The Thomas R. Pickering Undergraduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship

Description: 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. Each successful candidate is obligated to a minimum of four-and-one-half years' service in an appointment as a Foreign Service officer.
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. Attendance is required between the junior and senior years of college at a summer institute based at a graduate school of public policy and international affairs participating in the Pickering program.
Dollar Value: The fellowship award includes tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees during the
junior and senior years of college and during the first year of graduate study. Each year's award also includes reimbursement for books and for travel (one round trip per academic year, up to a set maximum amount).
Number of Fellowships: Varies.
Eligibility:
  • Only individuals who are United States citizens at the time of application will be considered.
  • Applicants must be in the sophomore 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.
Application Procedures: A completed application for the Thomas R. Pickering Undergraduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship includes both an online application form, which requires secure registration at the Woodrow Wilson Foundation Web site, and a series of hard-copy supporting documents, as follows:
  • Certification of U.S. citizenship: copy of U.S. passport, birth certificate, or U.S. citizen naturalization papers.
  • Copy of SAT scores.
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • Official academic transcripts from every undergraduate school attended.
  • Two page resume.
Deadline: February 9, 2011
Contact:
Dr. Richard Hope
Director Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program
The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation
P.O. Box 2437 Princeton, NJ 08543-2437
Fellowships Coordinator:
Name: Scott Handley, Honors College, University Hall 212
Phone: 417-836-6371