The U.S. Department of State is accepting applications for the seventh cohort of the Veterans Innovation Partnership (VIP) Fellowship program. The application period opens Thursday, October 15 to Friday, October 23, 2020, at 11:59pm Eastern Time.
This program aims to serve America’s Veterans and separating service members’ transition to diplomacy and development careers through a yearlong paid professional fellowship at State. Fellows are exposed to career opportunities, gain valuable skills for working in the public or private sector, and receive mentoring from experienced professionals – as well as support from other high achieving fellows and alumni.
Eligible Veterans may submit applications for the 2020-21 timeframe, considered the Class of 2021, by searching “Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellow” on https://www.usajobs.gov/. While the official application period closes on October 23rd, it may close earlier if 250 applications are received for each of the two position descriptions. It is highly suggested that interested Veterans do not delay in applying and prepare now.
ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS
- VIP fellowships are open to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans and transitioning U.S. military service members who have completed a master’s degree program or higher in the preferred fields of International Business, International Relations/Affairs, Public Policy, Public Administration, or a related field.
- Eligible Veterans must apply within two years of graduate degree completion, except for those precluded from doing so due to their U.S. military service obligation, who will have up to six years after degree completion to apply.
- Armed Forces Reservists and National Guard members are eligible, provided they have completed a minimum of two years of time in service. Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic developmental program.
- All positions will be in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The expected duration of the fellowship will be one year. This program is not designed to lead to permanent federal employment and does not convey preference in seeking such employment. Nor does it convey the ability to convert non-competitively to a competitive service federal position.
- This program accepts all U.S. military service branches, including Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard members. There is no age limit or special needs restriction. Retired U.S. military are welcome as long as they have recently completed a graduate program or higher.
Review the application process at http://www.vipfellowship.org/application-process/. Learn more at https://www.vipfellowship.org/ or https://careers.state.gov/work/fellowships/vip/, and follow us @VIPFellowship on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to stay up to date.
Christine Johnson is a VIP alumna and a current foreign affairs officer for the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Partnerships.
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