The *2026 William D. Clarke, Sr. Diplomatic Security Fellowship* is a funding opportunity announced by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Human Resources, specifically the Bureau of Global Talent Management, Office of Talent Acquisition (GTM/TAC). This fellowship program is intended to further the Department of State’s diversity and talent acquisition goals by recruiting and supporting individuals to serve as Diplomatic Security Special Agents.

The opportunity falls under the category of education with a discretionary funding mechanism through a cooperative agreement. The program will provide a single award of $1,500,000, with no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The funding is targeted to nonprofit organizations that hold 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, excluding institutions of higher education. Eligible applicants must demonstrate the capacity to handle programmatic, financial, and administrative responsibilities associated with the fellowship.

The William D. Clarke, Sr. Diplomatic Security Fellowship focuses on advancing the recruitment of diverse and talented individuals who can serve in diplomatic security roles, which are vital to U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives. The fellowship seeks to strengthen the pipeline for Diplomatic Security Special Agents by supporting candidates through tailored education and training programs that align with the Department’s mission.

The selected recipient organization will be responsible for managing the fellowship program, including outreach, candidate selection, training coordination, and administrative oversight. The programmatic approach must align with the Department of State’s emphasis on increasing workforce diversity and ensuring equitable access to opportunities.

The application period for this opportunity opens on December 9, 2024, and closes on December 23, 2024, with a strict submission deadline of 5:00 PM local time. Proposals must adhere to the application guidelines provided in the full announcement and demonstrate a clear strategy for program implementation. The grantor contact for this funding opportunity is Karen Ritter, who can provide assistance with accessing the full funding announcement.

For additional details, applicants are directed to the link to the full announcement on MyGrants, where complete instructions and submission requirements can be found. Interested organizations are encouraged to review the opportunity carefully and ensure compliance with all outlined eligibility and programmatic requirements before submission.