The Regional Studies Focus Project (RSFP) is a required program component for Foreign Area Officer (FAO) students in IPD, GGP, NPTS programs. The RSFP is similar to a thesis project and incorporates skills and knowledge from the degree program applied to a practical or theoretical research project. The RSFP typically is designed to build knowledge, skills and abilities that will be needed by the FAO in future assignments with Army. The FAO student takes the leading role in his/her learning under the direction of a faculty member. The FAO student has a fair amount of flexibility in selecting the research topic for the RSFP. At minimum, the student should incorporate the core skills of the degree program in the research proposal. The Proposal should include an outline, description of how the research will be conducted, defined deliverables, and specific timeframes by which the deliverables will be submitted. RSFP projects are reviewed by the faculty mentor of record and will be assigned a letter grade.