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.
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 during the first year of graduate study. Reimbursement for books and some travel may be paid. Fellows must commit to pursuing a graduate degree in international studies at one of the graduate schools participating in the program. Participating graduate schools provide financial support in the second year of graduate study based on need.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
The Award
In 2010, financial support of up to $50,000 annually towards tuition and mandatory fees (excluding health insurance), living stipend (based on the institution’s room and board rate), reimbursement for books and some travel may be paid during the senior year and during the first year of graduate study, pending availability of funding. Participating schools provide financial support in the second year of graduate study based on need.
Two Summer Internships
Fellows must participate in one overseas and one domestic summer internship within the U.S. Department of State. Students 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.
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.