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Office of National Scholarship Advisement
University of Mississippi

 

 

Pickering Fellowship

Open to:

Rising seniors and graduates

 

Application Deadlines

  • UM Deadline: None
  • National Deadline: September
  • Endorsement: Not required.

Description:

The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program provides graduate fellowships to qualified college seniors and college graduates committed to joining the Foreign Service.  The fellowship helps finance two-year graduate programs, provides two summer internships, offers mentoring from a Foreign Service Officer, and provides other professional development activities.  It welcomes the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the State Department, women, and those with financial need.

The Pickering Program awards 45 fellowships of up to $42,000 annually for a two-year period for tuition, room, board, books, and mandatory fees for completion of two-year master’s degrees.  This includes up to $24,000 per year for tuition and mandatory fees and an academic year stipend of $18,000. 

Upon successful completion of a two-year master’s degree program and fulfillment of fellowship and Foreign Service entry requirements, fellows have the opportunity to work as Foreign Service Officers with the U.S. Department of State, in accordance with applicable law and State Department policy, serving in Washington, DC or at a U.S. embassy, consulate, or diplomatic mission around the globe. Fellows also agree to a minimum five-year service commitment in the Department of State’s Foreign Service.  The five-year service commitment begins upon entry into the Foreign Service.

 

Application Procedure:

  • Completed online application (including personal background information, personal statement, a short essay, transcripts and a statement of financial need). 
  • Two letters of recommendation and proof of citizenship needed. 

 

Requirements: 

  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Seek admission to a two-year, full-time, on-campus, master’s degree program at a U.S.-based graduate institution to begin in the fall of 2022 in an academic field relevant to the work of the Foreign Service (public policy, international affairs, public administration, business, economics, political science, sociology, or foreign languages).
  • Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale

 

Videos and Workshops:

A Brief Overview of the 2021 Pickering Graduate Program 

 

Website:

https://pickeringfellowship.org/

 

 

Want to Apply?

 

There are many things you can do to become competitive for such awards. It all starts with becoming engaged with your classes, your professors, and your community–starting your freshman year!

The key to a strong application is…START EARLY! Follow these steps to schedule your appointment!

STEP 1: Look through the Handbook or Website to identify potential awards.

  • Each award description in the handbook or website includes eligibility, a description, application procedures, and links to videos/webinars.
  • Some awards identify “institutional endorsement required” or “institutional endorsement recommended”. In order to be endorsed by ONSA and the university of Mississippi you must have a complete application by the campus deadline.

STEP 2: Complete the Fellowship Interest Form (required)

STEP 3: Make an appointment with a Fellowship Advisor (strongly recommended)

STEP 4: If you apply for a national fellowship, you will need to complete the Nomination Permission Form and Waiver (required)