Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Program 2024

Application Deadline: September 26, 2024

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. 

Eligibility Requirements

• The Pickering Fellowship Program aims to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State in which they can help formulate, represent, and implement U.S. foreign policy.
• The program selects outstanding fellows annually in a highly competitive nationwide process and supports them through two years of graduate study, internships, mentoring, and professional development activities. 
• This is a highly selective program. To be eligible to participate, you 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).

Program Components

The Award

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.

The Degree

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.

Orientation

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.

Two Summer Internships (Domestic and Overseas)

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.

Mentoring

Fellows will receive mentoring from Foreign Service Officers for the duration of the fellowship.

How to Apply

Completed applications will include the following materials.

• Personal Background Information (e.g., name, contact information, language skills).

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.

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. Recommendation Form

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.

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.

FASFA Submission Summary for the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Applicants will upload this into the application using PDF format. Please remember that the 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.

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.

Transcripts from All Colleges and Universities the Applicant has Attended for Credit

Please upload university-generated transcripts. An official transcript would be best; a student copy is acceptable if it is in the format of an official transcript (must list your name, institution name, and most recent/final GPA). **If you are selected for an interview, you will have to bring an official transcript in a signed, sealed envelope, to the interview.

A Copy of GRE/GMAT Scores

A copy of GRE/GMAT scores report sent to the student (optional).

Timeline

• Application Closes: September 26, 2024
• Finalists Notified: November 8, 2024
• Finalist Interviews: December 4-5, 2024
• Award Offers Made to 45 Finalists: December 6, 2024

More Info: Thomas R. PickeringGraduate Foreign Affairs Program