U.S. Department of State

You are invited to apply to serve as a Franklin Fellow at the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).  The Franklin Fellows is a unique and innovative program via which you can grow professionally while doing public service.  If you are a U.S. citizen and have a minimum of five years of relevant, professional-level experience, you will have the opportunity to bring fresh thinking and best practices to the formulation and execution of U.S. foreign and development policy by working on global issues of vital importance to our country. These include the environment; counterterrorism; human rights; consular matters; HIV/AIDS and other trans-national diseases; trade, energy and financial policy; and many others.  Also, you may interact with other government and international entities, such as the NSC, the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, other Executive Branch departments and the United Nations.  You will return from your fellowship year with a much-enhanced knowledge of foreign and development policy issues and government operations and culture.

Please take a close look at the Franklin Fellows Program. It is not an entry-level program but, if you are a mid-career or more senior professional, this is a "win-win-win" for you, for your nominating organization and for our country!

The Franklin Fellows Program is a unique and innovative executive development vehicle which enables approved organizations to promote public service by their professionals.  Your organization’s Franklin Fellow will work on global issues of vital importance to the United States, such as the environment; counterterrorism; human rights; consular matters; HIV/AIDS and other trans-national diseases; trade, energy and financial policy; and many others.

Your Franklin Fellow may interact with other government entities, such as the NSC, Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, other Executive Branch departments and the United nations.  He/she will return to the organization with a much-enhanced knowledge of foreign and development policy issues and government operations and culture.  Particularly if your organization has an international focus or does business abroad, the Franklin Fellows Program is an ideal way to position your organization to excel.

The Franklin Fellows Program is open to mid/upper-level professionals from both private-sector and non-profit entities (including NGOs, academia, foundations, associations and others).  Such professionals must be U.S. citizens and be able to obtain a security clearance.  The clearance will be processed prior to the start of the Fellowship.  The Department or USAID will make the final selection and placement of Fellows but will take into account suggestions from the candidate and from the nominating/funding entity, if any.

The Fellows will contribute their knowledge and expertise to the strengthening of policy formulation and program implementation within the Department of State and USAID.  Further, Fellows may interact with other government and international entities, such as the NSC, Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, other Executive Branch agencies, and the United Nations, depending on their duties.  At the same time, Fellows will enhance their own knowledge of government and global issues.  Fellows will gain valuable professional experience and enrich their nominating organizations and communities upon their return.

Approved, non-federal entities may participate in the Franklin Fellows Program as follows:

• First, such entities, once approved by the Department of State or USAID, may continue the salaries and benefits of their nominees who are selected. Remuneration for Fellows who are being funded directly by their nominating organizations shall remain the sole jurisdiction of the Fellow and the home organization. These Fellows will serve in the Department or USAID as unpaid consultants/experts.
• Second, approved, non-federal entities may donate funds as a gift to the Department of State for support of otherwise-unfunded State or USAID Fellows.
• Third, approved, non-federal entities may nominate Fellows whom they fund partially or not at all. The Department of State and USAID would rely on donations, if available, to support unfunded or partially-funded fellows. At present, no such donated funds are available.

The Department of State or USAID will cover most costs associated with the security investigation and clearance. Once a Fellow has begun service, his/her host office may choose to send the Fellow on official domestic or international travel. If such official travel is directed, the host office will pay transportation, lodging and per diem necessary for the official travel.

Inquiries from academia:

Robert Dry, Advisor for Fellows, 202-261-8871, dryrw@state.gov.

Other Candidates:

Mayra Robinson, Program Manager, 202-261-8865, robinsonml@state.gov

Jacalyn Stein, Administration, 202-261-8861, steinjm@state.gov

You can also connect with the Franklin Fellows staff by visiting the Franklin Fellows forum.