Application Deadline: November 4, 2024 (11:59pm ET)
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) established the Science for Development Fellowships program (SDF), as a two-year experiential professional development opportunity for American scientists and engineers to work at USAID and apply their expertise and research skills to inform the U.S. government’s international development activities and support their success. The 2025-2027 class of SDF Fellows will begin October 2025.
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 accomplish this through three strategies:
- Increasing direct application of S&T knowledge and expertise at USAID by engaging Science for Development Fellows across the programming of the Agency.
- 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 higher education institutions (HEIs) 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.
Requirements
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 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)
Application Process:
A complete application for a USAID Science for Development Fellowship includes the following components and steps. Applications that do not include all components below will be designated as ineligible.
- Registration with Contact Information
- Eligibility Confirmations
- Applicant Profile Details
- Education History and Qualifying Degree (applicant must request degree verification documentation from university and upload to application by the deadline)
- Experience, Employment, and Professional Record (submission of maximum 5-page Curriculum Vitae)
- Brief Bio (250 word-limit)
- Personal Statement (800-word limit)
- Additional Skills/Languages
- Recommendations (three letters must be submitted directly by designated references via the online SDF application portal)
- Demographic Data (optional)
- Verifications of Commitment and Availability, Conflict of Interest Acknowledgement, Understanding of Fellowship Employment Status, Application Accuracy
- Final Review
- Submit
More Info: USAID Science for Development Fellowships
