Commissioned Corps BulletinSeptember 20, 2018

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Fellows Program

The United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (Corps) is announcing an exciting opportunity for Corps officers. The Corps is collaborating with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to allow one Corps officer to participate in their quarterly Service Chiefs’ Fellows Program (SCFP). DARPA’s mission is to “prevent technology surprise from negatively affecting U.S. national security and create technology surprise for U.S. adversaries by maintaining the technological superiority of the U.S. military.”

DARPA gives the technology community, both inside and beyond the Defense establishment, a way to reach past the conventional organizational constraints that often limit innovation. DARPA’s SCFP is an intense, fully-funded 90-day Fellows Program with participants from each Service of the Department of Defense (DoD) working together to challenge the status quo in the world of technology to create better options for the future.

Two key elements of DARPA’s SCFP related to public health are cybersecurity and bioterrorism. Healthcare and Public Health Agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services are increasingly facing cybersecurity threats, while the threat of bioterrorism is emerging as a public health problem. Participants of the program will explore new technologies and their capabilities, while interacting with experts and stakeholders with different points of view, to use technology to promote the health and safety of our Nation. The selected Corps officer is expected to participate for the entirety of the Fellows Program and will brief Corps leadership about how the invaluable experience gained from the Fellows Program will help the Corps’ future

Logistical Information

• DARPA covers all travel, lodging, & TDY costs; however, officer’s salary is non-reimbursable.
  • TDY to DARPA in Arlington, VA for 90 days (8 JAN 2019 – 29 MAR 2019)
  • DARPA Funds travel to and from DARPA as well as travel during Fellows Program
  • Fellows are attached to DARPA Defense Travel System
• If coming from outside Washington DC Area, DARPA provides lodging; 1 or 2 (shared common area) bedroom apartments, within walking distance of DARPA available to Fellows outside National Capital Region
• Walking distance to grocery stores, restaurants, DC Metro, and shopping mall
  • Vehicle not needed, but parking available
  • Office space, government computers, and cellphones provided during Fellows Program
• Leave is not granted during Fellows Program, except for emergencies

Minimum Qualifications Needed to Apply

• O-4/O-5 with a minimum of 5 years in the Corps
• Basic Ready
• No Adverse Actions
• Exceptional COERs
• Supervisory Approval (e-mail or letter) for the 90-day Fellows Program
• Secret clearance (Top-Secret preferred)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Letter (maximum 2 pages) explaining why you would be a good fit for the Fellows Program, how you plan to use the skills/knowledge gained to advance the mission of the Corps, and attesting you meet all conditions of service
• Full-length photo in uniform, standing at attention in Khakis and ODUs (Professional photos not required)

Email the above materials and any questions to Zakiya.chambers@hhs.gov with “DAPRA Fellows Program Application” in the Subject line. Submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST Wednesday 3 October 2018.