Franklin Talent Exchange Program (FTEP) by U.S. Department of State 2025

Summary

• Application DeadlineOctober 15, 2024
• Study LevelPostdoctoral Fellowships
• SponsorUS Government
• City to studyWashington
• Eligible CountryUnited States

Table of Content

• Overview
• Benefits
• Requirments
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Programme Overview

The program offers an opportunity for participants to embark in a collaborative two-way exchange program that brings in talented experts from a consortium of private sector partners and sends U.S. Department of State?employees on assignment to private sector partner organizations where assignments strategically align with the U.S. Department of State’s top foreign policy priorities. Read through for the benefit, requirement, application process and the deadline.

Benefits

Participants bring creative and innovative ideas and deep substantive knowledge and experience to the U.S. Department of State. Participants often work in areas of new and emerging concern where the U.S. Department of State lack in-house expertise. On issues where the U.S. Department of State is already working, participants bring years of experience to bear, helping their colleagues to form deeper understanding of the issues. The following examples show both roles.

• An investment banker from a large international bank was instrumental in crafting and launching U.S.-ASEAN Connect, the new U.S. strategic economic framework in Southeast Asia.
• A manager from the NGO community developed a systematic approach to monitor and evaluate international programs to combat trafficking in persons and modern slavery.
• A retired public service executive helped to establish the U.S. Department of State’s office for public-private partnership programs.
• An environmental lawyer worked on policies to protect endangered species in Southeast Asia.
• A Fellow with legislative experience led the development of the U.S. Department of State’s first International Cyberspace Policy Strategy.

WHAT IS LIFE LIKE AS A PARTICIPANT?

From your first day as a participant, you are a member of the U.S. Department of State team. As an “uncompensated employee” you have many of the same privileges and responsibilities as a career employee. You will become familiar with regulations guiding ethics and accountability; you will receive training and orientation on security practices and IT systems. You are eligible to participate in official travel with per diem and receive awards. You will meet with your officemates, establish specific work objectives, and learn to become a valuable, contributing member of the U.S. Department of State.

The participant’s program manager will help in guiding them and answering their questions. Participants are sought after speakers for a variety of audiences. While the program is not a research position per se, participants are permitted to write, speak, and publish in accordance with public affairs guidelines.

The normal length of the program is one year. Occasionally participants do extend for a second year.

Franklin Talent Exchange alumni and the FTEP managers provide periodic updates to the alumni community.

Requirements

Participants must be American citizens, able to get a security clearance, with a minimum five years’ experience that qualifies them as: 

• An expert — a person who is specially qualified by education and experience to perform difficult and challenging tasks in a particular field beyond the usual range of achievement of competent persons in that field. An expert is regarded by other persons in the field as an authority or practitioner of unusual competence and skill in a professional, scientific, technical or other activity.
• A consultant — a person who can provide valuable and pertinent advice generally drawn from a high degree of broad administrative, professional, or technical knowledge or experience. When an agency requires public advisory participation, a consultant also may be a person who is affected by a particular program and can provide useful views from personal experience.

FTEP is not a career-entry vehicle. The program does not lead to employment with the U.S. Department of State.

Application Deadline

October 15, 2024

How To Apply

Are you qualified and interested in this opportunity? Kindly go to US Government on www.state.gov to apply

During the announcement period for the FTEP, the U.S. Department of State will notify the private sector companies in the partnership consortium of the different opportunities the U.S. Department of State identifies by the U.S. Department of State. If the opportunity is aligned with the company’s goals and objectives, the company can then nominate an employee to apply for the program. The announcement will include the qualifications, the applications process, and the deadlines for submission.

Once the announcement closes, FTEP managers will review applications and select a pool of candidates for the program. The program managers will reach out to applicants to inform them of their selection, and to confirm interest and eligibility. Unsuccessful applicants are also informed.

The program managers then circulate the applicant’s applications to prospective bureaus and offices in the U.S. Department of State. The managers of those offices will contact applicants to arrange interviews, typically by phone. If a “match” is made, the next step is applying for a security clearance.

The length of time to process the security clearance varies, but on average takes 3 – 6 months, and sometimes longer. When the security clearance is granted, FTEP managers arrange the “on-boarding” date for the participant to begin his or her one-year program.

Applicants can contact the FTEP managers throughout the application process for guidance and advice.

For more details, kindly visit US D.O.S webpage