The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship

The Pickering Undergraduate Fellowship selects undergraduate students in their junior year of college.

Mission

The Thomas R. Pickering Undergraduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship program provides funding to participants as they are prepared academically and professionally to enter the United States Department of State Foreign Service. Women, members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial need are encouraged to apply.
The Pickering Undergraduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship seeks to recruit talented students in academic programs relevant to international affairs, political and economic analysis, administration, management, and science policy. The goal is to attract outstanding students from all ethnic, racial, and social backgrounds who have an interest in pursuing a Foreign Service career in the U.S. Department of State. The Program develops a source of trained men and women from academic disciplines representing the skill needs of the Department, who are dedicated to representing America's interests abroad.

Fellowship Information

In the 2012 Fellowships, financial support of up to $40,000 annually for actual expenses for the senior year of college and the first year of graduate study will be provided by the Department of State through the Woodrow Wilson Foundation. This funding is to help cover tuition costs first then room and board, books, mandatory fees, and one round trip ticket per academic year between the Fellow's residence and his/her academic institution, pending availability of funds. Participating schools provide financial support in the second year of graduate study based on need.

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

Eligibility requirements include the following:

• Only individuals who are United States citizens at the time of application will be considered.
• Applicants must be in the junior year of undergraduate study.
• Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.
• A cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale must be maintained throughout participation in the program.

·         Consideration will be given to qualified applicants who demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and academic achievement in programs relevant to the work of the U.S. Department of State, such as international affairs, management, communications, history, political science, economics, and foreign languages. Consideration will also be given to candidates who demonstrate financial need. The number of fellowships will be determined by available funding.

·         Finalists will be invited to participate in an interview process.

Application materials are found at: http://www.woodrow.org/higher-education-fellowships/foreign_affairs/pickering_undergrad/application.php
NOTE: The application for the 2012 Thomas Pickering Undergraduate Fellowship competition is now open. All application materials must be received by February 3, 2012.