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THOMAS R. PICKERING FOREIGN AFFAIRS FELLOWSHIP

Eligibility:		For the undergraduate fellowships: College sophomore, United States citizen or national, women and men and women of minority groups traditionally underrepresented in the U. S. State Department’s Office of Foreign Affairs. For the graduate fellowships, in addition to the requirements listed above, at time of application, candidates must be seeking admission to graduate school for the following academic year. Winners are expected to enroll in a two-year full-time master's degree program (such as public policy, international affairs, public administration, or academic fields such as business, economics, political science, sociology or foreign languages). U.S. graduate institutions only
Duration:		3 years for the undergraduate fellowships (junior and senior years plus the first year of graduate school). Two years of support for the graduate fellowships.
Award:		Tuition, room, board, fees, books and one round trip travel for all three years. Graduate award covers same items. Undergraduates also receive funding for mandatory participation in two summer internships and one summer institute. Minimum GPA of 3.2 must be maintained throughout the program. WINNERS MUST SERVE A MINIMUM TERM OF FOUR AND A HALF YEARS AS A FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICER.
Holy Cross procedure:		The complete FAF application packet consists of an official application form and all supporting documents (personal statement, Employment Data Form; SAT Form; certification of citizenship; two letters of recommendation; official academic transcript and financial aid transcript). The application can be accessed from the website for this program. The Graduate Studies Office is eager to assist potential applicants in all phases of the application process.
Then what:		The deadline is typically at the end of February. The 2009 date is TBA.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The fellowship program is funded by the United States Department of State and administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation (WWNFF). The Department of State seeks a Foreign Service that represents America in world affairs with citizens who reflect the diversity and excellence of our society. The program 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.

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 with reimbursement for books and one round-trip travel. The Fellow must commit to pursuing a graduate degree in international studies at one of the graduate schools identified by the WWNFF. Participating graduate schools provide financial support in the second year of graduate study based on need. Fellows meet annually in Washington, DC for a program orientation.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

JUNIOR YEAR SUMMER INSTITUTE. Attendance is required between the junior and senior years of college at one of five graduate schools of public policy and international affairs. The typical seven-week institute curriculum consists of course work in economics, calculus, and policy analysis, with exercises to develop oral and written communication skills. Institute participants include students from a number of public policy and international affairs fellowship programs.

TWO SUMMER INTERNSHIPS. Graduate-level Fellows receive stipends during participation in one overseas and one domestic internship within the United States Department of State.

CORE CURRICULUM. By graduation, college course work must be completed in the following or the equivalent: English Composition, Western Civilization, U.S. Political Systems, Principles of Economics, U.S. History, Modern Non-Western History, Comparative Politics, International Trade or World Finance or Economic Development, and Geography.

MENTORING. Guidance from a Foreign Service Officer is provided during the graduate school segment of the program.

TESTING. Fellows must meet Department of State Foreign Service entry requirements.

CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT. Each successful candidate is obligated to a minimum of four and one half years service in an appointment as a Foreign Service Officer. Candidates who do not successfully complete the Program and Foreign Service entry requirements may be subject to a reimbursement obligation to the Department of State.

For additional information please visit the Pickering Scholarship Website at http://www.woodrow.org/fellowships/index.php

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