Calling applications for the Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program 2025!
The Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program is a program funded by the U.S. Department of State, administered by Howard University, that attracts and prepares outstanding young people for Foreign Service careers in the U.S. Department of State. It welcomes the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the State Department, women, and those with a demonstrated financial need for graduate school. Based on the fundamental principle that diversity is a strength in our diplomatic efforts, the program values varied backgrounds, including ethnic, racial, social, and geographic diversity.
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The Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship was established in 1992 as the U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program as an initiative of former Director General of the Foreign Service and Ambassador to South Africa, Edward J. Perkins. In 2001, the fellowship was named to honor one of the most distinguished American diplomats, Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering. Ambassador Pickering is dedicated to the cause of the fellowship that carries his name and actively supports and participates in events to promote the professional development of the fellows.
The program continues to ensure that the Foreign Service reflects the face of America to foreign audiences and provides a source of trained women and men who are dedicated to pursuing Foreign Service careers with the Department of State and representing America’s interests abroad. More than 600 fellows have joined the Foreign Service and are currently representing the United States around the world.
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The Pickering Fellowship served as the model for the subsequent establishment of the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship, the USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship, the Foreign IT Fellowship Program and the Clarke DS Fellowship Program.
The Pickering Program offers graduate fellowships to outstanding seniors and college graduates who want to join the Foreign Service. These fellowships help finance two-year graduate programs, provide two summer internships, mentoring from a Foreign Service Officer, and other professional development activities.
Benefits
- The Pickering Program plans to award 45 fellowships of up to $42,000 annually for a two-year period for tuition, room, board, books, and mandatory fees for completion of two-year master’s degrees. This includes up to $24,000 per year for tuition and mandatory fees and an academic year stipend of $18,000.
- Fellows must obtain graduate degrees in international affairs or a related subject such as public administration, public policy, international relations, business administration, economics, history, political science, communications, or foreign languages at a graduate school approved by the Pickering Program. Law degrees do not satisfy this requirement. Fellows are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 throughout their period of study. Applicants apply to two-year graduate programs at U.S.-based universities separately from their application to the Pickering Program.
- Fellows will participate in a weeklong orientation at Howard University during June 2025. The purpose of this orientation is to familiarize the Fellows with all aspects of the fellowship and to enhance their understanding of, and skills for, Foreign Service careers.
- Fellows will participate in two internships. The first, an internship working at the U.S. Department of State headquarters in Washington, DC, will occur in the summer in between their first and second year of graduate study. The second internship will be an overseas placement in a U.S. Embassy or Consulate that takes place during the summer after fellow’s graduation. The program provides additional support for summer travel, housing, and other related expenses.
- Fellows will receive mentoring from Foreign Service Officers for the duration of the fellowship.
Eligibilities
This is a highly selective program. To be eligible to participate, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.
- Seek admission to a two-year, full-time, on-campus, master’s degree program at a U.S.-based graduate institution to begin in the fall of 2025 in an academic field relevant to the work of the Foreign Service (public policy, international affairs, public administration, business, economics, political science, management science, organizational development/leadership, sociology, or regional studies).
Application Process
Completed applications will include the following materials:
- Personal Background Information
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Personal statement (600 words or less) that discusses the applicants’ reasons for applying, interest in international affairs, commitment to pursue a career in the Foreign Service of the Department of State, and any relevant experience or information.
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Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can explain why you are uniquely qualified for the fellowship. One letter must be from a professor, faculty member, or instructor. The other letter may be from someone else familiar with your college, volunteer, work, or community activities. Note: Applicants will include contact information for recommenders in the online application. Recommenders will be sent an email with instructions to submit letters electronically.
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A statement of financial need (400 words or less) that discusses the applicant’s need for financial assistance to attend graduate school, including an explanation of financial assistance received during undergraduate studies; overall education-related debt; and, ability/plans to pay for graduate school independently.
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Official financial aid award letter from the applicants last year of undergraduate studies if she/he received financial aid. Applicants must submit a Financial Aid Letter listing grants or loans unless they did not receive aid.
- Applicants will upload this into the application using PDF format. Submission Summary often takes several days to generate after filling out the FAFSA. Applicants must complete the FAFSA even if they are not currently enrolled in a college or university.
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Proof of U.S. citizenship, which may include a copy of (choose one) a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or certificate of naturalization. Applicants are required to bring originals to the interview if selected as a finalist.
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Transcripts from All Colleges and Universities the Applicant has Attended for Credit.
- A copy of GRE/GMAT scores report sent to the student (optional).
Application Deadline: September 25, 2024
Application ClosedOfficial link
