Program Overview

Image: Half military helmet, half graduation cap Text: Focus Forward Fellowship

The Focus Forward Fellowship is an engagement and research program designed to help women student veterans and service members build skills, leadership, and a sense of community with their peers. 

The Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University created the Focus Forward Fellowship to meet the needs of women student veterans and service members enrolled at a two-year or four-year higher education institution.

Through the program, Fellows will:

  • build a community of support; 
  • access corporate mentors to develop new career skills; 
  • understand individual strengths and how to maximize those strengths; 
  • identify strategies and resources to increase connections and success on campus; 
  • gain confidence in problem-solving; and 
  • develop skills to help foster academic and career goals. 

Details

Fellows are U.S. military service members or veterans, and must maintain a 2.0 GPA or better. While the program is designed for undergraduate students, graduate students are able to participate.

In accordance with Purdue policies, all persons have equal access to Purdue University’s educational programs, services and activities, without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability or status as a veteran. See Purdue’s Nondiscrimination Policy Statement. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these policies, please contact the Office of the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance at vpec@purdue.edu or 765-494-5830.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When is the 2026 Fellowship?
    • The Fellows will meet on Purdue University’s campus for the initial intensive, which will be held in July. All Fellows will stay connected with their cohort virtually through the remainder of the academic year.
  • What does the Fellowship consist of?
    • The residency consists of four days of personal and professional growth, leadership development, and relationship building. Virtual and on-campus session curriculum has been designed to help Fellows understand their personal strengths, along with how to recognize and utilize the strengths of others. The virtual Fellowship consists of the same sessions, but in an online format. It is ideal for those who might have difficulty traveling, or those who have family or work obligations preventing them from traveling.
  • How long is the Fellowship?
    • Focus Forward Fellows will participate in a four-day intensive residency or virtual program. After completion of the initial residency or virtual program, Fellows will engage in an online community throughout the subsequent academic year. There will also be a post residency, midline, year-end and final evaluation.
  • Who can participate?
    • Active duty, National Guard, Reserve or a Veteran women with an honorable, general (considered under honorable conditions), or medical discharge. Must be enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year higher education institution with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
  • Are there any costs associated with the Fellowship?
    • Through the generous support of foundations and corporations, we offer the Focus Forward Fellowship at no charge to participants or their college or university.  
  • How can I learn more about the Fellowship?