The Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Fellowship Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Howard University. It prepares young people for Foreign Service careers in the Department of State and welcomes applications from minority groups historically underrepresented in the State Department, women, and those with financial need.
The Fellowship awards up to $37,500 annually for a two-year period for tuition, room, board, books, and mandatory fees for the completion of a two-year master’s. Fellows will participate in two summer internships and must commit to a minimum of five years of service in the Foreign Service.
Conditions of Eligibility
- Be a U.S. citizen
- 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, sociology, or foreign languages).
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale
Application Materials
- Personal background information
- Personal statement (600 words or less) on reasons for applying and interest in Foreign Service career
- Two letters of rec
- Statement of financial need with financial aid award letter from last year of undergraduate studies if awarded financial assistance; FAFSA Student Aid Report
- Proof of U.S. citizenship
- Transcripts
Application Deadline
The application is usually due late September. See website for more information.