DFP is a special hiring program the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) uses to diversify their workforce. FWS measures DFP’s success by how well they attract students to a summer Fellowship and convert them to full-time, permanent positions. Their goal is to hire all Fellows into permanent employment.
The DFP is for students interested in conservation careers and positions that support the FWS mission to work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. In prior years, positions included work on species conservation planning, field surveys and monitoring for species, landscape-scale conservation partnerships, environmental law and policy, education and outreach, community engagement, digital communications, and other areas that support FWS’ mission.
Selected students participate in a paid 12-week summer Fellowship program with a week-long orientation and 11 weeks of 40-hour work in remote or in-person positions, as designated in each position description. Upon successful completion of the Fellowship program, along with degree conferral, participants may be directly hired or appointed to full-time, permanent positions without competition.

How does it benefit you?

• $680 weekly stipend for 12 weeks of full-time work
• Housing or housing stipend provided for some positions
• Travel expenses to/from the FWS’ National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV for a 1-week orientation
• Travel expenses to/from in-person positions
• Duty-related travel for some remote and in-person positions
• Option for health insurance coverage throughout the internship term (12 weeks)
• Hands-on professional experience in conservation
• 1 to 2 weeks of developmental experiences during the 11-week Fellowship, including networking and learning about future employment opportunities
• Career mentors assigned to each Fellow throughout the summer and often beyond
• Fellows may be eligible for direct hire authority after successfully completing their fellowship and degree requirements 

Are you eligible?

• Current students: undergraduate rising seniors, undergraduate seniors, or enrolled or current graduate students 
  • Students graduating in May 2023 or June 2023 are ineligible to participate in DFP unless they provide verification that they have been accepted for enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program by February 1, 2023.
• U.S. Citizen or National
• Age 17 or older
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Available for 12 consecutive weeks during summer 2023
• Able to pass a background check
• Male students born after 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service

Application Process – To apply click here. 

Check out the amazing award opportunity!

$10,000 awards for rising Black science students from Cell Press. Awards given to those in life, health, earth and environmental, data and physical sciences. Working to support motivated rising young Black scientists. 

For undergrad, graduate, or postdoctoral levels.

​Application due November 11, 2022.

Clink the link to check out more: www.cell.com/diversity/awards