Traditional Fellowship Program

Traditional Fellows will be assigned to Project Arc, Refinery, or Combat Innovation teams for projects. Fellows will have an opportunity to pursue additional assignments at several points throughout the cohort. The purpose of this fellowship is to explore and absorb as much information and experience as possible.

We look forward to working with you in an upcoming cohort!

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

All AFSCs and career fields eligible
Open to all ranks, past participants have included E4-O5 and GS-5 to GS-15
Full time only assignments available
Applicants can be OCONUS during the duration of the program (Traditional Fellow Only)
A signed Memorandum of Understanding from your unit is required upon acceptance
Fellowship work will be conducted during duty hours as part of official duties
TDY opportunities during the program will be funded by Spark

FELLOW REQUIREMENTS

Ability to work virtually – Fellowship is 100% remote
Be motivated and a self-starter, possess great communication skills, have a passion for innovation, and a desire to create change to further advance the capabilities of the United States Air Force (USAF) and United States Space Force (USSF)
Applicants will be responsible for securing their own Reserve or Guard days, if applicable
Minimum weekly commitment for full time applicants is 40 hours per week
Must be a federal employee

IMPORTANT DATES

Spring 2026: Monday, February 16– Friday, August 14
Fall 2026: Monday, July 13 – Friday, December 18

Traditional fellows will be assigned to a project team. Below is an overview of possible assignments for team. Upon acceptance you will be placed with the most appropriate team based on your resume, questionnaire, and interview.

Apply Here (CAC Required)Fellowship FAQs

Project Arc
Project Arc

Supports Airmen engineers who are deployed to and embedded within operational units across 64 locations. Following a comprehensive phase of training, exercises, and certification, these members enhance the operational readiness and technological capabilities of the Air Force.
Refinery
Refinery

Spark’s “Innovation Accelerator” equips Airman and Guardian innovators with tools and resources they need to push grassroots projects through the “frozen middle” and into operational use.
Combat Innovation
Combat Innovation

Accelerates problem-solving at the operational edge by connecting Airmen, Guardians, and mission partners. It includes three core efforts:
- Spark Cells: Base-embedded maker spaces that empower personnel to prototype and transition solutions locally.
- Combat Labs (CoLabs): Deployable innovation platforms that bring prototyping capabilities to austere and operational environments.
- The Guild: A collaborative wargaming and hackathon initiative that tests emerging technologies and tactics in realistic scenarios, building networks and rapidly converting field-driven ideas into operational capability.

The AFWERX Fellowship program is designed to broaden innovation perspectives and understanding for USSF and USAF military and civilian members. Each cohort relies on experiential learning and curated professional development to cultivate a deep understanding of AFWERX operations and industry trends. Throughout the program, fellows will engage with programs and projects that have DAF level impacts. Participants will learn how to build and utilize their own DAF innovation ecosystem to propel projects forward.

AFWERX is proud to offer several fellowship opportunities. Each experience is unique, and is designed to resonate with the wide range of skills that Airmen and Guardians will bring to the fellowships.

Hear it from our alumni

The professional development experience I received from being with the Due Diligence team challenged me to get outside my comfort zone and truly apply myself. When I started the program, I was told there would be no handrails during my fellowship. With that level of freedom in the military, I believe there is a level of trust which has to be repaid by a genuine effort. I got to see and work at the Pentagon, meet with the FBI in San Francisco, and present at a conference in Texas. I think the fellowship is a gem in the Air and Space Force community and it’s a meeting place for the intelligent, persistent, and hardworking Airmen and Guardians to truly shine.

TSgt Causey

I often reflect on the AFWERX Fellowship with a single thought, ‘I wish I had embarked on this journey earlier in my career.’ Joining as a Chief Master Sgt. with 22 years of service, I realized that this program is not bound by time or rank. It’s a timeless opportunity, offering invaluable experiences for both the seasoned and the newly enlisted. This realization brings a profound message: the AFWERX Fellowship is a catalyst for transformation at any career stage. It’s a call to action for all who seek to elevate their impact and broaden their horizons. For anyone considering it, embrace this chance, and know this: it’s never too late to ignite a new chapter of professional discovery.

CMSgt Christian

Being part of the AFWERX Traditional Fellowship and working with Prime provided a lot of professional development like networking, leadership, and exposure to numerous projects outside your regular Air Force specialty. Through the tremendous travel opportunities, I had the opportunity to see the power of collaboration and fostering partnerships. This immersive experience totally changed my mindset around innovation.

TSgt Kolawole

This AFWERX Fellowship introduced me to a family of like-minded individuals, reigniting my sense of purpose and focus on the importance and impact we have for our warfighters. During this cohort, I have had the opportunities and privileges to create STEM outreach initiatives with BattleBots, participate in the Spaceport of the Future Challenge, collaborate with brilliant data infrastructure engineers, and impact the future of training for our warfighters. I am both grateful and honored for this experience as a fellow.

Ms. Burnett

The fellowship is an amazing opportunity to learn about another part of the DoW that isn’t often shared. I was able to dive into venture capital and investments while interviewing investors across the nation. The biggest return on investment was networking with other fellows and members across AFWERX. It’s a well-connected community where someone has the answer to a question.

TSgt Lopez

This fellowship introduced me to a world I didn’t know existed and taught me so much about emerging technologies. I gained so much knowledge and got the opportunity to attend conferences and workshops.

MSgt Tullos