Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship

Who Can Apply: US Citizens – Sophomores, Seniors, or recent graduates – Must be seeking to enter junior year of undergraduate degree program or first semester of graduate degree program in fall 2025 for a two-year program at a U.S.-based, accredited institution – minimum GPA of 3.2 required – IT-Related Majors

IMPORTANT: Members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial need are encouraged to apply.

Description: If you want to use your tech skills to make a difference, see the world, experience diverse cultures, and shape the future of diplomatic technology the Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship is the opportunity of a lifetime. 

Funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by The Washington Center, this two-year Fellowship program is a path to a career in the Foreign Service by providing academic funding for an IT-related degree, internships, professional development, and mentorship – culminating in an appointment in the Foreign Service as a Diplomatic Technology Officer (DTO).

As one of several high-profile U.S. Department of State diversity recruitment programs, the Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship seeks to attract top technology talent to the Foreign Service that reflects the diversity of the United States. Women, members of minority groups underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and those with financial need, are encouraged to apply.

Program Preferences: The FAIT Fellowship is for students who want to pursue an IT-related undergraduate or graduate degree (such as computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, computer engineering, IT services administration, and computer systems networking and more), and a career in the Foreign Service.

For the undergraduate fellowship:

• Community college students in an associate degree program must be seeking admission to enter a full-time, IT-related bachelor’s degree program in fall 2025 AND on a timeline to graduate in spring 2027 after completing four full-time semesters.
• Four-year college/university students must be enrolled full-time in an IT-related bachelor’s degree program AND on a timeline to graduate in spring 2027 after completing four full-time semesters starting in fall 2025.
• Students enrolled in an accelerated bachelor’s/master’s IT-related degree program must be on a timeline to graduate in spring 2027 after completing four full-time semesters starting in fall 2025.

For the graduate fellowship:

• Individuals must be seeking admission to enter a full-time, IT-related master’s degree in fall 2025 AND be on a timeline to graduate in spring 2027 after completing four full-time semesters.

Service Obligation: Each FAIT Fellow who completes the two-year fellowship program is committed to a minimum of five years of service in an appointment as a Diplomatic Technology Officer. Candidates who do not successfully complete the FAIT Fellowship Program and the subsequent five-year service obligation may be subject to a reimbursement obligation.