[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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