Applications for the fiscal year 2026 ICAP Fellowship, a 12-month fellowship offered in partnership between the Defense Innovation Unit and Defense Acquisition University, are now open through July 31, 2025.
Today, DIU announced the opening of the application window for the Fiscal Year 2026 Immersive Commercial Acquisition Program (ICAP) Fellowship. As a partnership between the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) and DIU, the program equips acquisition professionals with the skills and experience needed to effectively acquire cutting-edge commercial technologies for the U.S. military.
Now entering its fourth year, the ICAP Fellowship offers a unique blend of virtual classroom training and hands-on experience. Fellows receive in-depth instruction on Other Transaction (OT) authority, a flexible contracting mechanism designed for rapid prototyping and procurement of commercial technologies. They also gain practical experience working on real-world DIU projects, applying their knowledge to current DOD needs.
“In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, the Department must be able to swiftly acquire and integrate leading-edge commercial technologies,” said DIU Director, Doug Beck. “To ensure our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage, we need contracting professionals who are fluent in both the defense and commercial sectors, and who can help their teammates across the Department to develop that same fluency. That is what the ICAP fellowship delivers, and we need to keep scaling it - and its impact - for the Department’s critical needs.”
The 12-month fellowship provides participants with:
Advanced Training: Learn commercial acquisition techniques for non-traditional defense companies and develop strategic thinking and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Expert Mentorship: Guidance from experienced mentors and firsthand knowledge of the commercial market and its drivers.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with leading defense acquisition professionals, tech industry experts, and key stakeholders.
Real-World Impact: Apply skills to current DoD projects and drive meaningful change within their teams and organizations.
Thought Leadership Development: Opportunities to share expertise and inspire peers through presentations, white papers, and articles.
The application deadline for the FY2026 ICAP Fellowship is July 31, 2025. For more information and to apply, please visit here.
To learn more about the ICAP program join current fellows for a virtual, live Ask Me Anything (AMA) session set for July 8, 2025 from 3-4:00 p.m. ET. More details to follow.