Presidential Innovation Fellows Program

In simple terms

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

Record & deadlines

Aug 17, 2015Signed
Signed by the President
Aug 20, 2015FR published
Published in the Federal Register · 80 FR 50751
Federal Register PDF
Nov 15, 2015
Application and nomination process prescribed
Nov 15, 2015
Salary ranges, benefits, and standards published
Nov 15, 2015
Government-wide cap on Fellows established
Aug 17, 2015
Program establishment by GSA Administrator
Aug 17, 2015
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

Administrator of General Services · GSA
Director · GSA

What to expect

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'