U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service Pilot Fellowship Program

The goals of the fellowship program are to enhance students' understanding of a foreign commercial service career and to provide a pathway to employment with the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade Administration.

Through a competitive process, the International Trade Administration (ITA) will award a limited number of grants to applicants for a U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service Pilot Fellowship Program as defined in the NOFO. The purpose of the program is to increase the level of knowledge and awareness of and interest in employment with the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service.

For individuals: individuals who are U.S. citizens that have been accepted to the U.S. accredited graduate institution to pursue a master's degree in International Relations, Economics, Business, Trade or Public Policy, and International Studies with a cumulative 3.30 GPA may be eligible for an award under this Fellowship program. For appropriate institutions of higher education: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education. Pre-award survey may be required.

Financial assistance is made for a public purpose. The ultimate beneficiary is the public.

B - Fellowship Grants The applicants must provide all funding and related documentation listed in the NOFO in order to apply for a competitive grant. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

A notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) describing the program is available at grants.gov or from the contact listed in "Information Contacts" below. No more than $1,000,000 in federal funds have been authorized for the Pilot Fellowship Program.

The period of performance anticipated for 15 months. The estimated start date will be on or about the signature date of the award. Funds are available as soon as the approved project period begins.

The program does not involve non-Federal state or local government funds, and the state and local governments would not be directly affected by the Federal financial assistance.

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applications must be submitted by due dates issued by the servicing agency and all applications must be done in good faith in order for the application to successfully approved by governmental agency attorneys and the grant office.

For individuals: 1) Importance and/or relevance to the program goals; (2) Technical Merit; (3) Overall qualifications for applicants; and (4) Financial need of student. For appropriate institutions of higher education: (1) Technical Approach; (2) Management Structure and Staffing; (3) Monitoring and Evaluation; (4) Business Review

Applications are required to receive Federal fundings. Grantees must apply by the due date listed in the NOFO and published in www.grants.gov. Application packages must be submitted on time, be complete and meet the minimum requirements stated in the NOFO in order to be considered for funding.