Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of State opened today the fellowship application period for the next round of the Veterans Innovation Partnership (VIP), which aims to build networks to promote foreign affairs career opportunities for veterans. This announcement is made as part of Global Partnerships Week, March 7–13, 2016.

The Veterans Innovation Partnership was launched by Secretary of State John Kerry in October 2013. Managed by the Secretary’s Office of Global Partnerships (S/GP) and the Bureau of Human Resources, it assists with educational opportunities to study international relations, establishes fellowship opportunities at U.S. government foreign affairs agencies, and facilitates international public and private employment opportunities.

Applications will be accepted from Friday, March 11 to Friday, March 25. Complete application packages received by the first cut-off date of Friday, March 18, 2016 will receive first consideration for employment.

VIP fellowships are open to veterans who have recently completed a master’s degree in the preferred fields of International Business, International Relations/Affairs, Public Policy, Public Administration, or a related field. Applicants must apply within two years of graduate degree completion, except for veterans precluded from doing so due to their military service obligation, who will have up to six years after degree completion to apply. Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic developmental program.

The applicants selected for the fellowship will form the third cohort of VIP fellows at the State Department. Additional information and application instructions can be found at vipfellowship.org.