Get Your IT Degree Funded: Launch a Career in U.S. Diplomacy
Overview
The Foreign Affairs Information Technology Fellowship 2027 is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by The Washington Center. The programme prepares technology professionals for careers supporting American diplomatic operations as Diplomatic Technology Officers. Participants combine academic studies with practical experience, professional development, and mentorship.
What you get
Selected fellows receive up to $43,500 annually for two years to support eligible academic expenses such as tuition, room and board, books, mandatory fees, and certain travel expenses. The fellowship also includes two 10-week summer internships. The first is a domestic placement at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., and the second is an overseas placement at a U.S. embassy or consulate, supported by stipends, housing, and travel allowances under applicable conditions.
Who can apply
Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application. Candidates must be enrolled in or planning to enter a full-time IT-related bachelor's or master's degree programme at an accredited institution based in the United States, covering disciplines such as information technology, computer science, cybersecurity, computer engineering, and computer systems networking. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale and be on track to complete their qualifying degrees in spring 2029 after four full-time semesters beginning in fall 2027. Candidates must also be able to obtain a Top Secret security clearance, pass suitability checks, meet medical standards, pass the Foreign Service Specialist Assessment before graduation, and agree to a five-year Foreign Service commitment.
How to apply
Candidates must review the eligibility requirements and complete the online application through The Washington Center's application portal. Applicants need to prepare proof of U.S. citizenship, unofficial university transcripts, a résumé of no more than two pages, a personal statement of up to 750 words, financial aid documentation, a FAFSA Submission Summary, a statement of financial need, and one recommendation letter before submitting the application.
Key dates
Applications for the 2027 cohort opened on October 15, 2026, and close on December 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Finalist notifications and interviews are expected in January 2027. The first summer internship takes place in 2027, followed by the overseas internship in summer 2028. Graduation is anticipated in spring 2029, with Foreign Service entry expected in September 2029.