Pickering Fellowship

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The Pickering Fellowship provides funding for graduate school and internship opportunities to participants as they prepare academically and professionally to enter the United States Department of State Foreign Service. Women, members of groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial need are encouraged to apply.

Deadline: TBA

Value: Up to $42,000 annually for two years. Five-year service commitment to the Department of State's Foreign Service 

Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors and seniors seeking to enter graduate school at a US based institution; must be a U.S. citizen; must have at least a 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale at time of application

Major: Academic field relevant to foreign service

Nomination: Yes; Please contact the Office of National Fellowships.

Website: Pickering Fellowship

Pickering Application Deadlines

  • Application Deadline: TBA*

    *The 2026 application cycle for the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program has been postponed pending updates from the U.S. Department of State. We are awaiting further guidance from the State Department regarding future application cycles and will share updates as they become available.

Pickering Recommended Steps and Timeline

  1. Review the eligibility criteria to ensure you are eligible for the award. Review the Foreign Service Tracks and learn more about becoming a Foreign Service Officer. Review the eleven dimensions of a U.S. Foreign Service Officer 
  2. Submit your FAFSA (if you have not already).
  3. Complete drafts and revisions of Personal Statement and Statement of Financial Need.
  4. (1) Complete nomination agreement form, (2) Complete FERPA form and send to Office of National Fellowships (national.fellowships@unh.edu) to request a copy of your transcript. Request transcripts from any other university you attended and earned credits, and (3) Ask your letter writers if they are willing to write a recommendation for you (Note: We are happy to provide your recommenders feedback on their letters). 
  5. Apply by National Application Deadline
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