The U.S. Department of State Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program was renamed the Thomas R. Pickering Graduate 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.

The Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. The Department of State seeks a Foreign Service that represents America in world affairs with citizens who reflect the diversity and excellence of our society. The program seeks to recruit talented students in academic programs relevant to international affairs, political and economic analysis, administration, management, and science policy. The goal is to attract outstanding students from all ethnic, racial and social backgrounds who have an interest in pursuing a Foreign Service career in the U.S. Department of State. The fellowship develops a source of trained men and women from academic disciplines representing the skill needs of the Department who are dedicated to representing America's interests abroad.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

The Award

Tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees are paid for the first year and second year of graduate study, with reimbursement for books and travel (one round trip per academic year, up to a set maximum amount).

Internships

Graduate-level Fellows receive stipends during participation in one domestic summer internship between the first and second year of graduate school, and one summer overseas internship following the second year of graduate school.

Mentoring

Guidance from a Foreign Service officer is provided during graduate school.

Testing

Fellows must meet Department of State Foreign Service entry requirements.

Contractual Agreement

Each successful candidate is obligated to a minimum of three years’ service in an appointment as a Foreign Service officer. Candidates who do not successfully complete the program and Foreign Service entry requirements may be subject to a reimbursement obligation to the Department of State.