Turn “What If” into Reality.
Breakthrough Discoveries Start with Bold Questions.
Our Innovation Fellowship is an accelerated, highly selective one-year program open to college graduates and military professionals with STEM degrees.
Why apply?
Our Innovation Fellowship is mentorship in action, living and breathing disruptive innovation, risk tolerance, and bold thinking, with access and autonomy to make the biggest bets in an environment that operates at lightning speed. You will have an opportunity to:
- Partner with intellectually audacious colleagues from research labs, the private sector, the military, and other government agencies
- Push the boundaries of science and engineering, ensuring technological superiority and strategic resilience for the warfighter
- Accelerate your career with the benefit of DARPA’s extensive network and access to elite institutions, leading technology companies, start-ups, and DARPA’s own alumni network; it is an unparalleled launchpad for exceptional post-program opportunities
You will experience:
- Education and guidance from leading experts in their respective fields, providing an opportunity to learn directly from our architects of disruption – DARPA program managers (PMs) and other unconventional innovators who redefine the boundaries of national security
- Ideation and collaboration with DARPA's Science and Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) teams to help PMs deliver and shape their programs, profoundly transforming existing battlefields and creating game-changing military technologies to shape future battlefields
- Mentoring from your partner PM to develop compelling proposals, refine research concepts, and lead performer interactions for your independent seedling portfolio
- Managing relationships with top-tier research teams from academia, industry, and government to drive breakthrough technologies for national defense
Eligibility and Qualifications
The Innovation Fellowship is open to college graduates and military professionals with STEM degrees.
Aside from your degree, you must articulate and show us examples of your:
- Unrelenting curiosity and a hunger to support the development of game-changing technology for national security
- Evidence-based technical excellence, independence, and leadership abilities demonstrated on your resume or CV
- Risk tolerance and demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit
- Speed of execution, deep analytical and critical thinking capabilities, and stellar communication skills
Ready to join an organization where failure isn’t feared, and success changes the world? Submit a CV or resume through fellowship@darpa.mil.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and are expected to work on-site in Arlington, Virginia. The ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance is required.
