About FDA
Frequently Asked Questions
General Program Information
1. Can you provide a brief overview of the Commissioner’s Fellowship Program?
Answer: The Fellowship combines didactic training and a mentored regulatory science research project. For more information please visit the FDA Commissioner's Fellowship Program website.
2. How long is the Commissioner’s Fellowship Program?
Answer: The Commissioner’s Fellowship is a two-year program. Fellows are hired as temporary FDA employees whose appointment cannot exceed two years.
3. Is it a full-time program?
Answer: Yes, this is a full-time program.
4. What is the start date?
Answer: Each class of Fellows will start in October of each year. Please refer to the key dates section for the actual date.
5. Can an applicant be offered a Fellowship, but defer for a year?
Answer: No
6. What are the locations for the Fellowship Program?
Answer: Most of the Fellows will be located at the FDA’s new facilities in White Oak, Maryland. Other Fellows will be placed at FDA campuses in Rockville, College Park, or Laurel, Maryland. Fellows working on projects at the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) will work in Jefferson, Arkansas. The specific location for each project is posted with the description.
7. What is the potential for being hired at the FDA after the Fellowship?
Answer: The purpose of this Fellowship is to provide an opportunity for the best and the brightest to learn about FDA regulatory science. The FDA expects to retain many Fellows from each class, however, there are no guaranteed positions. Fellows not remaining with the FDA will be well-qualified for employment in industry or academia where the knowledge and perspective they gained at FDA will prove invaluable.
8. Can Preceptors in addition to those posted on the website accept Commissioner’s Fellows?
Answer: No, only those Preceptors found on this website are eligible to receive a Commissioner’s Fellow.
9. Once selected, can a Fellow change Preceptors?
Answer: No
10. Can I work from home?
Answer: The FDA has a Flexible Workplace Arrangements Program (FWAP) that allows employees to work from home for a day or two each week. Employees need approval to work from home and approval is granted on a case-by-case basis. Each Center/Office/Division has their own FWAP policies. Thus, the ability to work from home will depend on the type of work you will be doing, the policy of your workplace, and your Preceptor.
11. What if we do not get along with our Preceptor? Can we change Preceptors?
Answer: If you encounter problems with your Preceptor, you can work with the Fellowship program staff to help resolve those issues. In addition, FDA has employee resources available to help resolve such conflicts.
12. Can we switch projects?
Answer: No. You can not switch projects. However, the projects are not set in stone but are dynamic. Your proposals are living documents that will change and be modified as the project progresses. You will work with your Preceptor to develop a project that suits both your needs and the needs of the Agency.
13. If I can not finish the project, is there an extension?
Answer: There is no option to extend the Fellowship beyond the two years. Project proposals are evaluated by a review committee early in the program and they will ensure that the project has a reasonable likelihood of being completed in the two-year timeframe.
14. Can I publish within FDA?
Answer: Yes, Fellows will have many opportunities to publish if they so desire and it fits into their project’s goals.
15. Is there a chance to have a rotation if needed? (i.e. work in a different FDA Center)
Answer: While rotations are not considered part of the fellowship program, if a rotation in another Office or Center would benefit your project and your Preceptor agrees, these rotations may be arranged.
16. Is their an additional budget for training/equipment purchases while participating in the fellowship?
Answer: Fellows are allocated a supply stipend each year for equipment, training, travel, and laboratory supplies. Use of these funds must have prior approval of your Preceptor.
17. What are examples of experiences offered by the program that I cannot get working elsewhere at FDA?
Answer: Unlike most new employees in the FDA, Commissioner’s Fellow’s have the opportunity to learn about all of the FDA, not just the Center that they work in. Fellow’s are given a generous training budget that allows them to attend additional training activities and have access to more resources. In addition, they are able to focus their efforts on a regulatory research project that will have an impact on the Agency. Finally, Fellows have interactions with senior leaders across the Agency.
18. How much travel is required as part of the fellowship?
Answer: The amount of travel varies depending on the project. This could include both local and long-distance travel. You and your Preceptor will develop a plan for your training and travel that fits within your budget. You will have the opportunity to attend conferences related to your project. Once you have exhausted your stipend, no out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
19. How are Fellows evaluated?
Answer: Fellows will undergo a formal performance evaluation biannually. This evaluation will be similar to the performance evaluation that all FDA employees undergo, but tailored to the unique aspects of the Fellowship. This performance evaluation will be done by the Preceptor and Fellowship Program office.
20. Can we be fired?
Answer: Yes. Fellows are considered temporary federal employees and must follow all applicable federal and Agency laws, rules, and policies for employees. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination from employment.
21. Can we join and retain scientific memberships while at FDA?
Answer: Yes. You are able to join and maintain your memberships in scientific and professional organization. However, the Agency will not pay for membership dues or other fees.
22. Where can I get more information about the program?
Answer: For more information please visit the FDA Commissioner's Fellowship Program website.
23. Do FDA Commissioner's Fellows have to abide by agency-wide conflict of interest or ethics rules?
Answer: Fellows will be subject to all of FDA's conflict of interest and ethics rules. Applicants will be required to complete FDA financial disclosure forms, abide by FDA non-disclosure and confidentiality rules, and attend FDA staff orientation. If the applicant, his/her spouse, and/or minor children have stock in Significantly Regulated Organizations, such as pharmaceutical or medical device companies, or the applicant has grants from such entities, the ability to participate in this Fellowship may be compromised. Under FDA regulations, stock in such entities generally must be divested within 120 days of joining the agency. For more information, please refer to the FDA Ethics Program website.
Eligibility
24. Who is eligible to apply?
Answer: Applicants cannot be current FDA employees, FDA contractors (such as ORISE Fellows), or commissioned officers of the Public Health Service. Applicants must have a Doctoral level degree (M.D., D.O., D.V.M., D.D.S., D.P.M., Pharm. D., or Ph.D.) to be eligible. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline are also eligible to apply.
25. I will complete all the requirements for my Doctoral level degree a few months after the scheduled program start date. Can I still apply?
Answer: No, all degree requirements (including thesis defense) must be complete before the program start date.
26. What are the citizenship requirements?
Answer: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, non-citizen nationals of the U.S., or have been admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence before the program start date.
27. Do MDs have to be licensed?
Answer: No.
28. Must MDs have completed a residency program?
Answer: No, it is not a requirement that MDs have completed a residency program.
29. Do individuals with foreign degrees need any special accreditation?
Answer: Yes, with your application materials please provide a copy of the degree verification. More information can be found at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/sec-ii/s2-e6.asp and http://www.wes.org/.
Selection Process
30. How do I apply?
Answer: Please visit the FDA Commissioner's Fellowship Program website for the most up-to-date application instructions.
31. What is the deadline to apply?
Answer: Complete applications must be submitted by midnight, Eastern Standard Time, April 15, 2010?
32. Will there be an interview process?
Answer: Yes, potential Fellows will be contacted for on-site interviews. Interviews will occur in the summer prior to the program start date. Again, please view the key dates section for a more specific timeline.
33. When will Fellows be notified? Will everyone receive notice?
Answer: All applicants will be notified of their status on a rolling basis. All applicants will be notified by August 31st.
34. May I contact a Preceptor if I need more information regarding their proposed research project?
Answer: Yes, you may contact a Preceptor if you need clarification on their research. Please note that all official program correspondence will originate from the Commissioner’s Office. Preceptors cannot make offers to potential Fellows, nor can they provide status updates.
35. Will references be contacted?
Answer: Yes, we will contact references and provide guidance regarding letter of recommendation submission. Please note, three letters of reference are required in order to be considered for the program.
36. Who makes the final decisions, and on what criteria are they based?
Answer: Selections will be made by Fellowship Program staff and the Preceptors based on submitted recommendations, applications, and the interview. The decisions will be based on past professional and academic experience, commitment to furthering the FDA’s mission, the FDA’s current or emerging Agency priorities, and leadership potential.
Benefits and Pay
37. What is the stipend/pay?
Answer: Salaries will be determined based on the applicants background (education, experience, area of expertise, etc.) and will be equal to others in the FDA with similar backgrounds. Exact salary amounts will only be provided to those applicants who receive tentative offer letters. The expected range is $65,000-$110,000. Individuals with a B.S. in engineering can expect to make somewhat less.
38. Will Fellows receive benefits?
Answer: Fellows will receive an excellent benefits package including health insurance, retirement investment options, and vacation leave. For more information, please visit the Working at FDA website.
39. Is there a housing allowance or relocation assistance?
Answer: No.
40. Is there a student loan repayment program?
Answer: No.