ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13704Executive OrderObama · D

Executive Order 13704

Presidential Innovation Fellows Program

This executive order establishes the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program to bring talented entrepreneurs, executives, and technologists into the federal government for short-term appointments. The program is housed within the General Services Administration and aims to apply innovative techniques and technology to address significant national challenges.

Federal Register Open PDF 80 FR 50751

Impact dates

  1. Application and nomination process prescribed

  2. Salary ranges, benefits, and standards published

  3. Government-wide cap on Fellows established

  4. Program establishment by GSA Administrator

  5. Advisory Board establishment

Key directives

  • GSA Administrator shall establish the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program
  • GSA shall provide staff, resources, and administrative support within existing appropriations
  • GSA shall appoint Fellows and facilitate placement at agencies
  • Administrator shall establish an Advisory Board with specified membership
  • Director shall prescribe application and nomination process
  • Director shall establish, administer, review, and revise a Government-wide cap on Fellows
  • Director shall establish and publish salary ranges, benefits, and standards
  • Director shall prescribe procedures for selection, appointment, and assignment of Fellows
  • Fellows appointed for no less than 6 months and no longer than 2 years

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Program establishment by GSA Administrator
  • Advisory Board creation

Near term (90d)

  • Application and nomination process development
  • Salary ranges and benefits publication
  • Government-wide cap on Fellows established

Long term

  • Fellow selection and placement at agencies
  • Ongoing project identification and advisory board consultations

Risks & tensions

  • Funding constraint: implementation explicitly 'subject to the availability of appropriations'
  • No enforcement mechanism: agencies only 'encouraged' to participate, not required
  • Advisory Board excluded from selection process, creating potential tension between advice and execution
  • Short-term appointments (6 months to 2 years) may limit institutional knowledge retention
  • Vague criteria for 'significant positive effects' and 'most significant challenges'
Executive Order 13704: Presidential Innovation Fellows Program · Executive Orders