Upon placement, each Fellow will be required to apply to a level of security clearance needed for their assignment. Failure to obtain clearance within a reasonable time frame may result in withdrawal of the fellowship offer. Click here for more information about the security clearance process.

The Jefferson Science Fellowship (JSF) is a collaborative effort between the U.S. academic community and the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); therefore, financial and institutional support for the fellowship is shared among these partners.

• The fellowship year is scheduled to begin in mid-August for a 12-month assignment to an office in the Department of State or USAID. Individual start dates may vary due to security clearance timelines.
• Placement within a home office is based on identified needs of the Department of State, USAID, and the preferences of the finalist through a mutual selection process.
  
• A Fellow’s home institution will be expected to execute an agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) acknowledging institutional support for the individual to be selected as a Fellow.
• A Fellow’s home institution is expected to maintain salary, benefits, rights, and privileges of their academic position during the 12-month assignment to the U.S. Department of State or USAID.
• A Fellow from outside the Washington, DC metro area will be eligible for reimbursement of select local living expenses in the Washington, DC metro area up to a fixed amount over the 12-month period (approximately $50,000). If a Fellow is already located in the Washington, DC metro area they are not eligible to claim reimbursement for local expenses.
• A Fellow can request host office approved travel and training. Some offices have dedicated funding for Fellows to undertake approved travel and training.
• A Fellow will design and deliver a lecture as a part of the JSF Distinguished Lecture Series.
• A Fellow will complete a final report at the end of their fellowship to summarize accomplishments, benefits of the fellowship, future plans, and recommendations.
• Following the fellowship year, the Fellow will be expected return to their academic career but can be available to the U.S. government for short-term projects.