Program Overview and FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Here is a basic overview of the program and Frequently Asked Questions

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has developed the IC CAE (Intelligence community Center of Academic Excellence) program at select Universities to help address the Human Capital needs of the National Security.

Virginia Tech and Howard University teamed together to go after this competitive procurement. While we primarily applied with an engineering focus the program will be open to all majors and all students.

Events that we hold (speakers, field trips, symposium, application day…)  All IC CAE scholars are required to attend the once a year Colloquium and attend at least 3 events which could include speakers, office hours, and field trips.

****Note the program is very popular and reaching capacity. Only those students who show commitment and participation in events, volunteering, and office hours will be allowed in the program.***

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We are soliciting applications from interested students who meet the following qualifications

• US citizens
• Desire to intern with a Federal Agency, Federal Lab, or private company engaged in National Security efforts
• Have an interest in National Security and world affairs
• Maintain defined GPA (To be determined)

APPLICATION FORM:

• Apply through Intelligence Community Scholars joint application portal with the Hume Center
• A completely separate application process for ICCAE summer Study abroad scholarships will be announced

We are setting up two levels of ICCAE participation:

IC CAE  Scholar: These will be limited to approximately 10 of the best applicants. Students will receive a monetary stipend. Requirements will include identifying a focused area of independent student research related to the IC or National Security. Students must develop and present a research poster at the IC Colloquium and write a final report on the topic.

IC CAE  Associate Scholar: These will be students who will gain access to all the speakers and workshops we have and be able to list IC CAE on their resume and online applications which will be a significant help in getting positions.  Through this program we can help make the contacts between them and agencies, national labs and private companies involved in National Security work.

Through this program we will:

• Develop or enhance curriculum to build the skill sets needed in the IC professions
• Conduct pre-collegiate outreach in their geographic regions
• Host a Colloquia with consortium universities to heighten IC issues and careers
• Send IC CAE Travel Scholars abroad to obtain language and cultural awareness or immersion experiences

STUDENT BENEFITS

Students who participate in this program will garner significant benefits to their educational and long-term career goals by:

1. Paid travel abroad for those selected to the Travelling  Scholar level.
2. Gaining exposure to the work of National Security and understanding the structure and function of the 16 Intelligence Community Agencies
3. Improve their critical thinking skills, communication capabilities and other core skills desired by the IC and by any employer
4. Improving their understanding of global affairs and obtaining better awareness of different cultures and societies
5. Assistance in resume development for pursuing Intelligence Agency co-ops, internships and full-time employment
6. Assistance in finding and obtaining Co-op positions and full-time employment through the program’s direct connections to the IC and related companies
7. Access to our National Security symposium speakers and research sessions
8. One-on-one face time with representatives of the IC to gain a better understanding of the reality of work within the IC

What is Required?

1. Meet with an IC representative or faculty mentor at least once a semester
2. Attend IC CAE guest speaker sessions and other events
3. Attend IC CAE workshops such as Intel Brief writing, IC resume development, Ins/outs of security clearances…
4. Attend the IC CAE Colloquia – Target Date mid April after spring break
5. If chosen for travel abroad program must follow special polices for travelling scholars (see bottom of this FAQ)
6. Create a slide show or video of travel abroad experience, or a research poster of an independent research topic.
7. Maintain good academic and Honor code status while enrolled in the program
8. Check email and check this blog sites for regular updates
9. Students must keep an up-to-date listing of the internships/co-ops/jobs they have applied to on the IC CAE-VT Scholar web page.
10.    - info to track includes – agency applied to, date, position name, result
11.    -if Conditional job offered – anticipated start date
12. One of the metrics measured is applications submitted by IC CAE scholars to federal agencies, internship offers/acceptances with agencies or companies that support National security.  (The exception to this is applications to NCS at CIA. We don’t collect information on these)

FAQ

What is the Study Abroad Scholarships?

Each year a select number of ICCAE students will be awarded a separate study abroad scholarship. The application process and award process are independent and will be announced separately.

What is the Hume Center?

The Hume Center is separate endowed center focused on scholarships for students interested in the IC and to develop research programs to support National Security customers.  Both the ICCAE and Hume Scholarships will share a single application portal. Students will submit 1 application to the overall IC Scholar program and the review committee will award all the available scholarships from both programs from the applicants.

How many students are being accepted?

See here for # of Hume scholarships available. ICCAE will typically award 10 stipend scholarships. There will be a higher limit on the number of ICCAE Associate members

Is there funding for tuition for graduate students, or stipends for undergrads, or graduate research assistantships?

There are no GRA’s through ICCAE. The Hume Center does support GRA’s periodically. There will be some level of stipend awarded to ICCAE scholars.

Do I have to be a US Citizen to participate?

• We will only accept US Citizens for the travel abroad and internship placement aspects of the program.  Many other benefits such as speakers, symposium and workshops will be open to anyone.

Is this for undergraduates, gradutes students or both?

• This is open to both undergraduate and graduate students
• The pre-collegiate camps will include middle school, and highschool

Where would we travel to?

• In 2010 we sent 12 students to Prague, in 2011 we will attend a Chinese Language Institute

How much of the cost of travel abroad will be covered

• The program will pay the tuition cost for the study abroad program and the air from Virginia to destination.  Additional change to travel are at the student’s expense. Meals not included in the tuition cost of the program are at the student’s expense.  An additional stipend may be awarded that can go towards food/incidentals.

Is there any commitment to join the IC or related company after graduation?

• No there is no commitment

What obligations are there after graduation or leaving the program

• There is no formal obligation upon graduating or leaving the program.  Though we hope that if you find your experiences in the program beneficial you will share them with others.

Is this program classified or will a security clearance be required?

• The program itself is unclassified in that any of the speakers, workshops, travel abroad, independent research, summer camps, symposium and discussion groups are all unclassified.  However, some students may be elect and qualify for internships or full-time employment with an organziation that requires security clearances.  These positions and the work that they entail will have their own requirements.

Do I have to know a language?

• No, one does not have to be fluent or have high proficiency in language to be part of the program.  Some study abroad program may require a higher level than others though.  We do not require that students take a language but this will count higher during the application review process.  While a language is not required, many in the IC and outside the IC feel that some knowledge of another language other than your native tongue is requisite for being a world citizen.

What languages are desired?

According to the DNI’s table of Core competencies, these languages are considered in high priority by the IC:

Middle Eastern, Far Eastern, Sub-Saharan African, World Languages

Is this restricted to any particular major?

• No applicants from any major can apply.  In fact, the IC has a need for many niche disciplines that one might not normally consider.  So, while there are more careers available in the traditional engineering and international studies disciplines there are also opportunities for any major.

Is this restricted to the Corp of Cadets or ROTC?

• No, anyone from the University may apply

Is this restricted to VT students only?

• Currently, only students enrolled at VT or Howard will be eligible for study abroad funding.  We are going to make most of the workshops and speakers open to the public, and for students who are enrolled in another university we are considering a ‘partner’ status to enable benefits for finding co-ops and internships

Are there requirements for certain classes?

• As part of this program we are modifying existing curriculum and developing new courses. This will take a few semesters to get into place.  At this time there is no required class to take.  We hope in the future that there will be courses will be classes with modified curriculum and new classes that will be more broad in nature available to all majors.
• Our longterm goal is to develop a certificate program in National Security Studies that one can obtain in addition to your major field of study.  From the feedback we have obtained from the IC, obtaining a degree in a substantive field and dedicated major(such as biology or electrical engineering or International Studies) is still preferred.

Is our status as an IC Scholar based on any other considerations?

Yes, your continued eligibility in the program will include evaluation of the following:

• Dedication to the program, such as volunteering with the high school summer program and other events throughout the year.
• Application to internships, programs, and scholarships that involve the Intelligence Community.
• Research, whether through a class or an outside project that demonstrates an interest in the Intelligence Community.
• Commitment to maintaining the integrity of the IC CAE Scholars Program by conducting yourself in a professional and respectful manner at all meetings, events, in online social networks, and on trips abroad.
• Meeting required attendance at IC CAE events (tracked through sign in sheets)

What are the policies for IC CAE Travelling Scholars

Additional Requirements for Study Abroad participants:

• Must be a US Citizen
• Keep a current passport.
• Verify with OIRED and 3rd party provider regarding immunizations and Obtain all necessary immunizations prior to departure
• Submit all required materials-including applications for study abroad, scholarship information, passport, passport photos, emergency contact info, and visa applications-by the date assigned.
• Unless prior arrangements are made and approved, you must attend all classes and events prior to and during the trip.  If you cannot attend the classes, do not sign up for the trip.
• You must abide by the rules set forth for traveling abroad.  If you violate these rules, you may be sent home and/or removed from the program.
• Do research prior to the trip in order to familiarize yourself with the country.
• Abide by the laws of the country.
• Do not be late for scheduled events.  If you are late, you will be sent home at your own expense.
• Sleep in your assigned room.
• Be respectful and courteous to the citizens and residents of the country.

• Must be able to travel during the dates/times of the study abroad program.
• Must check their email regularly when part of the program especially in Summer leading up to the departure date
• Must provide two contact phone numbers where they can be reached
• Must be signed up for Direct Deposit with Virginia Tech- no paper checks will be issued directly to students
• Must verify with Financial Aid and scholarship office that they are elligible to receive scholarship payment equivalent to cost of tuition/room/board
• Need valid, up to date passport in place by March piror to trip
  • Need to provide us with their valid passport #
• They sign up directly with the third party’s study abroad program, This is a direct pay and a direct enrollment, you are VT students enrolling in a separate summer abroad program.
• Sign up according to requirements of the provider, such as an online registration, etc.. You will receive a scholarship payment to your bank account which will enable you to pay for the registration.
• Academic credit is up to their home department, we can provide the syllabi for the courses they are taking. Arrangements for transfer credit need to be made with your home department and advisor.
• If graduating the year of the summer abroad, they must ensure that they still formally considered a student at the time of the summer trip, they can walk during May ceremonies but on paper they need to defer their formal graduation until after summer II session is over
• Upon receipt of payment into direct deposit for the amount of tuition, the student must write a check from their own bank accounts payable directly to the provider to of the summer abroad program
• Must fill out all required applications with OIRED
• Must attend ALL orientation sessions with OIRED for OIRED forms the below info is used:
  • -all emergency contacts should be family members
  • program sponsor is the third party vendor
  • program leader is vendor
• Must deliver to the IC CAE program manager a product about their experience. This can be in the form of an electronic offline BLOG, written journal, photo book, video, etc.  the IC CAE program can pay for production costs of photo books or reprinting costs
• It is desired that a small group of the students take initiative to collate pictures from the group into one photobook, and to collate short essays from the group regarding their experience.
• We will purchase the same set of airline tickets leaving from the same location/date/time and arriving at the same location/date/time through a travel agent.  If the student wants to depart earlier or stay later they must make their own arrangements with the travel agent and pay any additional fees/cost.
• If a choice is available, it is encouraged to select roommate from the another country
• Must have respect at all times for the host country and know that they are representing Virginia Tech and the USA

Cancellation Policies for Travel abroad scholarships

When the student is awarded a travel scholarship and they accept it, this is a commitment that they follow through.  Funds are placed into their accounts for tuition, and stipends.  Plane tickets will be purchased in their name on their behalf.

If you cancel, for health, or other reasons, you will be required to payback the scholarship and the plane ticket cost.  (You will have a credit for the plane ticket in your name and can be used for any travel within one year).

-You will be liable for any portion not reimbursed by the third party provider. For example, most have a policy that a certain % will be withheld from refunds to cover costs incurred.

-We recommend that you apply for travel insurance on your own to cover these costs in the event that you need to cancel. This has to be done on your own accord.