This is an unpaid fellowship program administered by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This Fellowship offers middle and senior-level professionals in academia, business, NGOs, foundations, and associations an opportunity to serve in government. Successful applicants ideally are employed by a non-governmental/private entity that continues to provide their salary and benefits during the year at the Department of State or USAID. Fellows normally return to their employer at the end of the fellowship. This is a temporary Federal government appointment and does not lead to permanent employment with the Department of State or USAID. Applicants are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting the application package. Please note that we only consider applications that are submitted according to the instructions.
Summary
This is an unpaid fellowship program administered by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This Fellowship offers middle and senior-level professionals in academia, business, NGOs, foundations, and associations an opportunity to serve in government. Successful applicants ideally are employed by a non-governmental/private entity that continues to provide their salary and benefits during the year at the Department of State or USAID. Fellows normally return to their employer at the end of the fellowship. This is a temporary Federal government appointment and does not lead to permanent employment with the Department of State or USAID. Applicants are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting the application package. Please note that we only consider applications that are submitted according to the instructions.
Franklin Fellows bring their substantive expertise to bear to help formulate policy or implement programs and projects. They advance U.S. foreign, economic, and development goals, share their expertise, and enhance their knowledge of government, foreign and domestic policy, and global issues. Fellows gain valuable professional experience and enrich their businesses and organizations upon their return. Franklin Fellows serve in offices at the Department of State or USAID in Washington, DC, or at the United Nations in New York. Currently, we seek applicants with expertise across the range of foreign policy and development concerns, including expertise in: all geographic regions; economics; human rights; civil society; religious freedom; security sector reform; and conflict economies. In addition, the Department of State’s Global Engagement Center is seeking Fellows with experience in public diplomacy, using social media tools, with the aim of countering global state and non-state disinformation.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret or Top Secret level clearance.
Applicants must submit a Financial Disclosure Form prior to serving.
Must be able to receive an Ethics clearance prior to serving.
This program is not open to current U.S. Government employees.
Eligibility Requirements: (Being deemed “eligible” is not a guarantee of employment, but rather an indicator that a candidate is eligible for consideration.)
Must be a U.S. citizen and an expert in your field, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience. (Internships are not counted in determining minimum eligibility.)
Applicants must identify the bureau(s) in which they wish to be considered. Click here for a list of bureaus within the U.S. Department of State.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret or Top Secret level clearance. (Clearances are based upon the assignment.)
Prior to serving, applicants may be required to submit a Financial Disclosure Form and receive an ethics clearance.
This program is not open to current U.S. Government employees.
Qualifications
The goal of the program is for Fellows, serving as ‘consultants’ or ‘experts’, to provide valuable and pertinent advice, views, opinions, alternatives or recommendations on foreign policy and development issues facing the nation. Accordingly, applicants must be experts on a relevant subject, with at least five years of professional experience. Fellows must be prepared to work full time in Washington or New York, depending on the particular assignment.
Program Details: Fellows will be matched with Department of State and USAID bureaus needing their unique expertise. The duration of the Fellowship is one year. Fellows must recuse themselves from matters that might directly and predictably affect the financial interests of their employers and must comply with other pertinent federal ethics rules. Applicants, as appropriate, must submit a financial disclosure form and receive an ethics clearance prior to serving.
Fellows will serve in the Department of State or USAID as unpaid ‘experts’ or ‘consultants’. Remuneration for Fellows who are being funded directly by their nominating organizations shall remain the responsibility of the Fellow and his or her organization.
The Department of State will cover costs associated with the security investigation and clearance, as well as transportation and per diem necessary for official travel once the Fellow enters on duty. Applicants cover costs for fingerprinting, document preparation and mailing in connection with the security clearance process.
For general questions regarding the Franklin Fellowship Program, receipt of your supporting documentation, or the status of your application, see the "How To Apply" and "Benefits & Other Info" tabs.
Additional information
More than one selection will be made from this announcement.
Contacts / Website: Additional information about the Franklin Fellows Program can be found here. Points of contact are:
Inquiries from private sector, academia, non-governmental organizations, and foundations: Mary Daly, Senior Advisor for Franklin Fellows, can be reached at FranklinFellowsProgram@state.gov.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants will be evaluated by the Franklin Fellows Program staff, and other State and USAID Human Resources personnel, as appropriate. They may request additional information from applicants, to include interviews, as appropriate. To preview questions please click here.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
All required documents listed below must be submitted at the time of application. Applicants who do not submit the required documentation will not be considered for this fellowship opportunity. Each application package must consist of:
1. General program questions (completed through the Gateway to State online application). Applicants must answer all questions. Please pay special attention to Question 12, which asks you to provide a statement of interest.
2. Resume
Do not attach any additional materials such as position descriptions, degrees, certificates of training, or publications. Applications submitted without the required documents stated above or if the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you will not be considered for this "unpaid" fellowship opportunity.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Applicants must submit an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS. Information you provide in USAJOBS is general information completed by all applicants. The information you provide and your Federal resume will become part of your application and will automatically be transferred to the Department of State's Gateway to State application system when you apply on-line. The submission of anything other than the below on-line application process will result in your not being considered for this Fellowship opportunity.
You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement to complete the following three-step application process:
STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button on the right side of this page and follow the instructions provided.
STEP 2: In the Gateway to State, you will answer general program questions necessary to evaluate your potential for this fellowship opportunity. When completed, the information you provided at USAJOBS, your resume and responses to the Gateway to State questions will become your application. This information will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this fellowship opportunity. Review your resume to make certain that it supports your responses to the user information questions and the general program questions.
STEP 3: Submit all required documentation listed in the "required documents" section of this announcement prior to the closing date.
Technical assistance with your on-line application can be obtained by contacting the Help Desk at mgshelp@monster.comOR by calling (866) 656-6830 or (703) 269-4944 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
NOTE: Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
NOTE: If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package by fax. Please contact the FFP Program Office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, at least two working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the FFP Program Office no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
U.S. Department of State
Applications are not being accepted by Mail.
Washington, District of Columbia 22209
United States
Next steps
You should receive an email letting you know that your application was received. You will not receive another email as long as your application is still being considered. For instructions on how to view the status of your application, please click here.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
All required documents listed below must be submitted at the time of application. Applicants who do not submit the required documentation will not be considered for this fellowship opportunity. Each application package must consist of:
1. General program questions (completed through the Gateway to State online application). Applicants must answer all questions. Please pay special attention to Question 12, which asks you to provide a statement of interest.
2. Resume
Do not attach any additional materials such as position descriptions, degrees, certificates of training, or publications. Applications submitted without the required documents stated above or if the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you will not be considered for this "unpaid" fellowship opportunity.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Applicants must submit an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS. Information you provide in USAJOBS is general information completed by all applicants. The information you provide and your Federal resume will become part of your application and will automatically be transferred to the Department of State's Gateway to State application system when you apply on-line. The submission of anything other than the below on-line application process will result in your not being considered for this Fellowship opportunity.
You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement to complete the following three-step application process:
STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button on the right side of this page and follow the instructions provided.
STEP 2: In the Gateway to State, you will answer general program questions necessary to evaluate your potential for this fellowship opportunity. When completed, the information you provided at USAJOBS, your resume and responses to the Gateway to State questions will become your application. This information will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this fellowship opportunity. Review your resume to make certain that it supports your responses to the user information questions and the general program questions.
STEP 3: Submit all required documentation listed in the "required documents" section of this announcement prior to the closing date.
Technical assistance with your on-line application can be obtained by contacting the Help Desk at mgshelp@monster.comOR by calling (866) 656-6830 or (703) 269-4944 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
NOTE: Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
NOTE: If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package by fax. Please contact the FFP Program Office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, at least two working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the FFP Program Office no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
U.S. Department of State
Applications are not being accepted by Mail.
Washington, District of Columbia 22209
United States
Next steps
You should receive an email letting you know that your application was received. You will not receive another email as long as your application is still being considered. For instructions on how to view the status of your application, please click here.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
