Pickering Undergraduate Fellowship

National deadline:  February 7, 2013 for the online application
                                February 18, 2013 for supporting materials

Eligibility requirements:

•    United States citizens
•    junior year of undergraduate study
•    cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale at the time of application
•    cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale throughout participation in the program

Award summary and conditions:

The U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program was renamed the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program to honor one of the most distinguished and capable American diplomats of the latter half of the 20th century. Mr. Pickering held the rank of Career Ambassador, the highest rank in the U.S. Foreign Service. He served as Ambassador to Nigeria, El Salvador, Israel, India, and the Russian Federation, finishing his career as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.

The Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. The fellowship award includes funding toward tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees during the senior year of college and during the first year of graduate study. Reimbursement for books and some travel may be paid. Fellows must commit to pursuing a graduate degree in international studies at one of the graduate schools participating in the program. Participating graduate schools provide financial support in the second year of graduate study based on need.

Program Components:

• In 2013, financial support of up to $40,000 annually for actual expenses for the senior year of college and the first year of graduate study. This funding is to help cover tuition costs first then room and board, books, laboratory fees, and one round trip ticket per academic year between the Fellow’s residence and the academic institution pending availability of funding. Participating schools provide financial support in the second year of graduate study based on need.
• Two Summer Internships:  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.
• 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 three years of service in an appointment as a Foreign Service Officer. Candidates must be able to obtain medical, security and suitability clearances in order to remain in the program. Candidates who do not successfully complete the fellowship program and fail to meet Foreign Service entry requirements may be subject to a reimbursement obligation to the U.S. Department of State.

Application process:

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 website, and email addresses for two recommenders. Your recommenders will be required to submit their recommendations using an online form that also includes a rubric. Electronic or hard copies of the following supporting documents must be received on or before the application deadline:

•    Certification of U.S. citizenship: copy of U.S. passport, birth certificate, or U.S. citizen naturalization papers
•    Copy of SAT or ACT scores
•    official academic transcripts from every undergraduate school attended

In addition:

•    All applicants who receive or received financial aid must also provide a copy of their most recent financial aid letter that lists grants or loans. They must also provide a copy of the Student Aid Report (SAR), which indicates the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) number. The SAR is generated from the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.  Applicants who have not received financial aid do not need to provide the Student Aid Report (SAR) These applicants must submit a brief statement indicating their funding source.

Send all supporting documents to:
Dr. Caryl Loney-McFarlane
Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program
The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation
P.O. Box 2437
Princeton, NJ 08543-2437

Faxed documents will not be accepted

Selection process: 

Consideration will be given to qualified applicants who, in addition to outstanding leadership skills and academic achievement, demonstrate financial need. The number of fellowships will be determined by available funding. Finalists will attend an interview session in Washington, D.C.; the program pays the costs of transportation to the interview. Those selected as new Fellows will attend an orientation in Washington, D.C. Medical and security clearances will be required for program participation.

Faculty Representative:  Keith Raether

Contact information: http://www.woodrow.org/higher-education-fellowships/foreign_affairs/pickering_undergrad/index.php