Professional Development Fellowship Program (PDF) 2009
The deadline for applications for the 2009 FLO Professional Development Fellowships was Friday, May 8, 2009. The 2009-10 Program is now closed. FLO received 195 applications from family members assigned to or residing at 91 overseas posts. The Selection Committee, comprised of bureau, Overseas Employment and FLO representatives, convened in mid to late June and selections will be announced on or about July 1. Contingent on funding, the 2010-2011 program announcement will be posted on FLO’s internet and intranet sites in early 2010.
About the PDF Program
The FLO Professional Development Fellowship program is open to spouses and member of household partners of direct hire US Government employees under Chief of Mission Authority. This program is designed to assist those Eligible Family Member (EFM) spouses and member of household (MOH) unmarried partners who are not in a position to pursue their career paths overseas to maintain, enhance, and/or develop their professional skills.
Fellowships of up to $2,000 will be granted on a reimbursable basis for enrichment activities. Selected applicants must fund 25% of the cost of the proposed activities while the Fellowship stipend will cover the additional 75% of the cost up to the $2,000 maximum. Activities can include, but are not limited to, continuing education, distance learning, professional development, participation in professional conferences, and dues for membership in professional organizations.
Family members should note the program changes as outlined in paragraph 2.
PROGRAM CHANGES
Previously this program was made possible through the generosity of the Una Chapman Cox Foundation. Historically, the Foundation funds pilot programs for up to three years, after which time they rely on the success of the program to justify and generate institutional funding. Such is the case with the 2009 fellowships for which FLO has obtained appropriated funds. As a result, in order to comply with federal regulations, reimbursement for start-up business costs will not be considered.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be the spouse or member of household partner of a direct-hire US Government employee who is available for an overseas posting. Overseas this includes EFM spouses and MOH partners of a direct-hire US Government employee or uniformed military service member under Chief of Mission authority. While eligible applicants residing in the US may apply, preference will be given to those eligible applicants currently posted or assigned overseas (see Selection Criteria, paragraph 7). Previous fellowship awardees who meet the eligibility requirements may apply again.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Applicants should submit a completed application form, which can be found here.
Applications must contain a one-to-two sentence synopsis followed by a detailed description of the proposed professional development program of activities. The program should be directly related to the applicant’s professional interests and the proposal must explain how the activities will enhance the applicant’s skills or future employment potential. As noted above, proposals may include a wide-range of activities. Proposals should provide a detailed breakdown of the expenses involved and give an indication of how the stipend would be used. Applications should be limited to two (2) pages (see application form).
All applications received will be acknowledged by email within three business days of receipt. Unacknowledged applications will not be considered.
REIMBURSED COSTS
Applicants should be aware that,if selected, the Fellowship will reimburse 75% of the proposed cost up to $2000 and the applicant will be responsible for 25% of the proposed cost. Travel, transportation, lodging costs, per diem are not reimbursable under this program.
Examples of Fellowship Awards and Travel Expenses
Example 1
Proposal to enroll in Special Education Certification Training
Program Expenses excluding travel and lodging: $1600
Travel and lodging expenses: $ 400
Total expenses: $2000
25% of Total expenses $ 500
Self-funded component of proposal $ 500
Travel and lodging expenses are included in the total project expenses and the recipient will contribute 25% of the total cost of $2000. The Fellowship will pay $1500. No Fellowship funds may be used for travel or lodging.
Example 2
Proposal to Attend Corporate Technology Conference in London
Program Expenses excluding travel and lodging: $ 600
Travel and lodging expenses: $1800
Total expenses: $2400
25% of Total expenses $ 600
Self-funded component of proposal $1800
Since the travel and lodging expenses exceed the 25% minimum that the recipient is required to contribute and these expenses are not permitted under the Fellowship's guidelines, the recipient must pay $1800. The Fellowship will pay $600.
Example 3
Proposal to Enroll in Distance Learning Program at The University of Phoenix
Program Expenses excluding travel and lodging: $3000
Travel and lodging expenses: $ 0
Total expenses: $3000
25% of Total expenses $ 750
Self-funded component of proposal $1000
No travel expenses are included in the total project expenses. The Fellowship will pay a maximum of $2000; therefore, the recipient is responsible for the balance of $1,000.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee chaired by the Family Liaison Office (FLO) and will include representatives from the geographic bureaus.
SELECTION CRITERIA
In selecting grantees, the Selection Committee will consider the following factors:
a. Unavailability of employment options in the applicant's profession at her/his current post of assignment.
b. Correlation between the proposed activity and professional development of the applicant.
c. Where applicable, a connection between the proposed activity and other effort(s) on the part of the applicant
to maintain/refresh her/his professional skills (i.e. if the proposal is part of a larger professional development
plan).
Proposals from applicants residing at Historically Difficult to Staff (HDS) posts will receive preference as will proposals from posts where no Bilateral Work Agreement or de facto work arrangement is in place.
A list of HDS posts follows at the end of this cable; the link to the bilateral and de facto list follows:
http://www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo/c24338.htm
PROJECT COMPLETION
Successful applicants will be expected to complete their proposed professional development program within 12 months of selection notification. Fellowship recipients will be required to submit a Project Report describing program activities and accomplishments as well as a Financial Report providing a detailed budget of the project. Those selected can submit receipts for qualifying expenses incurred at any time during the activity but not later than thirty days after project completion. Fellowship recipients are required to commence and complete the activity during the Fellowship program year, i.e., August 2009-August 2010. There will be no extensions and no exceptions to this requirement.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Proposals are due in M/DGHR/FLO no later than May 8, 2009.
Proposals can be submitted as follows:
- faxed to M/DGHR/FLO Attn: FLO Fellowship at (202) 647-1670
- emailed to FLOAskFellowship@state.gov
- mailed or hand carried to M/DGHR/FLO, Department of State, 2201 C ST, NW, Room 1239 HST, Washington, DC 20520
Selectees will be notified on or about June 30, 2009. The program will run for one year starting from the approximate signing date of the fellowship grant agreement.
POINTS OF CONTACT
For additional information, email FLOASKFellowship@state.gov or call (202)647-1076.
HISTORICALLY DIFFICULT TO STAFF (HDS) POSTS
EAP Posts
Bandar Seri Begawan, Dili, Guangzhou, Kolonia, Majuro, Naha, Port Moresby, Seoul, Shenyang
EUR Posts
Banja Luka, Chisinau, Minsk, Podgorica,
Pristina, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg, Yerevan
AF Posts
Abidjan, Abuja, Asmara, Bamako, Bangui, Banjul,
Brazzaville, Bujumbura, Conakry, Cotonou, Djibouti City, Douala,
Freetown, Khartoum, Kigali, Kinshasa, Lagos, Libreville,
Lilongwe, Lome, Luanda, Malabo,
Monrovia, Ndjamena, Niamey, Nouakchott,
Ouagadougou, Praia, Yaounde
WHA Posts
Cuidad Juarez, Georgetown, Hermosillo, Kingston, Nogales, Paramaribo, Port Au Prince
NEA Posts
Amman, Baghdad, Jeddah, Jerusalem, Riyadh, Sanaa
SCA Posts
Ashgabat, Astana, Dhaka,
Dushanbe, Islamabad, Kabul, Kolkata, Lahore,
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