3 Must Know Foreign Service Fellowships

3 Must Know Foreign Service Fellowships

If you are looking into graduate school and are considering a career in the U.S. Foreign Service, please consider the following fellowships.

The Rangel, Pickering, and Payne fellowships are programs that aims to “attract outstanding young people” for careers in the Foreign Service. Rangel and Pickering fellows enter the Foreign Service through the U.S. State Department. Payne fellows become USAID Foreign Service Officers. Each fellowship provides academic funding, mentorship, and support for fellows as they prepare for careers in the Foreign Service through the State Department or USAID. The U.S. Department of State funds the Rangel and Pickering Fellowship programs. USAID funds the Payne Fellowship program. Each fellowship encourages women, those with financial need, and members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the State Department or USAID to apply.

Highlighted below are the differences between these seemingly similar fellowships.

Foreign Service Fellowships

Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship

Internships Fellows participate in two internships, domestically and internationally. Before their first year of graduate school, fellows intern on Capitol Hill for 10 weeks, working on international issues for a member of Congress. Between their first and second year of graduate school, fellows intern at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate around the world.

Financial Support Each fellow receives up to $42,000 annually, covering tuition, room and board, mandatory fees, books, and an academic year stipend. Of this amount, $24,000 is designated for tuition and mandatory fees, while $18,000 is allocated for the academic year stipend.

Additionally, fellows receive a stipend during their summer internships that help with living costs. Housing for domestic and overseas internships is provided. Transportation for overseas internships is also included.

Orientation Fellows participate in an orientation at Howard University in mid-May. This orientation takes place before the fellow’s first internship. According to the Rangel website, the orientation is designed to “to enhance their understanding of, and skills for, Foreign Service careers.”

Curriculum Fellows must earn graduate degrees in a field relevant to the U.S. State Department. Graduate degree programs must be approved by the Rangel program.

Application Deadline September

For more information about the Rangel Fellowship, click here.

The Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Fellowship Program

Internships Fellows participate in two internships, domestically and internationally. Between their first and second year of graduate school, fellows intern at the U.S. Department of State, headquartered in Washington, D.C. After their second year of graduate school, fellows will intern at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas.

Financial Support Each fellow receives up to $42,000 annually, which goes toward tuition, room and board, mandatory fees, books, and a stipend during the academic year. $24,000 is issued for tuition and mandatory fees. $18,000 is allocated for an academic year stipend.

Fellows receive an additional stipend during their summer internships that help with living costs. Housing for domestic and overseas internships is provided. The internship overseas includes plane tickets.

Orientation Fellows participate in an orientation at Howard University in early June. Then, the following summer, fellows will complete their domestic internship at the Department of State. According to the Pickering website, the orientation is designed to “ to enhance their understanding of, and skills for, Foreign Service careers.

Curriculum Fellows must earn graduate degrees in a field relevant to the U.S. State Department. The Pickering program approves graduate degree programs.

Application Deadline: September

For more information about the Pickering Fellowship, click here.

USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship

Internships Fellows participate in a domestic and international internship. During the first internship, fellows work on international issues in Washington, D.C., the summer before the first year of graduate school. Between their first and second years of graduate school, fellows will intern at an overseas USAID mission.

Financial Support Fellows receive up to $104,000 for a two year period or $52,000 annually, which goes toward tuition, room and board, mandatory fees, books, and a stipend during the academic year. $24,000 is issued for tuition and mandatory fees; $18,000 is allocated for an academic year, as a stipend, for housing, books, and other educational-related expenses.

Fellows receive an additional stipend (up to $10,000) during their summer internships that help with living costs. Housing for domestic and overseas internships is provided. The internship overseas includes plane tickets.

Orientation Fellows participate in an orientation at Howard University in May. This orientation takes place before the fellow’s first internship. The orientation enhances participants’ understanding of, and skills for, Foreign Service careers.

Curriculum Graduate degrees must be relevant to work at USAID. The Payne program approves graduate degree programs.

Application Deadline October

For more information about the Payne fellowship, click here.

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