Government Fellowships

Enabling Science, Technology & Engineering Professionals to Work With and Advise Federal Government Public Policymakers

Since 1973, more than 130 exceptional U.S. IEEE members have worked in Washington as advisors to Members of Congress and federal agencies.

Each year, IEEE-USA sponsors several government fellowships for qualified U.S. IEEE members.  The Fellows — chosen by the IEEE-USA Government Fellows Committee and confirmed by our Board — spend a year living and working in Washington as advisers to the U.S. Congress and to the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Agency for International Development. Known as Congressional Fellowships, Engineering & Diplomacy Fellowships, or Engineering & International Development Fellowships, the fellowship program links science, technology and engineering professionals with the U.S. government, and provides a mechanism for IEEE’s U.S. members to learn firsthand about the public policy process while imparting their knowledge and experience to policymakers.

IEEE-USA maintains its Fellows program as part of its mission to serve the public good, and as an educational program for our members.  Fellows do not provide any services to IEEE-USA, other than periodic reports designed to educate other engineers about the fellowship experience.

Important Note

Applicants for all three types of IEEE-USA Government Fellowships must be American citizens.

Before you apply for a State Department or USAID fellowship, please consider whether or not you think you will be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance. Ability to obtain a security clearance is a prerequisite to working as a State Department or USAID fellow. If a fellow fails to obtain the necessary clearance, the fellowship will be rescinded and all stipend funds, if issued, must be returned to IEEE-USA. If you have any questions about the process, this website provides additional information: https://www.state.gov/security-clearances

Be thoughtful about which fellowship you would prefer or feel you are most suited. While there is no prohibition on applying for all three types of IEEE-USA fellowships, if you apply for more than one, applicants must submit separate applications, one for each fellowship. IEEE-USA will not accept a single application stating that you are interested in all three fellowships.

Be mindful of the fact that the three fellowships are unique and very different from each other. If you are applying for more than one, you must submit separate cover letters, separate application packets, and separate reference letters for each application. Your cover letters, references, and application materials should reflect an understanding of the distinctions between the executive and legislative branch fellowships, and illustrate the experiences and qualifications that might benefit you in each fellowship.

Government Fellows Committee

Mission

The mission of IEEE-USA’s Government Fellows Committee is to develop and maintain an effective government fellowship program to utilize the knowledge and expertise of IEEE’s U.S. members to provide timely advice and assistance to the U.S. government, and to assist the education of the IEEE’s U.S. membership and the public on technology matters relating to public policy. The committee reports to the IEEE-USA Board of Directors through the IEEE-USA Vice President of Government Relations.

Roster

The IEEE-USA President appoints US-based IEEE members to serve individual three (3) year terms. Additionally, representatives of the US Department of State and the US Agency for International Development participate in the selection and interviews of the executive branch fellows.

Government Fellows Committee

Peter Winokur, Washington, DC (Chair)
Emile Loza de Siles, Honolulu, HI
Daniel Moore, Knoxville, TN
Jonathan Rayner, Washington, DC
Benjamin Schmitt, Philadelphia, PA
Yan Zheng, Washington, DC
David Goldston, Washington, DC (Congressional Fellowships Advisor)
Jay Greenberg Eddystone, PA (IEEE Region 2 Liaison)
Erica Wissolik, staff

Key Dates

GFC typically meets twice a year; a teleconference meeting to review applications and select Fellowship finalists, and a regular meeting to interview the finalists and recommend the Fellowship recipients.

• 8 December 2023 – 12PM EST Application deadline for the 2023-2024 fellowship applications
• TBD – Committee teleconference to review applications and select eligible candidates for interviews.
• 5-6 February 2024 – Interviews of Fellows applicants. Depending upon travel ability, interviews may be virtual.
• 5 February 2024 – Annual dinner for Government Fellows Committee and current government fellows