USAID Science for Development Fellowships (United States)

USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID leads international development and humanitarian efforts to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people progress beyond assistance.

Fellowship Program Goals

• Expanding and improving capacity for the application of science, technology, and innovation across USAID’s development sectors is vital to achieving the Agency’s broad and ambitious global development objectives. The Science for Development Fellowships (SDF) program is designed to enhance and diversify USAID’s S&T workforce through three strategies:
  • Increasing direct application of S&T knowledge and expertise at USAID by engaging diverse cohorts of Science for Development Fellows across the programming of the Agency each year.
  • Strengthening the professional capabilities of participating scientists and engineers to inform, develop, and advance evidence-based practices and policies that improve international development activities and results.
  • Establishing a network of diverse higher education institutions (HEIs), including Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), committed to advancing STEMM education that contributes to creating solutions to global challenges, and supports SDF to leverage the experience and skills of their STEMM graduate students, postdocs, and faculty.

About Program

• Two-Year Commitment
  • SDF provides a two-year immersive experience with expectation for commitment to and completion of the full 24 months. Fellows are assigned to specific USAID offices for the two years. Fellows who complete the two-year period in good standing may have the opportunity to continue for a full third year at USAID as an Advisory Fellow.
• Washington, DC-Based
  • As an immersive S&T workforce augmentation and professional development initiative, SDF is Washington, DC-based. Fellows are assigned to in-person placements with offices at USAID, and all fellows must be located in the DC area (relocation support is provided). Fellows will operate on the schedule of their assigned office; USAID generally operates on a hybrid, three-day in office and two-day remote work week.
• Career Stage
  • The program is generally focused on early- to mid-career scientists and engineers, from those completing a qualifying degree by the start of the fellowship up to approximately 10 years beyond receipt of a qualifying degree.
• International Development Experience
  • Applicants are not required to have prior experience in international development. However, it is important to clarify through the personal statement (and interview if selected as a semi-finalist) genuine interest in applying science and technical skills at USAID and to international development efforts.

Eligibility  Criteria

• Qualifying Disciplines
  • The SDF program is open to individuals who hold a qualifying doctorate degree across a broad range of STEMM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, math, medicine), including social sciences. In addition, individuals who hold a master’s in engineering management (MEng) or a master’s of science (MS) in an engineering discipline are eligible (such as an MS in biomedical engineering, electrical and software engineering, environmental engineering, industrial and systems engineering, material and sustainability engineering, mechanical engineering).
    • Computer and Data Sciences (including artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, cybersecurity, data analytics)
    • Engineering (for example, civil engineering, biomedical engineering, atmospheric sciences, environmental engineering, materials sciences)
    • Interdisciplinary Sciences (such as climate science, environmental science, geography, international relations, oceanography, urban policy or planning)
    • Life Sciences (including agriculture, biology, botany, ecology)
    • Mathematical Sciences (for example, astronomy, pure and applied mathematics, statistics)
    • Physical Sciences (such as chemistry, earth sciences, hydrology, physics)
    • Public Health and Medicine (including dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, veterinary medicine)
    • Social Sciences (for example anthropology, economics, linguistics, political science, psychology, sociology)
• U.S. Citizenship
  • Applicants must hold U.S. Citizenship (permanent residency and green card status does not qualify). SDF welcomes applicants with dual citizenship. It is important to understand that dual citizenship may lead to security clearance delays. Security clearance delays may affect the ability to begin a fellowship placement.
• Security Clearance
  • To begin and remain in the fellowship program, all finalists who are offered and accept a fellowship position must be able to obtain and maintain either a Public Trust background investigation approval (also known as a Facility Access), or a Security Clearance, which is dependent on the level designated for their USAID fellowship host office. Fellowships will begin on October 1, 2024, only after a finalist secures either a designated Public Trust/Facility Clearance or an interim Security Clearance by September 15, 2024. Fellows may not defer if a significant investigation delay is encountered.
• Selective Service Registration (male applicants only)
  • All male fellowship applicants must confirm that they have registered for selective service, as required of male citizens of the U.S. Government. Failure to meet the selective service requirement will result in disqualification from the SDF program.

For more information, visit USAID.