Students interested in technology and a career in the U.S. Foreign Service can apply for the FAIT Fellowship 2027. The program provides academic funding, internships, and professional development while preparing selected fellows for careers as Diplomatic Technology Officers.

The Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship recruits outstanding American talent to defend, promote, and modernize U.S. diplomatic infrastructure overseas. However, managed by the U.S. Department of State, this high-impact program produces a world-class corps of Foreign Service Diplomatic Technology Officers dedicated to defending American interests abroad.
FAIT Fellowship Overview
The Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by The Washington Center. It is a two-year fellowship for talented students pursuing IT-related undergraduate or graduate degrees at U.S.-based accredited institutions.
Furthermore, the program combines financial support with internships, professional development, and a pathway into the Foreign Service, and for the 2027 cohort, applications open October 15, 2026, and close December 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
FAIT Fellowship Benefits
FAIT Fellows can receive:
- Up to US$43,500 per year for two years in academic funding.
- Tuition support.
- Room and board support.
- Funding for books and mandatory fees.
- Some travel expenses.
- Stipends for summer internship experiences.
- Housing and travel allowances for the internships.
- A 10-week domestic internship in Washington, D.C.
- A second summer internship at a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas.
- Professional-development opportunities.
- Mentorship.
- A potential appointment as a Foreign Service Diplomatic Technology Officer after completing the fellowship and State Department entry requirements.
FAIT Fellowship 2027 Eligibility Criteria
For the 2027 cohort, applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be enrolled or planning to enrol full-time in an IT-related degree at a U.S.-based accredited institution.
- Meet the required 2027-2029 graduation timeline.
- Have a minimum cumulative 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Be able to participate in the required summer internships.
- Be able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearances and meet suitability and medical requirements.
- Be prepared to enter the Foreign Service as a Diplomatic Technology Officer and accept the required five-year commitment after successful completion of the program and entry requirements.
However, eligible IT-related degrees can include computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, computer engineering, IT services administration, and computer systems networking.
How to Apply for the FAIT Fellowship 2027
Here are the steps for the program application:
- Check the complete 2027 eligibility requirements.
- Confirm that you are a U.S. citizen.
- Confirm that your degree is IT-related and that your graduation timeline matches the fellowship requirements.
- Make sure you meet the minimum GPA requirement.
- Prepare your academic and professional application materials.
- Complete the FAIT Fellowship application when the portal opens.
- Submit your application before December 7, 2026.
- If selected as a finalist, participate in the interview and selection process.
- Attend the required orientation and internships if selected.
FAIT Fellowship 2027 Deadline
Applications for the FAIT Fellowship 2027 cohort are accepted from October 15 to December 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
FAIT Fellowship 2027 – Official Website
FAQs
Can international students apply?
No, applicants must be U.S. citizens.
How much funding does FAIT provide?
The current program information states up to US$43,500 annually for two years.
What degrees are eligible?
IT-related degrees such as computer science, cybersecurity, information technology, and computer engineering can qualify.
Is there an internship?
Yes, fellows participate in a domestic internship and an overseas internship.
What happens after the fellowship?
Successful fellows who satisfy the fellowship and Foreign Service entry requirements receive an appointment as Diplomatic Technology Officers and commit to at least five years in the Foreign Service.
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