Doctoral-Level Scientists/Master’s in Engineering

USAID Science for Development Fellowships

Become a catalyst for change as a USAID Science for Development Fellow (SDF) and impact USAID’s mission to advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

Contribute your doctorate in any STEMM discipline, including social sciences, or your master’s degree in engineering, in finding innovative and creative solutions to development challenges USAID faces worldwide. Your expertise will contribute to saving lives, reducing poverty, strengthening democratic governance, and helping people progress beyond assistance.

Learn how to transform your research skills and gain experience beyond academia, or a research lab. Discover this two-year immersive, professional development and public service opportunity.

To qualify, you must be:

• A U.S. citizen
• Living in or willing to relocate to Washington, DC
• In receipt of a qualifying degree by January 2, 2026 or up to 10 years beyond receipt of it
• Committed to a two-year immersive professional development experience

In return for your contributions to this public service fellowship, you will receive:

• Competitive Salary: Please visit https://usaid-sdf.usmax.com for details found under the FAQs.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Includes medical, dental, life insurance, PTO, paid sick leave, monthly metro subsidy, retirement plan, and professional development and training funds.
• Professional Development: Direct exposure to policymaking, federal decision-making, skill-building training, mentoring, and expansion of professional contracts and networks, and more!

Applications for the ’25-’27 fellowships will open in July 2025.

Visit our website to learn more, meet our current fellows, and sign up to join our talent network.

Contact us with specific questions.

U.S. citizenship is required.