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Applications are open for the Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program 2025. The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program attracts and prepares outstanding young people for Foreign Service careers in the U.S. Department of State.
Opportunity Details
This program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and is collaboratively administered by Howard University and the Bureau of Global Talent Management via a cooperative agreement. It welcomes the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the State Department, women, and those with financial need. Based on the fundamental principle that diversity is a strength in their diplomatic efforts, the program values varied backgrounds, including ethnic, racial, gender, social, and geographic diversity.
The Pickering Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to promote positive change in the world. Upon successful completion of a two-year master's degree program and fulfillment of Foreign Service entry requirements, fellows have the opportunity to work as Foreign Service Officers in accordance with applicable law and State Department policy, serving in Washington, DC and at U.S. embassies, consulates, and diplomatic mission around the globe. Fellows also agree to a minimum five-year service commitment in the Department of State's Foreign Service. The five-year service commitment begins upon entry into the Foreign Service.
Successful applicants to the Pickering Fellowship receive:
Fellows who complete the program have the opportunity to:
To be eligible for the Pickering Fellowship, applicants must:
The program particularly welcomes applications from:
1. Register
Select the appropriate online program that best suits your application (eligibility information is specific to each program). Click on the "Register" link and complete and submit the registration form.
2. Login
Login to the award with your email and password.
3. Create
Create your online application. For a list of required information and attachments, please review the Application Requirements Guide.
4. Save
During the Call for Applications period, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section.
5. Submit
On completion, save your application as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column. Note: If an update is required prior to the Call for Applications period, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.
If you require assistance or additional information, please contact the Program staff at [email protected].
The Pickering selection panel will choose approximately 90 finalists by the early November. Program staff will communicate the Pickering selection panel's decisions by email to successful and unsuccessful applicants around that timeframe. Program staff will invite candidates selected for final consideration to participate in a virtual interview and a written exercise between December 4-5, 2024. The program will complete the selection process and make offers to 45 fellows by early December 2024.
Apply for Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program