Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program
- Only individuals who are United States citizens at the time of application will be considered.
- Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- At the time of application, candidates must be seeking admission to graduate school for the following academic year. Winners are expected to enroll in a two-year, full-time master's degree program in either public policy, international affairs, public administration, or in an academic field such as business, economics, political science, sociology, or foreign languages (U.S. graduate institutions only).
- A cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale must be maintained throughout participation in the program.
Consideration will be given to qualified applicants who demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and academic achievement in programs relevant to the work of the U.S. Department of State, such as international affairs, management, communications, history, political science, economics, and foreign languages, and also to whether a candidate demonstrates financial need.
The Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program provides funding to participants as they are prepared academically and professionally to enter the United States Department of State Foreign Service. Women, members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial need are encouraged to apply.
The goal of the Fellowship Program is to attract outstanding students who enroll in two-year master's degree programs in public policy, international affairs, public administration, or academic fields such as business, economics, political science, sociology, or foreign languages, who represent all ethnic, racial and social backgrounds and who have an interest in pursuing a Foreign Service career in the U.S. Department of State. The program develops a source of trained men and women who will represent the skill needs of the Department and who are dedicated to representing America's interests abroad.
Application process includes completing an online application and mailing in the following:
- Certification of U.S. citizenship: copy of U.S. passport, birth certificate, or U.S. citizen naturalization papers
- Copy of GRE scores
- Two letters of recommendation
- Official academic transcripts from every undergraduate school attended
- Two page resumé
In addition, all applicants who receive(d) financial aid must also provide a copy of their most recent financial aid letter that lists grants or loans.
Send all supporting documents to:
Dr. Richard O. Hope
Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program
The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation
P.O. Box 2437
Princeton, NJ 08543-2437
This funding is to help cover tuition costs first then room and board, books, laboratory fees and one round- trip ticket per academic year between the Fellow’s residence and the academic institution, pending availability of funds.
In the 2011 Fellowships, financial support of up to $40,000 annually for actual expenses during the first and second years of graduate school.