NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFICE –
State Department Foreign Service Scholarships
Are you aiming at a career in Diplomacy or International
Development? Are you interested in joining the Foreign Service of the US
Department of State or the US Agency for International Development (USAID)?
The Pickering, Payne, and Rangel
Fellowship programs seek young men and women who are dedicated to
representing America's interests abroad. Students with financial need,
women, and members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the
State Department or USAID Foreign Services, are encouraged to apply. Pickering, Payne, and Rangel awards provide financial
support for two years of graduate study (and one year of undergraduate study
also for junior-year Pickering awardees), as well as summer internship
placements and mentoring programs. See more detailed information below.
Who can apply: U.S. Citizens; GPA of 3.2 or higher
required; Graduating Seniors and Recent Grads are eligible to apply
for Pickering, Payne, and Rangel Fellowships; Juniors
are eligible to apply for the Pickering Undergraduate Fellowship; full-time
undergraduate students who are eligible to apply for the Rangel Summer
Enrichment program. Students with financial need, women, and members of
minority groups historically underrepresented in the State Department or USAID
Foreign Services, are encouraged to apply.
PLEASE NOTE: Successful Pickering, Payne, and Rangel Foreign
Affairs Fellowship applicants are obligated to complete a minimum term of
service in an appointment as a Foreign Service officer. The service obligation
DOES NOT apply to Summer Enrichment program participants. See more details
about each program below.
INFORMATION SESSIONS: Learn more about the Pickering
and Rangel Foreign Service programs by attending an information workshop at the
National Scholarships Office. Please RSVP to
scholarships@umd.edu for the session you
plan to attend – if you are interested but cannot attend, please write us at
the same address.
Thursday, November 29 at 4 pm – 2403 Marie Mount Hall
Friday, November 30 at 4 pm – 2403 Marie Mount Hall
Monday, December 3 at 12 noon – 2403 Marie Mount Hall
Tuesday, December 4 at 12 noon – 2403 Marie Mount Hall
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FOR GRADUATING SENIORS AND RECENT GRADUATES:
PAYNE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
Who can apply: Who can apply: US Citizens – Graduating
Seniors, Recent Graduates – 3.2 GPA or higher required – All Majors – Students
with financial need, women, and members of minority groups historically
underrepresented in the Foreign Service, are encouraged to apply.
The USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate
Fellowship Program seeks to attract outstanding young people who are interested
in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID). If you want to work on the front lines of some of the most
pressing global challenges of our times — poverty, hunger, injustice, disease,
environmental degradation, climate change, conflict and violent extremism – the
Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development provides an
opportunity to advance U.S. foreign policy interests and reflect the American
people's compassion and support of human dignity. The Payne Fellowship, which
provides up to $90,000 in benefits over two years for graduate school,
internships, and professional development activities, provides a unique pathway
to the USAID Foreign Service. The Payne Fellowship encourages the application
of members of minority groups who have historically been underrepresented in
international development careers and those with financial need.
Application Deadline: January 23, 2013
PICKERING GRADUATE FOREIGN AFFAIRS FELLOWSHIP
Who can apply: US Citizens – Graduating Seniors, Recent
Graduates – 3.2 GPA or higher required – All Majors – Students with financial
need, women, and members of minority groups historically underrepresented in
the Foreign Service, are encouraged to apply.
Description: The Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign
Affairs Fellowship program provides funding to outstanding students who are
planning to enter the United States Department of State Foreign Service.
The Pickering Fellowship provides financial support to for two-year master's
degree programs in public policy, international affairs, public administration,
or academic fields such as business, economics, political science, sociology,
or foreign languages. The program also provides State Department mentoring and
internship opportunities. Each successful candidate is obligated to a minimum
of three years of service in an appointment as a Foreign Service officer.
Application Deadline: January 21, 2013
RANGEL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
Who Can Apply: US Citizens – Graduating Seniors, Recent
Graduates – GPA of 3.2 or higher required – All Majors – Women, members of
minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and
students with financial need are encouraged to apply.
Description: The Charles B. Rangel International
Affairs Fellowship Program seeks to attract and educate outstanding young
people who desire a career in the Foreign Service. Funded by the U.S.
Department of State, these Fellowships prepare students to enter exciting and
rewarding careers in public service as Foreign Service Officers. The Rangel
Program encourages the involvement of members of minority groups and those with
financial need. In this manner, it advances the goal of creating an excellent
and diverse U.S. Foreign Service that represents the rich range of talents and
expertise of the American people. Each Rangel Fellow who obtains a master’s
degree is committed to a minimum of three years of service in an appointment as
a Foreign Service Officer.
Application Deadline: January 18, 2013
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FOR JUNIORS:
PICKERING UNDERGRADUATE FOREIGN AFFAIRS FELLOWSHIP
Who Can Apply: US Citizens – Juniors – GPA of 3.2 or
higher required – All majors – Students with financial need, women, and members
of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, are
encouraged to apply.
Description: The Pickering Undergraduate Foreign
Affairs Fellowship program was created by the US State Department to attract
outstanding students from all ethnic, racial, and social backgrounds who are
interested in pursuing careers as Foreign Service officers. Foreign Service
officers staff U.S. embassies, consulates, and missions worldwide and also
serve in Washington, D.C. Their responsibilities include policy analysis,
formulation, and execution; management of resources; the provision of services
to Americans in need; implementation of U.S. immigration and nationality law;
trade promotion and business facilitation; public diplomacy; and representation
of U.S. interests. The Pickering Fellowship program seeks to recruit talented
juniors majoring in fields relevant to international affairs, political and
economic analysis, administration, management, and science policy. Each
successful candidate is obligated to a minimum of three years of service in an
appointment as a Foreign Service officer.
Application Deadline: February 7, 2013
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FOR SENIORS, JUNIORS, SOPHOMORES, AND ADVANCED FRESHMEN
RANGEL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
Who Can Apply: U.S.
Citizens – Full-time undergraduate students (Freshmen see note below) – GPA of
3.2 or higher required – All Majors– Students with financial need,
women, and members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the
Foreign Service, are encouraged to apply. IMPORTANT:
The selection committee my consider students who have completed their freshman
year if these students have outstanding academic backgrounds and significant
international experience.
Description: The
Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program is designed
to provide students with a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends in
international affairs, greater understanding of career opportunities in
international affairs, and the enhanced knowledge and skills to pursue such
careers. The Program encourages the involvement of African American and other
minority group students. Students who take part in the Program are referred to
as Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Scholars (Rangel Scholars). This
program takes place at Howard University in Washington DC for six weeks
beginning in mid-June. It includes academic courses and additional seminars and
visits to give students exposure to key policymakers and practitioners of
international affairs.
Academics: During this
program, students receive intensive instruction in three courses: Political
Economy, History of U.S. Foreign Relations and Writing. Nine semester hours of
academic credit may be awarded.
Outside Activities: To enhance their understanding of the conduct of U.S.
foreign policy and international career options, Program participants meet with
Executive Branch policymakers, Members of Congress, representatives of
non-governmental organizations, foreign government officials and other
individuals involved in international relations. In recent years, participants
have visited the State Department, Capitol Hill, the Central Intelligence
Agency, the World Bank, the United Nations, the Pentagon and the National
Foreign Affairs Training Center. Award Amount: Students who
are accepted receive tuition, travel, room and board, as well as a $3,500
stipend for the program.
Application Deadline: Deadlines: February 8, 2013