Noncompetitive eligibility? What's that? How do you get it and why?
NCE is basically a shortcut to special career paths within the US federal government.
What is NCE?
It is called noncompetitive eligibility because recipients can apply to governmental positions not open to the public or not open to entry-level applicants, meaning there is less competition for these jobs. Federal agencies can more easily and more quickly recruit and hire alumni of certain academic awards.
It was created by executive order under the Obama Administration in 2016.
NCE eligibility
First, you need to be a US citizen to be eligible.
Next, you need to receive an award for one of the following programs:
- Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
- Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Lastly, bear in mind that NCE expires. You will typically have three years to take advantage of NCE once your program ends.
