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"We
still have far too few officers with strong science backgrounds, but
thanks to the National Academies and others in the scientific
community such as the American Association for the Advancement of
Science and the American Institute of Physics and the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a small group of scientific
fellows have joined our ranks, and their number will grow.
Scientists, volunteers have graciously put their own research on
hold, stopped their own work, their own life, to perform tours of
duty in many of the State Department's bureaus, and they are making
a real difference. And we look forward to welcoming more scientists
on to our State Department team, either as fellows or as career
Foreign Service Officers or Civil Service Officers."
Secretary
of State Colin Powell, Remarks to the National Academy, April 30,
2002 |
IEEE-USA is
seeking expressions of interest from IEEE U.S. members interested in
spending a year working in Washington as an IEEE-USA Engineering and
Diplomacy Fellow in the U.S.
State Department. The
Fellowships begin in January of each year and offer an opportunity for an engineer to provide technical
expertise to the State Department, and help raise awareness of the value of
engineering input while learning about and contributing to the foreign
policy process.
For more information, see
Department of State Publication: "Professional
Science and Engineering Society Fellows Program" (2008)
History
In an October 1999 report,
the National Research Council concluded that, "the Department [of
State] needs the capability to understand how technological factors
influence political and economic developments." In its 15 May 2000
response, the State Department recognized, "the growing significance
of science and technology based issues in foreign policy and is aware that
this trend will continue and accelerate. The Department is determined to
do what is necessary to respond to this challenge and to meet its
responsibilities in this area."
The State Department Science & Technology Advisor reached out to IEEE-USA and other
science and engineering societies for help in building its S&T expertise; the result is the IEEE-USA's Engineering and
Diplomacy Fellowship program. Other organizations currently
providing State Department fellowships include the American
Institute of Physics and the American
Association for the Advancement of Science.
Selection Criteria
To be considered for an IEEE-USA Engineering & Diplomacy Fellowship, applicants must:
-
Be a U.S. citizen at the time of selection.
-
Be an IEEE member in good standing at Member grade or higher for at least two (2) years.
-
Possess a BS in engineering or qualified science and 10+ years professional experience; MS in engineering or qualified science and 5+ years professional experience; or PhD/ Post-doc in engineering or qualified science, entering the workforce.
-
Possess or be able to obtain a security clearance **PRIOR** to the beginning of the fellowship.
The
IEEE-USA Government Fellows Committee considers the following factors when selecting State Department fellows:
-
length of
IEEE membership,
-
education,
-
technical competence and professional experience,
-
previous public
service/public policy expertise,
-
basic comprehension and understanding of the public policy process,
-
evidence of service to IEEE and the engineering profession.
-
communication
skills,
-
demonstrated interest in foreign policy,
-
foreign language
proficiencies, and
-
overall suitability
for the Fellowship.
A joint IEEE-USA
and State Department committee will then review the finalists, with the State Department giving final
approval of the Fellow selection.
Additional criteria may be established by the selection committee. Specifically excluded as selection criteria are age, sex, creed, race, ethnic background, and partisan political affiliations.
Post Selection
Once the Fellow is selected,
arrangements will be made immediately by the State Department to obtain a security
clearance (if the Fellow does not already have a clearance). A security clearance currently requires a 4-6 month background check. The Fellow will be asked to complete a clearance form, provide contact
information, and make various disclosures. For more information,
see:
During the Summer or Fall, the Fellow will
be invited to interview with
interested State Department bureaus and choose an assignment from among
the resulting opportunities. IEEE-USA has no role in selecting the
Fellow's assignment, the Fellow does not act as a representative of
IEEE-USA during the Fellowship term, and is not considered an employee of
IEEE-USA.
Fellows are also required to attend a
two-week orientation program coordinated by the American Association for the
Advancement of Science (AAAS) in September of each year. The 2009 AAAS fellows orientation for executive branch fellows is scheduled for 2-14 September.
Stipend & Travel
During the Fellowship year, IEEE-USA Congressional Fellows receive a Fellowship stipend of either $65,000 (MS and BS with experience) or $55,000 (Post Docs/ PhDs just entering the workforce). PhD's with work experience will receive the higher stipend. The Government Fellows Committee has the discretion to determine stipend levels based upon an applicant's experience.
Payment of the Fellowship stipend is contingent upon the Fellow's receipt of an appropriate security clearance, participation in the AAAS orientation, and reaching agreement with the State Department on a suitable assignment.
IEEE-USA provides an additional supplementary allowance of $5,000 for travel and relocation expenses; this may be incorporated into the stipend if desired. IEEE-USA will also reimburse reasonable pre-fellowship travel and lodging expenses (with prior approval) related to the AAAS fellowship orientation and assignment interviews. The Fellows or their employers are responsible for the balance of salaries, benefits, and all other expenses.
When making arrangements to supplement the
Fellowship stipend through a continued salary from an employer, applicants must consider potential conflicts of
interest.
How to Apply
Postmark application deadline for 2010
Engineering and Diplomacy Fellowships:
13 March 2009
If the Government Fellows Committee selects you as a finalist, you will be invited to interview in-person in Washington, DC at IEEE-USA’s expense.
The interviews are scheduled for 5-6 May 2009. An in-person interview at the scheduled time is mandatory and rescheduling the interview at a later date is not an option.
You can download the Fellowship Application
Kit in the following formats:
Please mail your application—both electronically and via regular mail—to Bernadette Concepcion at:
IEEE-USA Engineering and Diplomacy Fellowship
Please note: NEW ADDRESS AS OF 15 DECEMBER 2008
(If you have used the old address, mail will be forwarded)
IEEE-USA
2001 L Street, NW
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
b.concepcion at ieee.org
202-530-8365 (Phone)
202-785-0835 (Fax)
