This is the annual request for nominations for five of NASA’s Development Programs:

• NASA’s Leadership Development Program (LDP)
• NASA Fellowship Program
• NASA Foundations of Influence, Relationship, Success, and Teamwork (FIRST) Program
• NASA Congressional Fellowship Program
• NASA Administrator’s Fellowship Program (NAFP)

The call for these programs has been combined to provide a strategic approach to announcing NASA’s development opportunities and to provide greater support for Center succession planning efforts. As always, candidate selection for these programs is based on the demonstrated potential of the nominee and match to the Agency’s needs and priorities including available funding. This year we are paying particular attention to the stated reentry plans of nominated program candidates to ensure that individuals selected have active leadership support for their continued development when they return to their Center. Our goal is to ensure that participants in these programs support NASA’s need to identify, develop and retain talent for future leadership positions.

Each development program has different application dates. They are as follows:

Monday, July 16, 2007

• NASA Congressional Fellowship Program 2008

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

• Leadership Development Program (LDP) 2008-2009
• NASA Fellowship Program 2008-2009
• NASA FIRST Program 2007-2008

Monday, January 21, 2008

• NASA Administrator’s Fellowship Program (NAFP)

Please refer to the program headings below for detailed program information and names of individuals to contact for more information.

Melissa K. Riesco
Director, Training & Leadership Development
Workforce Management and Development Division
Office of Human Capital Management

NASA Leadership Development Program (LDP) and NASA Fellowship Program

Because the LDP and Fellowship Program are Agency-wide leadership development programs designed to support NASA’s succession planning strategy, Center management should utilize objective (merit-based) selection processes to choose individuals for these programs who have demonstrated potential to take on roles of broader responsibility upon their return to the Center. This does not imply a promotion but may include increased responsibility, new assignments on Center or Agency teams, or other opportunities in which the returning participant can use and share his/her expanded learning and experience.

The reentry strategy is a critical element within the application process for the LDP and Fellowship Program. Applicants are strongly encouraged to show how they and their management will support their development during and after the program, and to show how this development strengthens and aligns with the Center’s succession planning strategy. This element reflects 30% of the applicant’s total rating; therefore, even the most qualified candidate cannot successfully compete without a strong, supported reentry strategy.

 

1. NASA Leadership Development Program (LDP)

The LDP is a 12-month leadership program designed to strengthen a participant’s ability to understand Agency-wide needs and the role NASA plays in supporting national goals. It is a rigorous program that challenges participants to produce and be accountable for measurable results. This year, the program is encouraging Centers to support and nominate individuals at the GS-13 and GS-14 levels. Consideration may also be given to individuals currently working at the GS-15 level who show a need and desire to gain developmental experience in leading an Agency or Federal-wide team, project, or initiative that is of interest or significance to the Agency. There is no limitation on the number of applications a Center may submit for panel consideration. However, the Center’s transmittal letter must show the slate of nominees in priority order.

One of the selection criteria for this program is that the selected participants must have taken an agency-level leadership course such as the Management Education Program (MEP) or Managing the Influence Process (MIP). The Training and Leadership Development Office is developing a new agency-level leadership course that will replace these courses. Therefore, nominees may complete this requirement by having taken MEP, MIP, or a pilot version of the new Leadership Alignment for Managers. If a nominee has not yet taken any of these courses, he/she must identify the date on which they have been scheduled.

A full description of the program including information, selection criteria and forms related to this program are electronically available through the LDP page located at http://ldp.nasa.gov. Please note that in order to complete the NASA Form 1591 on-line, "Informed Software" is required.

Centers must send completed nomination packages by September 4, 2007 to the Office of Human Capital Management, Workforce Management and Development Division, Attn: Chris Williams, NASA Leadership Development and Executive Coaching Director, 300 E Street, SW, Suite 4042, Washington, DC 20546. Packages must include the following items (please do not hole-punch copies):

• Center Director’s cover memo listing nominees in priority order.
• NASA Development Programs Application (NASA Form 1591, March 07) for each applicant. Previous editions of the 1591 Form will not be accepted. Please be sure Center Director comments are written, MIP, MEP, or Leadership Alignment for Managers attendance is noted and that candidates have completed the gap analysis matrix on Page 4 of the application.
• NASA Leadership Development Program, Supplemental Attachment (NASA Form 1591D, May 05) for each applicant.
• Each nominee’s Center IDP.

If you have questions or need additional information the LDP, please contact Chris Williams at (202) 358-2146, or Maureen Dale at (804) 580-6182.

 

2. NASA Fellowship Program

The NASA Fellowship Program provides high potential employees with the opportunity to attend world-class academic programs as a means of enhancing their management and leadership capabilities. These programs provide an excellent opportunity for participants to study and work with individuals Government-wide, nationally with industry participants, and globally with international students.

All documents, information and forms related to this call are electronically available through the NASA Fellowship Program page located at http://fellowship.nasa.gov/.

The eligibility criteria and requirements for Fellowship programs can be found on Page 7 of the NASA Fellowship Program Guide. The Panel will not accept more than one nomination per program from each Center.

The following program will be added as a new opportunity in the Fellowship Program for the 2008-2009 cycle:

• International Space University, Space Odyssey Institute

Due to resource constraints, the following Fellowship program will not be offered in the 2008-2009:

MIT Accelerated Leadership Option program.

To ensure that nominees have taken advantage of both Center and Agency-level training before applying for an external fellowship, nominees must have demonstrated prior commitment to internal training and development experiences. As such, applicants must list Center and Agency training taken to date, including course title and date in their applications. Applicants may also include external training in which they have participated if so desired. Applications not containing this information will be returned to the Centers and not forwarded to the Panel for further consideration.

Centers must send completed nomination packages by September 4, 2007 to the Office of Human Capital Management, Workforce Management and Development Division, Attn: Lauren Leo, Fellowship Program Manager, 300 E Street, SW, Suite 4042, Washington, DC 20546. All forms are available on the Fellowship Web site noted above. Packages must include the following items (please do not hole-punch copies):

• Center Director’s cover memo.
• NASA Development Programs Application (NASA Form 1591, March 07) for each applicant. Previous editions of the 1591 Form will not be accepted. Please be sure Center Director comments are written, training attendance is noted and that candidates have completed the gap analysis matrix on Page 4 of the application.
• Supplemental Attachment: Fellowship Assessment and Cost (NASA Form 1591C, May 03). Only applies to nominees for the Local Executive Program Option.

If you have questions or need additional information on the Fellowship Program, please contact Lauren Leo at (202) 358-1333, or Maureen Dale at (804) 580-6182.

NASA Foundations of Influence, Relationship, Success, and Teamwork (FIRST) Program

The NASA FIRST program aims to develop a community of prospective future leaders who will have a full understanding of the Agency’s vision and mission areas. It is designed to provide GS-11 through GS-12 employees in science, engineering and the professional administrative field with the foundational skills necessary for their future success within the Agency. NASA FIRST will inspire, motivate and enlighten NASA’s next generation of Agency leaders.

Applications for the 2008 program are due on Tuesday, September 4, 2007. Information on candidate eligibility, selection requirements, allocations for each Center, and how to apply is available at http://www.leadership.nasa.gov/nasa_first/home.htm. Please submit required documents for each participant, along with the Center Director’s approval for all candidates selected to: Jennifer Budd, NASA, Glenn Research Center, 21000 Brook Park Road, MS 15-4, Cleveland, OH 44135

Please contact Jennifer Budd at (216) 433-8021 or by email at Jennifer.L.Budd@nasa.gov for additional information regarding this program.

NASA Congressional Fellowship Program

The purpose of the NASA Congressional Fellowship Program is to provide promising NASA employees a first-hand understanding of the role of the Legislative Branch in the funding and oversight of the Government's programs and to apply that knowledge to future assignments at NASA, furthering NASA's ability to be responsive to the Congress. This program provides an Agency-wide approach to ensure that high-potential candidates acquire this professional development experience and training in a consistent manner across the Agency. Through completing year-long development assignments on Capitol Hill, past participants have proven successful in deriving benefits for NASA and Congressional offices while engaging in their professional development. Each Center Director, Headquarters Mission Directorate, and Headquarters Functional Office Official in Charge (OIC) is requested to nominate one employee from his or her organization for a potential assignment on a Congressional staff. The assignment will begin in January 2008 and extend throughout the calendar year.

The nominee should be a GS-13 or GS-14 whom the Center Director or OIC considers to have great potential for further advancement. The Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, in consultation with the Office of Human Capital Management, will oversee the selection of finalists as well as placement in Congressional offices. The nomination package should include the following: 1) a letter of recommendation from the Center Director or OIC which personally endorses the nominee; 2) an Individual Development Plan that includes a reentry strategy that is fully supported by Center or OIC management; and 3) documentation of work assignments that the individual will perform when she or he returns from the fellowship program.Additional information on the nomination process, milestones, and candidate qualifications is provided through the NASA Congressional Fellowship Program page located at http://nasapeople.nasa.gov/training/congfellow. Nominations packages are due by July 16, 2007 to the Office of Human Capital Management, Workforce Management & Development Division, Attn: Lauren Leo, 300 E Street, SW, Suite 4042, Washington, DC 20546.

The Panel will not accept more than one nomination from each Center or Headquarters Office.

If you have questions or need additional information on the NASA Congressional Fellowship Program, please contact Karl Stehmer (202) 358-1925 or Larry Spencer (202) 358-1909.

 

NASA Administrator’s Fellowship Program

The NASA Administrator's Fellowship Program (NAFP), is designed to enhance the professional development of NASA employees and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics faculty at minority institutions. As a “mission support” program, the ultimate goal is to enhance partnerships and collaborations between NASA and minority institutions that lead to increased diverse participation in NASA’s overall research, development, and education initiatives.

Six Fellowships will be awarded to NASA career employees per year. During the first year, fellows will spend approximately 10-12 months teaching and conducting research at a minority institution. The second year, the fellows spend approximately 9-12 months in a professional development assignment(s) at NASA Headquarters, a NASA Center, a research University, another Federal agency, aerospace industry, or other appropriate organizations.

These assignments will provide NASA career employees with the experience and insight to help guide future NASA initiatives, positioning them for greater leadership responsibilities within the Agency.

Additional program information including a detailed program description, eligibility requirements, and application form are available through the NAFP Web site at http://www.uncfsp.org/divstNAFP.aspx.

Applications for the 2007 program should be submitted directly to the NASA Administrator's Fellowship Program, 2750 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 600, Fairfax, VA 22031. Applications must be received by close of business, Monday, January 21, 2008.

Final selections for the NAFP will be based on the needs of NASA and the minority institutions, the demonstrated potential of the applicants, and the match of the individual applicant’s needs with program objectives. If you have questions, or need additional information, please contact the NAFP Project Manager, Dr. Marilyn Lewis at (256) 961-1336, or NAFP Project Director, Dr. Melissa Green, at (703) 205-7636.