DARPA Unveils New Program to Recruit Early Career Scientists, Engineers
A new Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) effort aims to recruit standout scientists and engineers beginning their careers for a two-year position at the agency. The DARPA Innovation Fellowship Program will select fellows to develop and manage a portfolio of high-impact, exploratory research efforts to help identify breakthrough technologies for the Department of Defense.
“During their two years at DARPA, the fellows will push the limits of existing technology through rapid exploration and analysis of a high volume of promising new ideas,” said DARPA Director Stefanie Tompkins, who announced the program Wednesday, Aug. 31, during the inaugural DARPA Forward event on the campus of Colorado State University. “Projects will focus on answering high-risk/high-reward ‘what if?’ questions and assessing the impact of further investment on problems of importance to the Department of Defense. We see these fellowships as a great way for the nation’s future scientific thought leaders to have the opportunity to make extensive connections across an extraordinarily rich, technologically focused network that includes DARPA program managers and the DARPA performer community.”
DARPA’s Innovation Fellowship is a salaried position at the DARPA building in Arlington, Virginia. Fellows will work with DARPA program managers as well as the university, industry, and non-profit performers who work on DARPA-funded research. Fellows will be part of the Defense Sciences Office; however, the fellows will work across disciplines represented in all DARPA technical offices. More information on the office focus areas can be found at DARPA Offices.
Recent Ph.D. graduates (within five years of receiving a doctorate) and active-duty military with STEM degrees may apply to become a DARPA Innovation Fellow. In exceptional cases, DARPA may consider bachelor- or master’s-level candidates with STEM degrees. As DARPA is part of the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. citizenship is required for the fellowship, and selected candidates must successfully complete a background investigation.
To learn more, visit the Innovation Fellowship website. Interested applicants may submit a resume to fellowship@darpa.mil. The initial class of DARPA Innovation Fellows is expected to start in January 2023, with additional classes starting every six months.
The DARPA Innovation Fellowship is in addition to and complements existing programs such as the DARPA Service Chief Fellows and Young Faculty Award programs.
What is the DARPA Innovation Fellowship?
The DARPA Innovation Fellowship is a two-year position at DARPA for early career scientists and engineers. The fellows will develop and manage a portfolio of high-impact, exploratory efforts to identify breakthrough technologies for the Department of Defense.
Why become a DARPA Innovation Fellow?
Fellows will push the limits of existing technology through the rapid exploration of a high volume of promising new ideas focused on answering high risk/high reward “what if?” questions and assessing the impact of further investment.
Fellows will also have the opportunity to work with DARPA program managers as well as the university, industry, and non-profit performers who work on DARPA-funded research. Being a DARPA Innovation Fellow is a great way to begin a career in the sciences. DARPA Innovation Fellows will have the opportunity to make extensive connections across an extraordinarily rich, technologically-focused network. The fellowship is an in-person salaried position at DARPA in Arlington, Virginia. Fellows will be part of the Defense Sciences Office; however, the fellows will work across disciplines represented in all DARPA technical offices. More information on the office focus areas can be found at DARPA Offices.
Who may apply to become a DARPA Innovation Fellow?
Recent Ph.D. graduates (within five years of receiving a doctorate) and active-duty military with STEM degrees may apply to become a DARPA Innovation Fellow. In exceptional cases, DARPA may consider bachelor- or master’s-level candidates with STEM degrees. As DARPA is part of the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. citizenship is required for the fellowship, and selected candidates must successfully complete a background investigation.
How to apply to become a DARPA Innovation Fellow?
To begin the application process, submit a cover letter describing your background and interest in the program and resume to fellowship@darpa.mil. The initial class of DARPA Innovation Fellows is expected to start in January 2023, with additional classes starting every six months.