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FASCELL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

2002-2003

Application Deadline: June 15, 2001 (Postmark)

Limited Number of Temporary
Service Appointments (2 years) for
Students, Linguists or Area Experts

With Emphasis in
International Affairs or
Foreign Languages/Area Studies and
Full Professional Knowledge
of Host-Country Languages

In 1986, Congress authorized the Department of State (DOS) to establish a limited number of Fellowship opportunities for service at United States diplomatic or consular missions in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. This authority was expanded in 1990 to offer Fellowships worldwide, and are now available in China. Due to limited funding, the program continues to be restricted to the geographic areas mentioned on the back of this brochure. The purpose of the legislation, which is referred to as the "Fascell Fellowship Act," is to allow Fellows to serve on a short-term basis at United States diplomatic or consular missions in order to obtain first-hand exposure to the culture — including (as appropriate) independent area and/or language study — of those countries selected for participation in this program. Fellowships are intended for, but not necessarily limited to, teachers, scholars, academics and other individuals currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Graduate level program focused on Eastern European, Slavic, or Mandarin languages.  Individuals who have acquired country specific expertise in one or more of the countries listed under participating posts are also eligible. 

Fellows selected for the program will occupy positions in U.S. embassies or consulates, which require a high level of language proficiency.  The majority of the positions are staff support positions, such as: administrative assistant, consular assistant, or GSO (General Services Operations) assistant. Specific positions vary from year to year, as do the number of Fellowships available.

After selection by a specially established Fellowship Board, employment will be offered to Fellows upon successful completion of security and medical clearances.

Eligibility

To be considered for the Fascell Fellowship Program, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

• U.S. citizenship, 21 years of age (at closing date of application deadline).
• Fluency in the language of the country (countries) in which you wish to be considered for a Fellowship appointment. Language competency may be verified by DOS language training/testing staff. (Fluency means the ability to use the language fluently and accurately on all levels pertinent to professional needs).
• Current enrollment in, or completion of, a Graduate or Advanced Degree focused on languages and/or area studies, or related professional experience.
• Ability to obtain DOS Top Secret Clearance and to meet DOS medical standards.

Application Procedures

Applications should be submitted to: 

U. S. Department of State
Attn:  Fascell Fellowship
Recruitment Division, SA-1
2401 E Street, NW, 5th Floor
Washington, DC  20522

Application Deadline:  June 15, 2001

Applications consist of the following (one original and two copies of each item listed below):

• DS 1950 Application for U.S. Department of State Employment (page 6, the Employment Data Form, is optional).
• Resume. Please include honors, awards, special certificates, and licenses; computer skills; and special interests/accomplishments, publications, memberships in professional/honor societies, leadership activities, public speaking, and performance awards.
• Brief statement (no less than 250 words) outlining your reasons for pursuing a Fellowship.
• Official college and university transcripts, including language report, GRE scores (if applicable), and cumulative GPA (Grade Point Average) for each degree received. (Transcripts are required from each institution attended.)
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals who know your academic qualifications and/or your related professional experience. At least one of the recommendation letters must specifically address your language skills for the country or countries in which you wish to work. (In commenting on your language proficiency, the college or university faculty member should address the following criteria: aural comprehension and speaking, reading, and writing abilities.)

Applicants are rated on the above criteria.

Selection and Clearance Process

All qualifying applications are evaluated and selections are made by the Fascell Fellowship Board. Non-selected letters are sent to unsuccessful candidates. Those individuals selected as finalists and alternates will be asked to complete forms providing information necessary to conduct a security clearance investigation. The length of time of the security process may be affected if you, your close relatives, or personal contacts live, or have lived, in the country for which the Fellowship application is made. Fellows selected in 2001 can expect to be appointed in 2002 or 2003 depending on the needs of the program.

Terms of Appointment

Fellowships are granted for a period of 2 years. This period may include training, orientation, and briefings prior to beginning the assignment abroad. Accompanying family members are not eligible for training, but may be included in orientation and/or briefing sessions, if appropriate.

Fellows are given temporary Federal appointments, and are Federal Government employees during this period. Therefore, they are required to adhere to the standards and ethics applicable to Foreign Service personnel, including strict compliance with post policies governing contact with host-country nationals, which vary from one country to another.

Compensation is at the rate of $27,462 per year (equivalent to the FP-07 salary level), paid in 26 equal installments.

U.S. Government-furnished housing will be supplied at no expense.

Health insurance coverage is not included under the Fellowship. Although Fellows will have access to the DOS medical program at post, they will be asked to purchase outside health insurance to provide complete coverage.

Travel and transportation costs to and from post of assignment incidental to the Fellow's and any accompanying family members will be paid by the government. All family members must hold passports consistent with U.S. Government and host-government policies.

Where applicable, Fellows will be entitled to an airfreight shipment, a surface shipment, a consumables shipment, post allowance, and post differential.

Educational allowances payable to dependents of Foreign Service personnel are payable to dependents of Fascell Fellows, if dependents accompany the Fascell Fellow to post.

Participating Posts

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Beijing, China

Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Kiev, Ukraine

Krakow, Poland

Minsk, Belarus

Moscow, St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg, Russia

Tallinn, Estonia

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Vilnius, Lithuania

Yerevan, Armenia

The Department of State is committed to equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment for all without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, disabling condition, political affiliation, marital status, or prior statutory, constitutionally protected activity.