Foreign Affairs Information Technology Fellowship
Use your tech skills to make a difference, see the world, and shape the future of diplomatic technology.
If you plan to earn an IT-related bachelor’s or master’s degree and you are interested in a fulfilling career in public service traveling the world, the Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship is the opportunity of a lifetime.
Funded by the U.S. Department of State, this two-year Fellowship program is a path to a career in the Foreign Service by providing academic funding for an IT-related degree, internships, professional development and mentorship – culminating in an appointment in the Foreign Service as a Diplomatic Technology Officer (DTO).
As one of several high-profile U.S. Department of State diversity recruitment programs, the FAIT Fellowship seeks to attract top technology talent to the Foreign Service that reflects the diversity of the United States.
Visit the FAIT Fellowship website to see all benefits and eligibility requirements, view webinars and videos, and apply for the program.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the FAIT Fellowship program, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time IT-related degree program at a U.S.-based accredited institution.
- Be on a timeline to earn your degree (bachelor’s or master’s) after attending four full-time semesters during your two years of the FAIT Fellowship program.
- Hold a minimum cumulative 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale at the time of the application, and maintain this GPA throughout the program.
Additional eligibility requirements are detailed on the Eligibility page of the FAIT Fellowship website.
Program Benefits
The two-year fellowship program provides:
- Up to $43,500 annually in academic funding for tuition, room and board, books, mandatory fees and some travel expense (see eligibility requirements).
- 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 overseas internship at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.
- Personalized mentoring and professional development opportunities throughout the program.
Upon successful completion of the fellowship program and the State Department’s entry requirements, fellows receive an appointment in the Foreign Service as an Diplomatic Technology Officer (DTO). Fellows agree to a minimum five-year commitment upon entry into the Foreign Service.
Dates and Deadlines
Please see the FAIT Fellowship website for current information on application dates and deadlines.
How to Apply
Please visit the FAIT Fellowship website for detailed information on required application documents and to access the application portal.
About Diplomatic Technology Officers
As a Diplomatic Technology Officer (DTO) in the Foreign Service, you will serve in key roles domestically and in U.S. embassies and consulates overseas. In efforts of promoting our diplomatic and American values at home and abroad, you will serve your country by maintaining secure, reliable IT tools and resources ensuring that the U.S. State Department, other federal agencies, non-government partners, and Americans overseas can effectively communicate. 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.