Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship
Masters Programs @Fellowships posted 2 weeks agoJob Description
Job Description: A flagship State Department fellowship that attracts top talent to represent America abroad. It is a merit-and-need-based program preparing Fellows for Foreign Service careers through funded graduate education, internships, and professional training. Fellows pursue two-year master’s degrees in fields relevant to international relations and, after completion, join the U.S. Foreign Service.
Role Description: Pickering Fellows receive financial support for graduate school and commit to the Foreign Service upon completion. They attend an orientation, receive mentoring, and must fulfill two summer internships: one at the State Department headquarters in Washington and one at a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas. After completing all requirements (including Foreign Service exams and clearances), Fellows receive specialized training and enter the Foreign Service, serving as U.S. diplomats in Washington, D.C., and abroad.
Application Cycle: Annual (applications open in spring; Fellows are selected in the fall for the next academic year)
What You’ll Need:
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- U.S. citizenship (required)
- Admission to or plans to attend a two-year master’s program in a field related to Foreign Service (e.g. international affairs, public policy, economics)
- Minimum 3.2 undergraduate GPA (required)
- Demonstrated financial need and commitment to public service and diversity in diplomacy
Preferred or Required Qualifications:
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- Required: Bachelor’s degree earned or soon to be earned; strong academic record and leadership skills
- Preferred: Experience with international studies or languages; involvement with underserved communities (to support the program’s diversity goals)
- Ability to obtain State Department medical, security, and suitability clearance; agreement to a 5-year service obligation as a Foreign Service Officer
Benefits and Perks:
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- Funding up to $42,000 per year for two years of graduate school (covers tuition up to $24,000/year and a living stipend of $18,000/year)
- Two fully-funded internships (one domestic at the State Department and one overseas at a U.S. mission), including travel and housing support
- Mentorship by senior Foreign Service Officers and professional development workshops
- Fast track into a career as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer upon completing degree and fellowship obligations
Where and How You Can Apply:
Official Website: pickeringfellowship.org – Apply— Complete the online application (personal statement, two letters of recommendation, financial documentation, etc.). Finalists are interviewed in the fall.
