The Foreign Service Journal, December 2009

86 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 9 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT I n July, a Family Liaison Office–led selection committee that included representatives from the regional bureaus and the Bureau of Human Resources awarded $197,538 in fel- lowships to spouses and partners of U.S. direct-hire government employ- ees under chief-of-mission authority around the world to further their pro- fessional skills while overseas. Of 195 eligible applicants posted in 91 coun- tries, 120 were awarded fellowships. The fellowships of up to $2,000 each are designed to assist those Eligible Family Member spouses and Members of Household (unmarried partners) who are not in a position to pursue their career paths to maintain, enhance or develop their skills. Quali- fying activities include such things as continuing education, distance learn- ing, professional development, partici- pation in professional conferences and dues for membership in professional organizations. Recipients must fund 25 percent of the cost of the proposed activities, while the fellowship stipend will cover 75 percent of the cost, up to the $2,000 maximum. Travel, transportation, lodg- ing costs and per diem are not reim- bursable under the program. To be eligible, an applicant must be the spouse or MOH partner of a direct-hire U.S. government employee who is available for an overseas post- ing. Although eligible applicants resid- ing in the U.S. may apply, preference is given to those currently posted or assigned overseas. Previous fellowship awardees who meet the eligibility requirements may apply again. The selection committee considers the lack of employment in an appli- cant’s profession at his or her current post, the correlation between the pro- posed activity and an applicant’s pro- fessional development and, where applicable, the connection between the proposed activity and other, similar efforts the applicant has made to main- tain or refresh professional skills. Further, proposals from applicants at historically difficult-to-staff posts and countries where no bilateral work agreement or de facto work arrange- ment is in place receive preference. The FLO Professional Develop- ment Fellowships began in 2006 as a three-year pilot program with support from the Una Chapman Cox Founda- tion. Having proved its value as a sig- nificant contribution to family-mem- ber morale, the program was support- ed by appropriated funds in 2009. Contingent on renewed funding, the 2010-2011 program announcement will be posted on FLO’s Internet and intranet sites in early 2010 (www.state. gov/m/dghr/flo/c25927.htm). ■ — Susan Brady Maitra, Senior Editor FLO P ROFESSIONAL D EVELOPMENT F ELLOWSHIPS