Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellowship Program

VIP provides a yearlong professional fellowship program that aims to serve America’s veterans by preparing them for diplomacy careers.

Applications open for the next cohort tentatively in the spring of 2023. Stay up to date by following @VIPFellowship on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. To be added to the email distribution list, please contact: VIPFellowship@state.gov. 

ABOUT US

The Veterans Innovation Partnership (VIP) Fellowship is a unique twelve-month program funded and administered by the U.S. Department of State (State) that recruits talented veterans with masters in international affairs and political science degree fields. The purpose of this program is to provide opportunities for educated, high achieving veterans to gain experience in foreign policy so they may continue to serve the U.S. beyond the military. Fellows will learn to build on their existing experience to make them more competitive for permanent positions in professional foreign policy and international development careers. Selected veterans will integrate the knowledge and expertise earned from serving overseas and professional military training and apply them to their roles at State. During their tenure, Fellows are encouraged to learn more about the entire department by taking part in 30 to 60-day rotations at other bureaus and offices.

VIP offers an intimate look at how the U.S. government conducts foreign affairs in Washington, DC and is an opportunity to acquire a network of professional contacts in the foreign policy world. They will take part in activities such as organizing international forums, web campaigns, and attend conferences on subjects of international interest. Sponsoring bureaus and hosting offices will provide hands on projects that will take advantage of and build on Fellows’ professional skill sets. The program has made, and continues to make, an important contribution to strengthen America’s global leadership. It produces foreign affairs professionals working throughout U.S. global affairs agencies, the intelligence community, and the private sector, promoting the importance of veteran experience in leadership for diplomacy. VIP alumni contribute to a diversity of fields including economic, environmental, and political fields.

On November 9, 2009, Executive Order 13518, Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government, established the Veterans Employment Initiative. The Initiative is a strategic approach to helping the men and women who have served our country in the military find employment in the Federal Government. In support of this initiative and in recognition of a veteran’s natural potential as a source of talent for diplomacy and development, the U.S. Department of State launched the Veterans Innovation Partnership:

A yearlong professional fellowship program aimed at serving U.S. Armed Forces veterans and transitioning service members by preparing them for diplomacy and development careers. VIP helps provide the education, employment resources and mentorship needed to build strong, transformational leaders to represent American values around the world.

VIP began in 2014 as a public-private platform to help build and deploy partnerships between the U.S. government and private sector to mobilize networks that promote global affairs career opportunities for veterans. In recent years, State has taken ownership by providing funding for each fellowship position and continues to provide the following elements of engagement to support veteran’s transition to diplomacy and development careers:

  • EDUCATION – Fellows gain hands-on learning through work in a U.S. government foreign affairs agency;
  • FELLOWSHIP – Join talented and ambitious veterans that form the foundation of the fellowship class; and
  • EMPLOYMENT – Get facilitated exposure to career opportunities in diplomacy and development.
The program was founded by the Office of Global Partnerships (GP):

  • As the center of excellence for collaboration between the U.S. Department of State, the public and private sectors, and civil society, GP helped birth the program alongside external partners invested in supporting veteran’s employment after service. Launched in 2008, GP builds and facilitates partnerships that leverage the creativity, innovation, and core business resources of partners for greater impact. GP remains a main contributor to the Fellows each year and assists in carrying out programming activities. To learn more about GP, visit this webpage or email: Partnerships@state.gov.

The program is managed by the Bureau of Global Talent Management (GTM):

  • Leading the way on veteran’s Federal Government employment, GTM was the top choice to continue promoting and developing the VIP Fellowship for the U.S. Department of State. GTM has provided invaluable support and resources to the veterans involved in the VIP Fellowship each year. This bureau covers recruitment, assignment evaluation, promotion, discipline, career development, and retirement policies and programs for all Foreign and Civil Service employees agency wide. To learn more about GTM and Veterans Employment Programs, visit this website or email Vets@state.gov.
This program aims to assist and support veterans, retirees and service members transition from defense to diplomacy and development careers through a yearlong, paid professional Fellowship at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. During the year, Fellows are exposed to career opportunities and build experience holding a full-time Civil Service portfolio; gain valuable skills for working in the public or private sector; and receive mentoring from experienced professionals alongside the support and comradery stemming from other high achieving Fellows and Alumni.
  1. To provide veterans with hands on projects that will take advantage of and build on professional skill sets.
  2. To provide opportunities for educated, high achieving veterans to gain experience in foreign policy so they may continue to serve the U.S. beyond the military.
  3. To enable veterans to build on their existing experience to make them more competitive for permanent positions in professional foreign policy and international development careers.
  4. To produce foreign affairs professionals working throughout U.S. global affairs agencies, the intelligence community, and the private sector, promoting the importance of veteran experience in leadership for diplomacy.
Please review all the sections below to learn about basic qualifications and other requirements to prepare to apply for the next cohort:

Military Service

  • Veterans Innovation Partnership (VIP) Fellowships are open to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans and Transitioning U.S. Military who are honorably discharged, provided they have completed a minimum of two years of time in service or are retired. Separating service members may apply with an official, signed letter providing a schedule date of separating and discharge, and if that date comes before the official start date for each cohort year.
  • 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. Exception for service time extends to six years from a final graduation date, not from military discharge or retirement.
  • U.S. Armed Forces Reservists and National Guard Members are eligible, provided they have completed a minimum of two years of time in service. Please note that Military Leave (ML) as stipulated in the program’s Civil Service (CS) Temporary Excepted Appointment (TA) hiring authority is not available, however acquired Annual Leave (AL) may be used for military duty days, weekend drills and necessary travel time.
  • Veteran status should be confirmable through U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Reserves and guard status must be confirmed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) through official orders or documentation from the associated branch of service. All service branches are welcome to apply to the program, including Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, and there is no age restriction or special needs limitation.

Education

  • Veterans and separating service members must have completed a Master’s degree program or higher in the preferred fields of International Business, International Relations/Affairs, Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Global Affairs, or a related field within two years of the application submission dates.
  • An applicant’s cumulative master’s degree Grade Point Average (GPA) must be 3.2 or above on a 4.0 scale. If applicants went to a foreign university, they must provide a certified letter of GPA equivalent in English signed by a senior official in student records. Official transcripts may be required later and any unofficial transcripts should be included unless otherwise unavailable due to extreme circumstances.
  • Individuals scheduled to graduate within 4-8 weeks of the application closing date may still apply if their official start date occurs after their graduation date. The official graduation date should be highlighted in required documentation during the application process and mentioned during any interview that follows.
  • Degrees outside preferred educational fields are still accepted, however it is suggested that applicants attempt to relate their educational background to current U.S. foreign policy priorities and within the framework of the position descriptions provided in the job announcements.

Selection Criteria

Key components include but are not limited to: Outstanding leadership and life experiences, as well as demonstrated excellence in academic, cross-cultural, and communication skills.

  • This program is highly competitive due to the limited spaces available; therefore, it is recommended that each applicant provide the most comprehensive assessment of skills, leadership qualities, accomplishments and achievements in a limited and to-the-point format.
  • Take advantage of the cover letter to provide more personal influences and points of interest in offices across the agency or in foreign policy more broadly.

Security Clearance

  • Applicants must be able to claim a Secret (S2) or Top Secret (TS) security clearance and pass a suitability review. As hosting agency, the U.S. Department of State (Department) pays for the background investigation and clearance review. However, applicants must cover fingerprinting, document preparation, and mailing costs.
  • While having a previous security clearance can assist and expedite the review process, a new or re-validated clearance that is specific to the fellow’s position is required.
  • Contingent upon successful completion of a security investigation and granting of a clearance, the fellowships will last twelve months from each individual start date. This is considered a Full Time Employee (FTE) position as a one year (365 days) Civil Service (CS) Temporary Excepted Appointment (TA) under the Schedule A hiring authority.

Timing & Structure

Key components include, but are not limited to: Twelve-month full-time employment, beginning in the fall or winter of each year, alongside mentorship and professional development opportunities throughout the year.

  • Each fellow receives a complete CS FTE GS-9 Level Portfolio, which includes assigned work commitments as determined by the position being filled, Foreign Affairs Officer or Program Analyst.
  • Onboarding and orientation occur in waves due to differing personal situations. Most fellows onboard 2-6 months after receiving an official offer letter.
  • Veterans must be available to start working and have completed graduation at least two months after the initial application process has been completed. Regarding current employment, a 2-4 weeks’ notice period is generally given when determining an official start date.
  • 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 automatically. Full time employment slots must be sought out individually.

Duty Location

  • All positions will be in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area (DC) and salaries paid for by central Department funds. The expected duration of the Fellowship will be one year. No fellowships are held outside DC at this time. Lodging, moving costs and travel are not included for relocation to DC. Fellows may travel for work purposes during the year; however, these costs must be covered by the supervising host office along with any overtime.
  • Per program policy, Fellows are allowed a minimum of one rotational opportunity for 60-90 days while staying within the Department. Fellows may move to another bureau and office as long as they remain in DC. This provides exposure to different jobs across the Department. Fellows are charged with arrangement between supervising host office and the accepting office.
  • Fellows will be provided with career development resources and job search support while actively in the program. Pay grade salaries are centrally funded and directly deposited starting three weeks after on boarding but include back pay from day one of orientation.

Compensation & Benefits

  • All Fellows will be hired at the GS-9 level. Most Fellows will receive a GS-9 Step 1 salary for the Washington DC area.

Expectations

  • There are two positions available for submission, Foreign Affairs Officer and Program Analyst. To learn more about duties, roles and responsibilities, search for prior application postings and position descriptions on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website at: https://www.opm.gov/.
  • Interested veterans can apply for one or both job announcements. Applications may close earlier than the indicated closing date if 250 applications are received per individual position description. Do not delay in applying and start preparing as soon as possible.
  • A well-prepared and thorough resume and cover letter should be submitted for each job position description, providing relevant background, experience and accomplishments which relate to each announcement’s prescribed duties, roles and responsibilities. All applicants are expected to be capable of carrying the professional weight of a GS-9-1 or higher CS FTE portfolio with ease and without fail to best represent the program to the rest of the department.
  • Interested candidates may submit applications each year by searching “Veterans Innovation Partnership” on https://www.usajobs.gov/ during the official application time period.
  • Applications are accepted during certain time frames of the year only and any received outside of these dates will not be eligible for consideration.
For the next cohort, the application submission timeframe is projected for the spring 2023 during a specified timeframe over two weeks’ closing on the last day at 11:59pm Eastern Time or when a maximum of 250 are received.

  • Two separate job announcements (one as a Foreign Affairs Officer and one as a Program Analyst) will be posted on USAJOBS.

To apply, veterans must have the following information ready for when job announcements links go live on USAJOBS:

  • A current two-page resume. Use your resume to highlight your education, expertise, achievements and honors, extracurricular activities/community service, language skills, and any leadership experience. The resume should not exceed two pages. Selection criteria includes outstanding leadership and life experiences, as well as demonstrated excellence in academic, cross-cultural, and communication skills. Please provide the most comprehensive assessment of your skills, leadership qualities and achievements in a limited and to-the-point format when applying.
  • A cover letter not to exceed 450 words. In your cover letter, please include your areas of focus (i.e., economics, regional affairs, technology) and indicate your job position preference as Foreign Affairs Officer and/or Program Analyst. This program is highly competitive due to the limited spaces available, therefore we suggest taking this opportunity to discuss your experience and background in more detail, while also indicating your willingness, interests and aspirations. On USAJOBS this is shown as optional, however consider this as a requirement.
  • Declaration of Graduate Degree Grade Point Average (GPA). An official transcript verification may be required later. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order to be credited towards qualifications. If you are scheduled to finish a Master’s Degree by the projected start date, but have not yet graduated the program, provide a Certified Letter of your current GPA with important dates (i.e., date of course completion and graduation), signed by a senior official or formal registrar in student records.
  • All latest educational transcripts. It is recommended to include any available transcripts from your current and/or past educational degrees. It is preferred to have official documents, but unofficial copies will be accepted. Please merge all documents into one for uploading as a PDF, and use a descending order, allowing for highest education to be seen first. All transcripts should be in English or English translation. Official transcripts may be required at a later date.
  • A DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from the United States Armed Forces. This program is for U.S. Veterans and Transitioning Military only, therefore this document must be included (and/or a DD-215, if applicable). If you do not yet have a DD-214 but are scheduled for discharge by the projected program start date, please provide a Certified Letter with a Statement of Credible Service including important dates (i.e., scheduled end date of service).

If applicable, education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

If applicable, provide your Veterans Affairs (VA) Service-Connected Disability Rating Letter. This alerts the U.S. Department of State that the VA has declared you eligible for veteran’s compensation and benefits, to include Veterans Employment Preference at a Federal institution, such as Noncompetitive Eligibility (NCE), 30% or More Disabled, and Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA).

If applicable, your United States Armed Forces Reserves or National Guard official member documentation (i.e., Verification of Military Status). Active reservists and guard members are eligible to apply provided they have two years of time in service. Please confirm your assigned duty station and military point of contact, for confirmation as necessary.

Important items of note:

  • Applications are accepted during certain time frames of the year only and any received outside of these dates will not be eligible for consideration.
  • By applying for cohort eight; Class of 2022, an applicant can anticipate on boarding to occur as early as January, 2022, however this is subject to individual situations. A security clearance most commonly takes between 2-3 months to be adjudicated and in some cases, it has taken up to 6 months or more.
  • Be prepared to check-in monthly by emailing VIPFellowship@state.gov to show you are still interested in the position and then, wait patiently for the ‘clearance was granted’ and tentative offer letter with potential start dates notification from program managers.
  • After being selected into the program, each VIP Fellow receives a Temporary Appointment (TA) for one year as a Civil Service (CS) Full Time Employee (FTE) assigned to the Washington DC Metro Area, which lasts for 365 days from their individual start date. Fellows often arrive on a rolling basis and complete orientation separately.
  • It is not standard operating procedure for the U.S. Department of State to send status updates outside the USAJOBS system alerts. As a next step after applying, please be on guard for direct phone call and/or email interview requests by potential host offices.
  • The timeline as described above and below is subject to change due to delays necessitated by COVID-19 pandemic precautions. We ask that all veterans remain patient and flexible regarding communications.

What happens next?

  • Within 4-6 weeks of applying, select veteran applicants will receive a direct phone call and/or email from an interested U.S. Department of State host office to schedule a one-on-one interview. At this point, the USAJOBS application status will also change to ‘referred’ if a veteran has passed basic qualifications.
  • If an applicant is missing any information, an email will be sent to collect it as soon as possible for completing submission requirements. Disregarding these messages may result in disqualification from the program.
  • A veteran who is selected will receive a ‘temporary appointment letter’ requesting confirmation of acceptance. Upon receipt, human resources will formally initiate the Diplomatic Security clearance process. An offer may be sent one or more times depending on how many offices made the request.
  • Applicants may have a choice of host office and some may only receive one offer. This depends upon the matching process after all initial interviews are conducted.
  • Those who do not receive a direct phone call and/or email notification requesting an interview within approximately 6-8 weeks will remain on standby as matches are made and vacancies are filled.
  • The entire pool of applicants will remain open and available for interviewing and/or matching to fill vacancies and in case a spot becomes available later. The USAJOBS status will not change until this time has passed, all vacancies are filled, and the security clearance process has begun for all individuals selected.
  • Once the application is formally closed, the USAJOBS system will send an alert regarding a change in status. This serves as a regrets letter and may not occur until all vacancies are filled which can take up to three months.
  • Details on start date logistics, ‘reports to’ information, access and credentials, and new employee orientation (virtual or in person) will be provided after security clearance adjudication and as a part of the final offer letter attachment. At this point, Fellows will be assigned a “sponsor” to assist with welcoming and on boarding and will receive a direct email message prior to starting for introductions and coordination.

Any other questions about this process may be sent to: VIPFellowship@state.gov.

What is the structure of this program? Key components include: twelve-month full-time employment, beginning in the fall each year, alongside mentorship and professional development opportunities throughout the year. Each fellow will receive a portfolio with assigned work commitments as a Foreign Affairs Officer or Program Analyst. This differs with regards to the office that hosts the fellow, and is in addition to participating in fellowship activities.

What are the selection criteria? Criteria include: outstanding leadership and life experiences, as well as demonstrated excellence in academic, cross-cultural, and communication skills. This program is highly competitive due to the limited spaces available. Please provide the most comprehensive assessment of your skills, leadership qualities and achievements in a limited and to-the-point format when applying.

What is the minimum GPA? An applicant’s cumulative master’s degree GPA should be 3.2 or above on a 4.0 scale. If applicants went to a foreign university, they must provide a certified letter of GPA equivalent in English signed by a senior official in student records, while it is also recommended to submit official transcripts. Official transcripts may be required at a later time.

What if I am about to graduate, but it is after the submission deadline? Applicants must have graduated by the projected start date of the program. If a student is about to graduate, they must provide a certified letter of the expected graduation date, current GPA and have it signed by a senior official in student records, while it is also recommended to submit official transcripts.

Will I need a security clearance? Participants must receive a Secret or Top-Secret security clearance and pass a suitability review. The hosting agency initiates and pays for the background investigation and clearance review. However, applicants must cover fingerprinting, document preparation, and mailing costs. While having a previous security clearance can assist and expedite the review process, a new or re-validated clearance that is specific to the fellow’s position is required.

What is the duration of the fellowship? Contingent upon successful completion of a security investigation and granting of a clearance, the fellowships will last 12 months from the start date. Most fellows on board 2-6 months after receiving an offer letter.

Where is the fellowship located? All positions will be in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Please note that the cost of relocation will not be covered by the program (i.e. moving and travel costs). Once you have received a security clearance and start date, please reach out to VIPFellowship@state.gov to connect with current fellows and gain assistance for smooth transition.

Will compensation be provided? Fellows are paid as federal employees at the GS-9 level. Salary ranged from $56,233-$73,105 in 2021 (dependent on previous experience) over the twelve months of VIP Fellowship employment. Relocation expenses are not covered. Fellows must provide a clear and concise description of paygrade, salary or equivalent for a higher step at time of offer.

Do I get time off or vacation pay? Fellows will acquire Annual Leave (AL) as they did in the military or prior federal employment (which transfers over), as well as Sick Leave (SL), however Military Leave (ML) does not apply to a one-year temporary appointment, therefore if fellows are Reserves or Guard members, they must use AL for required duty.

Will benefits be provided? Fellows are offered the opportunity to enroll in the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHB). However, the fellowship does not provide life insurance or similar benefits. Housing is also the responsibility of the fellow to obtain. Fellows are eligible to receive Veterans Health Administration Benefits. To enroll, visit https://www.va.gov/health-care/.

What are the options for conversion to a Federal job? The VIP Fellowship is designed to provide experiential learning opportunities and skills that build on a completed Master’s degree. Fellows may pursue careers in the private, as well as public sector, upon completion of the program. This program is not designed to lead to federal employment and does not convey preference in seeking such an appointment, nor does it convey the ability to convert non-competitively to a competitive service federal position. For participants seeking a federal appointment, however, the VIP Fellowship experience may improve their ability to compete for such positions.

Is the fellowship open to all branches of the military, retirees and is there an age restriction? Yes, VIP fellows have represented all five branches of the U.S. military, including retirees and there is no age restriction.

Whom should I contact for questions or to subscribe to the mailing list? For additional questions or to be added to our list for notifications and alerts, email vipfellowship@state.gov. How do I stay up to date? Stay up to date by  following @VIPFellowship on TwitterLinkedIn and Facebook.

For questions or concerns about the program, such as eligibility, qualifications, and processes or to be added to the mailing list, contact vipfellowship@state.gov.

For questions or concerns about veteran’s employment and career opportunities at the U.S. Department of State, contact vets@state.gov.