Welcome to the 2024 - 2026 SDF Orientation
USAID is the world's premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID leads international development and humanitarian efforts to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people progress beyond assistance. Learn more about USAID at: www.usaid.gov
USAID established the Science for Development Fellowships as a two-year, immersive career development opportunity for American scientists and engineers who hold STEMM (science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine, including social sciences) doctorate degrees (or master of science in engineering) to work at USAID and apply their knowledge and skills to inform the U.S. government’s international development activities and support their success. A primary aim is to enhance and diversify USAID’s S&T expertise and workforce. Learn more at: usaid-sdf.usmax.com
SDF is managed by the USmax Corporation (USmax) on behalf of USAID. USmax is a SBA Woman-owned Small Business (WOSB).
SDF Orientation
A five-day onboarding and orientation program is conducted in Washington, DC, at the launch of each new class of SDF Fellows that provides foundational awareness and context for engaging in the federal government, strategies for creating a mutually beneficial experience at USAID, and details for successfully navigating the fellowship as an Institutional Support Contractor. The schedule follows a flow of themes and topics for each day, as noted in the table below.
| Date | Theme / Topics |
|---|---|
| Oct. 1 | Employment processes and onboarding, including job expectations, ethics and security, preview of resources, and access to mentoring and professional development; concludes with fellow goal-setting to proactively map a mutually beneficial fellowship plan |
| Oct. 2 | USAID history, mission, structure, priorities; localization and inclusive development |
| Oct. 3 | Understanding policy, federal budget, USAID’s connection to the executive and legislative branches; impact of elections on USAID, government, and fellows |
| Oct. 4 | Science for evidence-informed international development; informing decision-making and action with science; building networks with implementing partners |
| Oct. 7 | Understanding pathways that advance science; fellowship guidance and advice from host offices; a final call to action |