Are you interested in a federal government internship or a full-time job after you graduate? If so, would like to tell you about a great opportunity for Tufts University students with disabilities!
WRP is also hosting a workshop on September 9th, 3 pm – 4:30 pm (virtual) and you can register for this session here: Workforce Recruitment Program Application 101 Registration
The Tufts Career Center will be hosting a virtual information session about this program on Thursday, September 10th, 12 noon – 1 pm via Zoom. You can register for this event in Handshake and find the link here: (41) WRP Federal Employment Program for students with disabilities | Handshake
About the Workforce Recruitment Program:
The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP), coordinated by the U.S. Department of Labor, is a recruitment and career development program that connects federal and select private-sector employers with highly motivated college students, graduate students, and recent graduates with physical or psychiatric disabilities who are eager to demonstrate their abilities in the workplace through internships or permanent jobs.
Students must be a U.S. Citizen, have a disability, be a degree-seeking post-secondary student (undergraduate, graduate, and PhD) as well as an alum that has graduated on or before April 1, 2024.
Important Dates – WRP Program:
- Student registration opens: August 17, 2026
- Student registration closes: October 4, 2026
- Database of candidates released to employers: Mid-December 2026 – agencies can begin to search for candidates that are a fit for internships and full-time roles and they will reach out directly to candidates in the WRP.
How to Apply:
- Review the Student section on the WRP Website for an overview of the process: Students | U.S. Department of Labor
- The first step is creating an account on USAJOBS. WRP’s USAJOBS – The Federal Government’s official employment site is linked on WRP.gov. Students and recent graduates will select “apply” on the posting and create or sign into a USAJOBS.gov account. USAJOBS recommends students and recent graduates use a personal email address so that they do not lose access to it after they graduate. Applicants will upload their Schedule A letter and an unofficial or official transcript from the school they currently attend or recently graduated from. Students and recent graduates have until October 11 to complete this step. After they have submitted, WRP staff will email applicants directly regarding their registration and document submission.
- The second step occurs after WRP staff have confirmed the student or recent graduate is eligible for WRP based on reviewing their uploaded documents. Eligible students and recent graduates will receive an email by early November inviting them to create a WRP Talent Program profile, where they will upload a resume (two pages or less) and provide information detailing their academic and work history as well as their career interests. This profile and resume will be made available to federal hiring managers for one year.
- All WRP candidates must be eligible to be hired under the Schedule A hiring authority for persons with disabilities. Proof of disability is required for the WRP application process and will be collected upfront as part of the registration process If a federal employer contacts a WRP participant about a job opportunity and wants to hire them, a Human Resources official from the federal agency will ask for the Schedule A letter to extend an internship or job offer to a candidate.Schedule A letters do not expire, so candidates can continue to use the letter in the future for federal hiring, even outside of the WRP.
For more information visit WRP.gov
Who Can Apply?
Students and recent graduates can apply to WRP if they:
- have a psychiatric or physical disability and are eligible under the Schedule A hiring authority
- are a U.S. citizen or national (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
- are enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate degree-seeking student on a substantially full-time basis OR have graduated with a degree on or after April 1, 2024.
New and returning WRP applicants must register and complete an application each year to continue to participate. Please use a computer or tablet to register and apply.
Registration and Application Deadline:
Registration closes on October 4, 2026 All application materials must be submitted on the website by 11:59pm PST. You will need time to get your registration approved, submit your resume, transcript, and your Schedule A letter and complete your application by the October 11th deadline, so please don’t delay!
Sample Schedule A letters can be found on the WRP website below.
For more information or questions about WRP, please contact Sue Atkins, WRP School Coordinator at susan.atkins@tufts.edu. Fletcher students should reach out to Caitlin Hughes at Caitlin.Hughes@tufts.edu.
You can also view the portal for students to learn more about the program on the Workforce Recruitment Program Website: Students – Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
