The Veterans Innovation Partnership (VIP) Fellowship is a 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 the 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.

This program aims to assist and support US 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.

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.

Learn more at https://careers.state.gov/work/fellowships/vip/.