The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship

U.S. Department of State

Deadline: Sep 21, 2026

To provide funding to participants as they are prepared academically and professionally to enter the United States Department of State Foreign Service. Qualifications: Applicants mut 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 previous year 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). Selection criteria: Selection panel will choose approximately 90 finalists by mid-November; Program staff will communicate decisions by email to both successful and unsuccessful applicants by the end of October. Candidates selected for final consideration will be invited to interview and complete a written exercise virtually. How to apply: Applicants mut be Personal background information; A personal statement (600 words or less); Two letters of recommendation; A statement of financial need (400 words or less); Official financial aid award letter from the applicant's last year of undergraduate studies; FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) for the academic year; Proof of U.S. citizenship, which may include a copy of (choose one) a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or certificate of naturalization; Transcripts from all colleges and universities the applicant has attended for credit; A copy of GRE/GMAT scores report sent to the student (optional). Focus: Business; Economics; Foreign languages; International affairs and relations; Political science; Public administration; Sociology.

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Eligibility