Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs/Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program

"The Secretary of State may make grants to post-secondary educational institutions or students for the purpose of increasing the level of knowledge and awareness of and interest in employment with the Foreign Service, consistent with section 105 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980. To the extent possible, the Secretary shall give special emphasis to promoting such knowledge and awareness of, and interest in employment with the Foreign Service among minority students. Any grants awarded shall be made pursuant to regulations to be established by the Secretary of State, which shall provide for a limit on the size of any specific grant and, regarding any grants to individuals, shall ensure that no grant recipient receives an amount of grants from one or more Federal programs which in the aggregate would exceed the cost of his or her education, and shall require satisfactory educational progress by grantees as a condition of eligibility for continued receipt of grant funds." — PUBLIC LAW 101-246, 101st Congress, 104 STAT.42 Section 47

Are you an outstanding undergraduate student? Do you think you may be interested in pursuing a Foreign Service career with the U.S. Department of State? If so, you should consider applying for a Pickering Fellowship.
Eligibility Requirements

• Undergraduate Fellowships are open to students enrolled in their sophomore year of college at the time of Student Programs application
• Students who will have received their bachelor's degree by June 2008 and will be enrolled in the first year of a two-year full-time master's degree program relevant to international affairs for the 2008-2009 academic year are eligible for the Graduate Fellowship
• Only United States citizens will be considered for the Pickering Fellowships
• Women, members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial need are encouraged to apply

Compensation and Benefits

• Extensive academic financial support beginning in the junior year of undergraduate study or the first year of a two-year graduate program
• Reimbursement for one round-trip travel per year between home and school
• Stipends during one domestic and one overseas summer internship

How to Apply
The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship or Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship application consists of an online application, as well as the following supporting documents: a personal statement, Employment Data Form, GRE form, certification of citizenship, two letters of recommendation, official academic transcripts, an official Student Aid Report, which indicates your estimated family contribution, and a resume (2 pages maximum).

http://www.careers.state.gov/students/ug_students.html

Jessa