Are you interested in joining the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State, USAID, or Department of Agriculture? Do you want to make a positive change in the world? 

IMPORTANT: These programs seek applications from students and recent graduates who are U.S. citizens, and encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need. Sign up for an info session and see information about each of these awards below.:

The Pickering and Rangel Graduate Fellowships provide financial support through two years of graduate study, internships, mentoring, and professional development activities leading to an appointment in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State. 

The Payne International Development Fellowship provides similar support through two years leading to an appointment with the USAID Foreign Service.  

The FAS International Agricultural Fellowship provides financial support through two years of graduate study in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics or related field, internships, mentoring, and professional development activities leading to an appointment in the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the USDA.

The Foreign Affairs IT (FAIT) Fellowship is a two-year program that provides academic funding for an IT-related degree, internships, professional development and mentorship – culminating in an appointment in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State as an Information Management Specialist (IMS). NOTE: A program representative will hold a webinar on October 15 exclusively for UMD students. Let us know if you would like to stay informed.

The Clarke Diplomatic Security Fellowship Program is intended for talented students who want to pursue a master’s degree and a career as a Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent in the Foreign Service.

DEADLINES

• Applicants for the Rangel, Pickering, Payne, and FAS programs must be seeking admission to enter graduate school in the fall of 2025 for a two-year program at a U.S. university in an area of relevance to the Foreign Service. Clarke applicants must be seeking enrollment for fall 2026. 
• Applicants may be rising seniors or recent college graduates. FAIT program applicants must be at least rising sophomores, and should be majoring in an IT-related field.
• Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens.