Program Overview

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

The Focus Forward Fellowship is 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.

The Fellowship is designed to help women student veterans and service members build skills, leadership abilities, and to develop a sense of community with their peers.

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 competitively selected from a national group of applicants who: 

  • are U.S. military service members or veterans
  • are undergraduate students or pursuing a master’s degree; and 
  • maintain a 2.0 GPA or better. 

There are two cohorts per year, the virtual cohort and the residential cohort. The residential cohort beings with a four-day in-person component in July. The residential Fellows then meet virtually for the remainder of the academic year. The virtual cohort only meets online, making it a great option for those who are unable to attend the in-person portion of the residential cohort. The curriculum is the same for both cohorts.

Applications for the 2025 Focus Forward Fellowship are open now!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does the Fellowship consist of?
    • The in-person residency consists of four days of personal and professional growth, leadership development, and relationship building. 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. This cohort 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 year.  
  • What is needed to apply?
    • In addition to completing the application, prospective Fellows must submit a copy of their most recent transcript (that includes GPA), a resume and a copy of their DD 214 form.  
  • 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?