SUBCHAPTER XI–A—FOREIGN SERVICE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

§4141. Statement of policy; objectives

(a) Statement of policy

Consistent with the findings of section 3901 of this title, the Foreign Service of the United States should be representative of the American people. In order to facilitate and encourage the entry into the Foreign Service of individuals who meet the rigorous requirements of the Service, while ensuring a Foreign Service system which reflects the cultural and ethnic diversity of the United States, intensive recruitment efforts are mandated. This is particularly true for Native Americans, African Americans, and Hispanic Americans, where other affirmative action and equal opportunity efforts have not been successful in attracting the ablest applicants for entry into the Foreign Service. The United States remains committed to equal opportunity and to a Foreign Service system operated on the basis of merit principles.

(b) Objectives

The objective of this subchapter is to strengthen and improve the Foreign Service of the United States through the establishment of a Foreign Service Internship Program. The program shall promote the Foreign Service as a viable and rewarding career opportunity for qualified individuals who reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the United States through a highly selective internship program for students enrolled in institutions of higher education.

(Pub. L. 96–465, title I, §1201, as added Pub. L. 101–246, title I, §149(b), Feb. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 39.)

§4141a. Foreign Service Internship Program

(a) Establishment

In consultation with the heads of other agencies utilizing the Foreign Service system, the Secretary of State shall establish a Foreign Service internship program to carry out the objectives of this subchapter in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter.

(b) Foreign Service Internship Program

The program shall introduce interns to the practice of diplomacy and the unique rewards of the Foreign Service. The program shall consist of three successive summer internships of not less than eight weeks duration in each year to be completed over the course of not more than four years. Special emphasis shall be given to preparing the intern for the Foreign Service examination process. In each year not less than 10 interns shall enter the program.

(c) Eligibility to participate

(1) Students enrolled full-time in institutions of higher education from groups which are underrepresented in the Foreign Service in terms of the cultural and ethnic diversity of the Foreign Service and for whom equal opportunity and affirmative action recruitment efforts have not been successful in achieving balanced representation in appointments to the Foreign Service shall be eligible to be interns in programs under this subchapter.

(2) An intern shall have successfully completed not less than one academic year of study at an institution of higher education to be admitted to the program. In each succeeding year of participation an intern shall have completed an additional year of undergraduate or graduate study and shall maintain an exemplary record of academic achievement.

(3) In selecting interns, the Secretary shall consider only the ablest students of superior ability selected on the basis of demonstrated achievement and exceptional promise whose academic records reflect the requisite standards of performance necessary for the Foreign Service.

(d) Summer internships

(1) The primary focus of the first internship shall be the study of international relations, the functions of the Department of State and other agencies which utilize the Foreign Service system, and the nature of the Foreign Service. The internship shall be held in Washington, District of Columbia, at the Department of State. As appropriate, the Secretary shall utilize the personnel and facilities of the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center.

(2) The second internship shall be, principally, an assignment to a specific bureau of the Department of State. Emphasis shall be on providing insight into the economic and political functional areas.

(3) The third internship shall be an assignment to a United States mission abroad in the political or economic area.

(4) The first and second internships may include a detail to the Congress.

(e) Administration

The Secretary of State shall determine the academic requirements, other selection criteria, and standards for successful completion of each internship period. The Secretary shall be responsible for the design, implementation, and operation of the program.

(f) Mentors

Each intern shall be assigned a career Foreign Service officer as a mentor. The mentor shall act as a counselor and advisor throughout each summer internship and as a personal Foreign Service contact throughout the period of participation in the program. In the assignment of mentors, the Secretary shall give preference to Foreign Service officers who volunteer for such assignment and who may be role models for the interns.

(g) Compensation

Interns shall be compensated at a rate determined by the Secretary which shall not be less than the compensation of comparable summer interns at the Department of State. As determined by the Secretary, for the purposes of travel, housing, health insurance, and other appropriate benefits, interns shall be considered employees of the Foreign Service during each internship period.

(h) Study of Foreign Service examination

The Secretary of State shall study the feasibility of administering the Foreign Service examination in separate segments over several years. Not later than 180 days after February 16, 1990, the Secretary shall submit a report summarizing the findings of such a study to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.

(Pub. L. 96–465, title I, §1202, as added Pub. L. 101–246, title I, §149(b), Feb. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 40; amended Pub. L. 107–132, §1(b), Jan. 16, 2002, 115 Stat. 2412.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

February 16, 1990, referred to in subsec. (h), was in the original "the date of the enactment of this Act", which was translated as meaning the date of enactment of Pub. L. 101–246, which enacted this subchapter, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Amendments

2002—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 107–132 substituted "George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center" for "Foreign Service Institute".

§4141b. Report to Congress

Together with the annual submission required under section 3905(d)(2) ¹ of this title, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the Congress concerning the implementation of the program established under this subchapter. Such report accompanied by such other information as the Secretary considers appropriate, shall include specific information concerning the completion rates of interns in the program, interns who took the Foreign Service examination, interns who passed the examination, former interns appointed to the Foreign Service, assignments of former interns, and the advancement of former interns through the Foreign Service System.²

(Pub. L. 96–465, title I, §1203, as added Pub. L. 101–246, title I, §149(b), Feb. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 41.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 3905(d)(2) of this title, referred to in text, was omitted from the Code.

¹ See References in Text note below.

² So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.

§4141c. Authorization of appropriations

Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 101(a)(1) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991, $100,000 for the fiscal year 1990 and $150,000 for the fiscal year 1991 shall be available only to carry out this subchapter. Sums appropriated for the purposes of this subchapter are authorized to remain available until expended.

(Pub. L. 96–465, title I, §1204, as added Pub. L. 101–246, title I, §149(b), Feb. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 41.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 101(a)(1) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991, referred to in text, is section 101(a)(1) of Pub. L. 101–246, title I, Feb. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 18, which is not classified to the Code.