The fellowship program is funded by the Department of Commerce and administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. The program provides talented undergraduates with an international and domestic public service education. Professional work study and practical classroom experience in global economic policy train Fellows for successful entry into the Commercial Service as tomorrow's U.S. commercial representatives.
Selection takes place in alternate years .
It consists of a dedicated corps of American officers and foreign service nationals whose sole mission is to help American companies expand their sales in international markets. With approximately 1,230 employees in 89 domestic Export Assistance Centers and 135 overseas posts, the Commercial Service offers U.S. business export marketing, advocacy and market access assistance for all of the world's major markets. They identify overseas business opportunities for American exports and investors, conduct market research for American products and services, organize trade promotion events and negotiate reductions in barriers to U.S. trade. They serve as U.S. industry's advocates when competing on major projects in the respective countries. Domestically, they work closely with business clients, primarily small and medium-sized companies, to help them develop their export strategies by providing market research, access to trade finance and contacts with the Service's offices overseas.