciplines representing the Information Management Specialist skill needs of the Department’s Foreign Service.
- Enhance fellows’ understanding of the work of an Information Management Specialist and the lifestyle of the Foreign Service through a domestic internship in Washington D.C. and an overseas summer development program at an embassy, consulate, or mission.
- Provide fellows with mentoring and professional development training to expose them to information that will help to prepare them to be successful Foreign Service Information Management Specialists.
- Administer the program in a strategic and efficient way that produces the intended results.
Funding Information
- Funding Amount: $2,400,000
- Number of Awards: One award
- Project Duration: 38 months
Expected Results
Based on the goals and objectives of the program, expected results include, but are not limited to the following:
- Recruitment activities will target diverse candidates and institutions across the United States and highlight the Department of State’s commitment to building a workforce that represents the broad and inclusive elements of their nation’s diversity.
- The applicant pool will represent ethnic, racial, gender, social, and geographic diversity.
- Candidates’ knowledge of the benefits, challenges and requirements of a Foreign Service career will increase.
- 15 fellows will be selected through a highly competitive nationwide selection process.
- Fellows will be prepared for careers with the Department of State as Foreign Service Information Management Specialists through a program that includes financial assistance towards the completion of either the last two years of a bachelor’s degree or a two-year master’s degree in an area relevant to information technology, mentoring, internships, and professional development.
- Fellows will complete Foreign Service Specialist Oral Assessment (FSSOA), medical, security and suitability clearance requirements as outlined in the fellowship agreement in a timely manner.
- The program will be administered in a cost-effective manner, resources will be matched to program objectives, and all program elements will be completed within budget.
Eligibility Criteria
U.S. non-profit/nongovernmental organizations subject to section 501 (c) (3) of the U. S. tax code and U.S. institutions of higher education (public and private). Eligible applicants must provide proof of their 501(c) (3) eligibility status, as determined by the Internal Revenue Service.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=338586