State Department opens 2027 FAIT Fellowship applications

The U.S. Department of State and The Washington Center have opened applications for the 2027 Foreign Affairs Information Technology Fellowship, a two-year program that funds IT-related degrees and leads to Foreign Service careers as Diplomatic Technology Officers. Applications are open through Dec. 7, 2026, for U.S. citizens with a minimum 3.2 GPA.

Why it matters: - The FAIT Fellowship is a recruitment pipeline into the Foreign Service for people pursuing technology careers. - The program can cover up to $43,500 a year for an IT-related bachelor’s or master’s degree. - Fellows also get summer internships, stipend support, professional development and mentoring. - Successful fellows can enter the Foreign Service as Diplomatic Technology Officers.

What happened: - The U.S. Department of State and The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars opened the 2027 application cycle for the Foreign Affairs Information Technology Fellowship on Oct. 15, 2026. - The application window runs through Dec. 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST. - The fellowship is funded by the State Department and administered by The Washington Center.

The details: - The FAIT Fellowship is a merit- and needs-based recruitment program. - The program offers two years of academic funding for up to two years of a bachelor’s degree program or a two-year master’s degree program. - Fellows receive two summer internships with stipend support. - The fellowship is open to both undergraduate and graduate applicants. - Eligibility for the 2027 cohort requires U.S. citizenship. - Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. - Additional eligibility rules and the full timeline are posted at FAITFellowship.org. - TWC president Kim Churches said the organization is honored to partner with the State Department on the program’s 10th cohort.

Between the lines: - The fellowship is designed to pull more technology talent into U.S. diplomacy at a time when digital expertise is central to foreign affairs work. - The two-year cohort model suggests the State Department is building a longer-term hiring path, not just offering short-term training.

What's next: - Applicants can submit materials until the Dec. 7 deadline. - Selected fellows will complete academic funding, internships and mentoring before entering the Foreign Service if they meet program and entry requirements. - The 10th cohort will continue the fellowship’s role as a direct route into diplomatic technology jobs.

The bottom line: - The FAIT Fellowship offers funded IT education and a potential fast track into the State Department’s technology workforce.