Data Center Operations Fellowship Application

Data Center Operations Fellowship Application
Thank you for your interest in the DCO Program Development Fellowship! This professional learning program is intended to expand the national capacity for teaching Data Center Operations at technical and community colleges by engaging with secondary and postsecondary instructors. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant number 23000978.

Due to tremendous interest in the fellowship program, we were able to meet our grant participant requirement within the first two years. We are reimagining the third year to engage the education community through professional learning at NOVA, a visit to NOVA's data center training facility, and engagement with the industry at a regional conference through a School Study Site Visit in April 2026. Please visit the application page for more information: https://form.jotform.com/novasystemic/DCO-PL-Application
Fellows will complete the following:

The fellowship starts by attending a 3-day professional learning series at NOVA. Fellows will then participate in a 5-day externship at a data center near their work institution within 3 months of the initial professional learning. Lastly, the fellows will create an educational action plan on how they will incorporate data center operations into their teaching or institution along with a submitted reflection and artifacts within 6-months of the initial professional learning.
Start dates for the 6-month fellowship.

Cohort 2: June 2025 (Closed) Cohort 3: June 2026
Stipends of $3500 will be awarded to fellows who complete the 6-month fellowship.

Fellows will be paid a total of $3500 plus up to $1300 in travel expenses. The $3500 stipend will be paid in two installments, the first $1000 installment will be awarded after fellows complete the PL series at NOVA and submit receipts for travel expenses. The second installment of $2500 will be paid after completion of the 5-day externship and submission of the education action plan and any other required documents. Those who do not complete the fellowship or the requirements of the fellowship will not receive the full stipend.
Name*

First NameLast Name
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Citizenship - This is needed for fellows visiting data centers, as some have citizenship requirements depending on their clients and security clearance requirements.*

US CitizenOther
Name of your Institution/Workplace*

NOVAOther
Work Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
What size data center market is your institution situated in?*

EmergingSmall MarketLarge MarketUncertain
Current Job Title*
What is your experience with data centers? Select all that apply.*

NoneI know what a data center is and does.I know the types of careers related to data centers.I have been inside a data center.I have worked in a data center.Other
Courses taught/supervised related to Data Center Operations (e.g. Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Building Maintenance, Building Administration, Networking, etc.)*
The purpose of this program it to build the capacity for data center education across the country. What most interests you about this program and how do you hope to incorporate data center education into your teaching or institution?*
What other experience do you have that is relevant to this fellowship that you would like us to consider?*
Optional
Do you have the support of your institution to apply what you learn during this fellowship? If selected, you will need a letter of support from your supervisor.*

YesNo
Availability - Attending the 3-day Professional Learning Series followed by a 5-day Externship at a Data Center is required.
The 3-Day Professional Learning Series will take place at NOVA. Which of the following would you be interested in attending? If you are available, but have no preference, you may select multiple dates.*

Cohort 2: June 2025 (Closed)Cohort 3: June 2026
Fellows are required to complete a 5-day externship at a data center near their institution within 12 weeks of completing the above training. Are you available to complete the externship between June and August?*

YesNo, but I could complete it within the yearNo, I am only interested in the 3-day professional learning
What is your preference for the location of the externship? We will work with the data centers on your behalf to try to get you placed at one of the locations you select.*

Ashburn, VAFairfax, VALoudoun, VAManassas, VAReston, VAOther
We will work with our industry advisory board to identify a host data center close to your institution. If you have any specific host or location requests, please describe below.*
Not Required
Should be Empty:

Data Center Operations Fellowship Application

Fellows will complete the following:

Start dates for the 6-month fellowship.

Stipends of $3500 will be awarded to fellows who complete the 6-month fellowship.

Availability - Attending the 3-day Professional Learning Series followed by a 5-day Externship at a Data Center is required.