The Thomas R. Pickering
Foreign Affairs Fellowship
About the Program
The U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program was renamed the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program to honor one of the most distinguished and capable American diplomats of the latter half of the 20th century. Mr. Pickering held the rank of Career Ambassador, the highest rank in the U.S. Foreign Service. He served as Ambassador to Nigeria, El Salvador, Israel, India, and the Russian Federation, finishing his career as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. For more information on Ambassador Pickering, please visit the US Department of State website.
The Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. The fellowship award includes funding toward tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees during the senior year of college and the first year of graduate study. Reimbursement for books and some travel may be paid, pending availability of funds. Fellows must commit to pursuing a graduate degree at one of the graduate schools participating in the program, in fields such as international studies, international affairs, public policy, administration, economics, political science or foreign languages. Participating graduate schools, full-member APSIA schools, provide financial support in the second year of graduate study based on need. Please refer to the APSIA website for a listing of participating graduate schools.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
The Award
In 2012, financial support of up to $40,000 annually for actual expenses for the senior year of college and the first year of graduate study will be provided. This funding is to help cover tuition costs first, then room and board, books, mandatory fees, and one round trip ticket per academic year between the Fellow's residence and his/her academic institution pending availability of funds. Participating schools provide financial support in the second year of graduate study based on need.
Two Summer Internships
Fellows must participate in one ten-week overseas and one ten-week domestic summer internship within the U.S. Department of State. These internships provide students with valuable work experience in foreign affairs as they engage in the teamwork, the challenges, and the skills needed to perform the duties of a foreign service officer. Students also receive a stipend during the internships.
Mentoring
Guidance from a Foreign Service officer is provided during the graduate school segment of the program.
Testing
Fellows must meet Department of State Foreign Service entry requirements and take both the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) and the Foreign Service Oral Assessment (FSOA) at least once prior to the completion of the academic requirements for the Fellowship.
Contractual Agreement
Each successful candidate is obligated to a minimum of three years of service in an appointment as a Foreign Service Officer. Candidates must be able to obtain medical, security and suitability clearances in order to remain in the program. Candidates who do not successfully complete the fellowship program and fail to meet Foreign Service entry requirements may be subject to a reimbursement obligation to the U.S. Department of State.
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