Air Force Fellowship Opens Doors to Innovation

AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force and powered by the Air Force Research Laboratory, is advancing cross-training for technical experts through its Traditional Fellowship program and is accepting applications for the next cohort through 16 August 2024.

The program, which typically lasts four months, offers part-time or full-time virtual positions that contribute to a series of projects. These include major command outreach efforts, aiding in the development of Airman and Guardian innovative ideas, technical assignments in the electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing, (eVTOL), field and participating in Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer contracting sprints, which are accelerated processes designed to expedite the traditional contracting timeline, enabling the Air Force to quickly acquire and integrate new technologies or services. From proposal submission to contract award, the process is significantly shortened, taking roughly two weeks.

The Department of the Air Force believes the development of multi-disciplinary technical experts gives the DAF a competitive edge over foreign adversaries, making the department more agile and adept at solving its technological problems as new ideas can be pursued more quickly. Experts take their newly acquired knowledge and training back to their workplace and bring new, valuable perspectives to the mission.

“In the innovation space, you have to be creative,” said Willy Reynolds, a systems engineer with the 407th Supply Chain Management Wing at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. “You need to have an open mindset and be willing to learn. That’s why the Fellowship program is the way to go.”