[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 7, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37972-37973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09863]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
15 CFR Part 326
[Docket No. 240226-0059]
RIN 0625-AB24
The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service Pilot Fellowship Program
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
(ITA), Global Markets is issuing regulations implementing the U.S. and
Foreign Commercial Service Pilot Fellowship Program to increase the
level of knowledge and awareness of, and interest in employment with
the United States and Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS) among
students, including students from underserved communities. This Program
is intended to recruit graduate students interested in building a
career with the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service. The Notice of Funding
Opportunity (NOFO) on www.grants.gov shall provide more details
regarding U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service Pilot Fellowship Program
eligibility guidelines, application instructions, and program
requirements.
DATES: This rule is effective on May 6.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wendy Thompson at
[email protected] or 202-754-4075.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service
Pilot Fellowship Program establishes a graduate student fellowship
program to increase the level of knowledge and awareness of, and
interest in employment with the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service among
students, including students from underserved communities. The
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Public Law 117-328, Division B,
Title I, under the appropriation for the International Trade
Administration, authorizes funds ``for the purpose of carrying out a
pilot fellowship program of the United States Commercial Service under
which the Secretary of Commerce may make competitive grants to
appropriate institutions of higher education or students to increase
the level of knowledge and awareness of, and interest in employment
with, that Service among minority students.'' The Act also states that,
``any grants awarded under such program shall be made pursuant to
regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary, which shall require as a
condition of the initial receipt of grant funds, a commitment by
prospective grantees to accept full-time employment in the Global
Markets unit of the International Trade Administration upon the
completion of participation in the program.''
In the Memorandum on Guidance on Promoting Internships and other
Student and Early Career Programs in the Federal Government, dated
January 19, 2023, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released guidance on increasing
opportunities for internships, fellowships, apprenticeships, and other
student and early career programs in the Federal Government, including
paid internship programs. This guidance advances the goals of the
``Strengthening and Empowering the Federal Workforce'' priority in the
President's Management Agenda (PMA) and was issued pursuant to
Executive Order 14035, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
in the Federal Workforce (the DEIA Executive Order).
The purpose of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service Pilot
Fellowship Program is to educate and train graduate students in
International Relations, Economics, Business, Trade or Public Policy,
and International Studies to build a pool of candidates eligible for
the future U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service workforce and ITA
Pathways Program opportunities. ITA will conduct broad outreach to
raise awareness of the Fellowship program, including to Minority
Serving Institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and
Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Indian Tribally Controlled
Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native-Serving Institutions, and
Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions to increase the level of knowledge
and awareness of, and interest in employment with, the U.S. Foreign
[[Page 37973]]
Commercial Service among students from underserved communities.
While in school, Fellows participate in one overseas enrichment
program within the U.S. Department of Commerce and several mentoring
sessions throughout the end of the student's current graduate education
program. After completing their current academic graduate degree
programs, and successfully passing the Foreign Service entry
requirements, Fellows may choose to apply for employment with the U.S.
Department of Commerce Foreign Service as Foreign Commercial Service
Officers or candidates for the ITA Pathways Program. Consideration for
the Fellowship is given to all qualified applicants who demonstrate
outstanding leadership skills and academic achievement. The number of
fellowships awarded is determined by available funding. ITA will
publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on www.grants.gov that
will provide more details regarding U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service
Pilot Fellowship Program eligibility guidelines, application
instructions, and program requirements.
This final rule implements the base parameters of the U.S. and
Foreign Commercial Service Pilot Fellowship Program. The regulations
are consistent with the information provided in the NOFO. Section 326.1
provides a description of the program consistent with the above
description in this preamble. Section 326.2 addresses administration,
noting that the eligibility criteria and the amount of funding will be
determined and announced annually and publicized nationwide. Section
326.2 also provides the core eligibility requirements, including U.S.
citizenship and employment criteria and requirements for Fellows upon
the successful completion of their graduate degree program. Section
326.3 provides that grants are awarded directly to students to be
Fellows. Section 326.4 provides that the Office of Global Talent
Management within the International Trade Administration administers
this program for the Department.
Classification
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2), the provisions of the
Administrative Procedure Act requiring notice of proposed rulemaking
and the 30-day delay in effective date for substantive rules are
inapplicable because this rule pertains to personnel and grants.
This rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of
Executive Order 12866.
This regulation is exempt from the notice and comment provisions of
the APA. Therefore, the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act
(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do not apply. Accordingly, no Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis is required, and none has been prepared.
This rule does not have any collection of information requirements
under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 326
Education, Educational study programs, Federal aid programs, Grant
programs, Scholarships and fellowships, and Students.
0
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the U.S. Department of
Commerce, International Trade Administration amends 15 CFR chapter III
by adding Part 326 to read as follows:
PART 326--U.S. AND FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE PILOT FELLOWSHIP
PROGRAM
Sec.
326.1 What is the Fellowship Program?
326.2 How is the Fellowship Program administered?
326.3 Who can receive a grant?
326.4 Who administers the Program?
Authority: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Pub. L. 117-
328, Division B, Title I.
Sec. 326.1 What is the Fellowship Program?
The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service Pilot Fellowship Program
targets graduate students interested in increasing the level of
knowledge and awareness of and employment with the Foreign Service,
consistent with 22 U.S.C. 3905. The Program develops a source of
trained individuals, from academic disciplines representing the skill
needs of the Department, who are dedicated to representing the United
States' commercial interests abroad.
Sec. 326.2 How is the Fellowship Program administered?
(a) Eligibility. Eligibility criteria will be determined by the
Department of Commerce and publicized nationwide. Fellows must be
United States citizens.
(b) Provisions. The amount awarded to each individual student shall
not exceed $35,000.00 for the total amount of time the student is in
the Program. Continued eligibility for participation is contingent upon
the Fellow's ability to meet the educational requirements set forth
below.
(c) Program requirements. (1) Participation in the Program is
conditional upon successful completion of pre-employment processing
specified by the Department of Commerce, including background
investigation, medical examination, and drug testing.
(2) As a condition of participation, fellows are required to
complete prescribed coursework.
(3) As a condition of participation, foreign travel is required for
all Fellows.
(4) Fellows are required to accept employment, if offered, with the
Department of Commerce U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service upon
successful completion of the Program and, if applicable, Foreign
Service entry requirements.
(5) If offered employment, Fellows must commit to a two-year
service agreement.
(6) Additional Program requirements may be determined annually by
the Department of Commerce and publicized nationwide.
Sec. 326.3 Who can receive a grant?
(a) Grants to students. The Department of Commerce may award a
competitive grant directly to a student for the purpose of increasing
the level of knowledge and awareness of and interest in employment with
the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, consistent with 22 U.S.C. 3905
and employment through ITA Pathways Programs consistent with the
Executive Order No. 13562.
(b) Grants to Institutions of Higher Education. The Department of
Commerce may award a competitive grant to an institution of higher
education as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1001 to administer a program to award
grants to students for the purpose of increasing the level of knowledge
and awareness of and interest in employment with the U.S. and Foreign
Commercial Service, consistent with 22 U.S.C. 3905.
Sec. 326.4 Who administers the Program?
The Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration,
Global Markets, Office of Global Talent Management is responsible for
administering the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service Pilot Fellowship
Program and grants to students and may be contacted for more detailed
information.
Dated: April 29, 2024.
Diane Farrell,
Deputy Under Secretary, International Trade Administration (ITA),
Department of Commerce.
[FR Doc. 2024-09863 Filed 5-6-24; 8:45 am]
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