Foreign Affairs Information Technology Fellowship

The U.S. Department of State is seeking to attract top tech talent to the Foreign Service that reflects the diversity of the United States. Women, members of minority groups underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial need, are encouraged to apply to this challenging and rewarding program. Foreign Affairs IT Fellows will receive:

  • Academic funding: up to $37,500 annually for tuition, room and board, books, mandatory fees and some travel expense, for the junior and senior years of undergraduate study, OR a two-year master’s degree program in an IT-related field.
  • Stipends, housing and travel allowances for the two summer internships: A domestic internship in Washington, D.C. at the U.S. Department of State; and an international internship at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.
  • Personalized mentoring and professional development opportunities throughout the program.
  • An appointment in the Foreign Service as an Information Management Specialist upon successful completion of the program and the State Department’s requirements. Fellows agree to a minimum five-year commitment upon entry into the Foreign Service.

Eligibility

Here are the current eligibility requirements for the FAIT Fellowship program. You must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program relevant to Information Technology at a U.S.-based accredited institution, and entering the junior year in the fall of the cohort year, OR seeking admission in an IT-related master’s degree program at a U.S.-based accredited institution, beginning in the fall of the cohort year.
  • Hold a minimum 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale at the time of the application, and maintain this GPA through participation in the program.
  • Be able to obtain and maintain medical and security clearances and suitability requirements.

Minority groups historically underrepresented in the State Department are encouraged to apply: this includes but is not limited to racial, ethnic, geographic, and gender minorities, as well as those with financial need.

About Information Management Specialists

As a U.S. Foreign Service Information Management Specialist (IMS), you will support and maintain hundreds of applications and provide IT services domestically and abroad at over 275 overseas posts in nearly 200 countries.

You will serve your country by maintaining secure, reliable IT tools and resources to ensure that Foreign Service Officers, federal agencies and non-government partners can promote diplomacy while serving overseas. You will gain experiences that few other IT professions offer, including the reward of living in a foreign country while experiencing different cultures and helping to protect U.S. interests abroad.

Foreign Service Information Management Specialists have access to training and career development programs; health and medical coverage; federal retirement benefits and generous paid leave. Overseas benefits include paid housing or a housing allowance, and paid education for dependent children in K-12.

The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of State is the President’s principal foreign policy advisor. The primary responsibility of the U.S. Department of State and its employees is to fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives while building a freer, prosperous and secure world. Learn more at https://careers.state.gov/.

The Foreign Affairs IT (FAIT) Fellowship is dedicated to empowering the next generation of technology leaders in the U.S. Foreign Service who reflect the face of America and providing a source of trained individuals who are dedicated to pursuing careers as Foreign Service Information Management Specialists.

We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce opens doors to innovation, creativity, new ideas and solutions, and a better understanding of the world.  A more diverse generation of Foreign Service staff is culturally aware, adaptable, well-rounded and agile – and able to represent the best of the United States to nations around the world.

The FAIT Fellowship program is administered by The Washington Center (TWC), where the level of support and mentorship provided to students is unparalleled. While we challenge students to grow and develop as leaders, The Washington Center provides personalized guidance and support to all participants to ensure they are set up for success. Learn more about TWC here: https://twc.edu/.