19 participants placed at eight federal agencies and three industry-leading tech companies in tech, science and entrepreneurship roles

The NobleReach® Foundation today announced the inaugural class of NobleReach Scholars.

These 19 early-career tech, science and entrepreneurship professionals will embark on a one- or two-year journey, stepping into fully compensated roles within government or private sector organizations focused on tackling complex challenges with major societal impact. Each scholar was selected from among hundreds of candidates from 90 universities nationwide, rigorously evaluated and matched to the unique needs of their assigned partner.

This first class of scholars will engage in five critical areas: artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity, business process innovation and materials manufacturing.

NobleReach Scholars have been placed at eight federal agencies with responsibilities spanning defense and national security, the economy, climate and health. Additional participants include Anduril, Ozark and Thermaquil, three industry partners at the forefront of public sector innovation.

“Our nation must tap into the best and brightest minds to address the always-evolving wave of challenges we face,” said Jen Easterly, Director of the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency, one of the host agencies. “The vigilance and resilience we need to compete on the global stage demands a whole-of-society approach. That starts with people, in and out of government.”

In addition to hands-on experience, scholars will benefit from multidisciplinary programming from mission-driven industry partners and mentorship from public and private sector leaders across the five core themes.

“In today's complex strategic environment, our national security is best served at the intersection of the government and industry sectors,” said Gen. John Raymond, former Chief of Space Operations and mentor for scholars placed at the U.S. Space Force. “The NobleReach Scholars program places incredibly talented young professionals alongside government employees to grow the future workforce needed to maintain the United States’ global advantage.”

“The scholars program aims to inspire a lifelong passion for public service among tomorrow’s leading technologists, scientists and entrepreneurs at the beginning of their careers,” said NobleReach Foundation CEO Arun Gupta. “Wherever their journeys take them – to government, the private sector or academia – NobleReach Scholars will always be part of a community united in their dedication to driving positive entrepreneurial change for societal impact.”

“Our scholars represent the best of a new generation of professionals committed to advancing the public good,” echoed the Honorable Lisa Disbrow, NobleReach Board Chair. “Amid paradigmatic shifts in the technology landscape and unprecedented global security challenges, our competitive advantage is and has always been our young people.”

NobleReach will begin accepting applications for the 2025 cohort on September 30, 2024.

About NobleReach Foundation:

NobleReach® Foundation, a nonprofit based just outside Washington, D.C., has a mission to strengthen the security and prosperity of our nation through talent and innovation. NobleReach brings together the entrepreneurial agility of the private sector, the ideas of academia, and the scale and purpose of the public sector to drive innovation toward solving our nation’s technological challenges by inspiring the next generation of mission-driven changemakers. Our talent initiatives are focused on bridging professionals in tech and entrepreneurship fields with opportunities in government. Our innovation efforts center around NobleReach experts partnering with government research agencies to commercialize cutting-edge research.

For media inquiries, please contact: Katharine Viles Director of Communications katharine.viles@noblereachfdn.org