Service Chiefs Fellows Program

The DARPA Service Chiefs Fellows Program (SCFP) was established to immerse outstanding military officers and government civilians into imaginative and innovative, fast-paced science and technology research. This three-month fellowship provides participants with insight into cutting-edge technology while potentially facilitating the development of future DARPA technologies.

Fellows from each Service have the opportunity to dive deeply into specific technology development in areas of interest to them and to their respective Service, as well as a chance to understand the breadth of DARPA research. This introduction to the DARPA innovation process allows Fellows to gain valuable research experience and return to the field with an appreciation for the Agency’s role of supporting DoD missions by preventing and creating strategic and technological surprise.

Upon completion of their assignment to SCFP, Fellows serve as informal liaisons between DARPA and the Services/Federal Agencies due in large part to the close relationships forged during the Fellowship program and the experiential understanding of DARPA's technology development process.

2025 Fellowship Dates

• 07 January - 04 April 2025: Application deadline 02 September 2024

• 08 April - 03 July 2025: Application deadline 02 December 2024

• 08 July - 26 September 2025: Application deadline 03 March 2025

• 30 September - 12 December 2025: Application deadline 02 June 2025

** Applications are open NOW for all CY 2025 Fellowship dates **

Eligibility
 
This opportunity is open to O-4 and O-5 Active Duty, FTS, and Reserve (if separately activated at the time of the fellowship and released by command to participate) Officers.  O-3’s that will promote to O-4 prior to the fellowship dates are eligible to apply. Members MUST be available for the entire period.
 
Minimum security clearance required for this opportunity is secret, with a Top Secret clearance being strongly preferred.
 
Eligible Designators:

• 1110, 1120, 1130, 1140, 1300, 1310, 1320, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 5100

 
Applications for the DARPA SCFP consist of the following items:

• Biography

• Curriculum Vitae

• Command Endorsement for selected cohort(s). Place desired cohorts in priority order.

• A personal statement that specifically addresses the reason for your application to the program, to include how the program fits into your career goals as well as your expectations.

• Last 3 Fitness Reports.

To apply, please email your complete application to pers-440_submit.fct@navy.mil. Your command endorsement must state that your command is willing to make you available for the entire period of the convening.

Selection

Two applicants will be selected to participate in each quarterly Fellowship. If you are selected, the DARPA SCFP administrative team will reach out to you approximately 60 days prior to the start of your Fellowship to provide you with onboarding paperwork and procedures.
 
More details about the program can be found at: https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/for-government-and-Military/service-chiefs.  The website also highlights some of the current programs that members will have the opportunity to work on.
 
For program application questions, please contact LCDR Mike Watrol, PERS-443, at 901-874-4602.