justification

The German Marshall Fund (GMF) partnership is the grantee for the fellowship program, and is responsible for recruiting the most qualified candidates for the fellowship program. GMF has reviewed HUD’s application form and has determined that they would like to make some adjustments to the application form to better vet candidates for the fellowship program. The form that they like to amend is called the, “Application for the Fellowship Placement Pilot Program for 2012” that HUD submitted for its PRA approval (attached).

Here are the changes:

Given their extensive fellowship management experience, GMF has determined that the most effective way to recruit fellows is to open the application process with a “Request for Expressions of Interest” notice that ask applicants to provide basic background information into their relevant experience in public policy, local government and related subject areas.

GMF’s application form provides a more extensive background summary of the fellowship program and its relationship to the “Strong Cities, Strong Communities” White House Initiative.

GMF’s application is hoping to cast a wider net for qualified applicants. Under the “Request for Expressions of Interest” notice, they do not require applicants to submit a college transcript or letter of recommendations. Rather, GMF will only require a resume, cover letter and application cover form.

GMF’s application form does not ask questions about race, SS#, gender or scholastic records.

GMF’s application form does ask applicants to indicate which pilot city they would like to be place if selected as a fellow.

Because GMF is managing the fellowship program for HUD, they will be responsible for collecting the application documents for the department.