Overview

If you have ever considered a career serving the United States’ interests abroad, the Pickering Fellowship offers a truly unique opportunity to impact the world. Upon successful completion of a two-year master’s degree program and fulfillment of Foreign Service entry requirements, fellows have the opportunity to work as Foreign Service Officers, serving in Washington, D.C., or at a U.S. embassy, consulate, or diplomatic mission around the globe.

The Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Fellowship is a U.S. Department of State program administered by Howard University that seeks to attract and prepare outstanding young people, based on financial need, who represent ethnic, gender, social, and geographic diversity and have an interest in pursuing a Foreign Service career in the U.S. Department of State. The program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Have a cumulative GPA 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 2023 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)

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.

Application Status

Closed (will open in Spring 2024)

National Deadline

TBA

Learn more about the Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship