International Affairs
International Affairs
International Affairs Scholarships and Programs in the U.S. for Graduating Seniors and Graduate Students
Americorps Programs Americorps
AmeriCorps is based in the U.S., but students interested in international development could gain relevant skills through participating in one of these programs. Americorps offers several programs for recent graduates, including AmeriCorps NCCC, a 10 month residential team-based disaster preparedness and response program for students up to the age of 24; Americorps State and National, where partipants complete 300-1,700 hours of service on projects focused on critical community needs; and Americorps VISTA, where participants work for a year with an organization focused on alleviating poverty. Americorps VISTA students, for example, could apply to work locally with the Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENDD). The programs typically offer a modest stipend to cover room and board, health insurance, and a payment of about $5900 towards education or student loans OR an $1800 stipend upon completion of the program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
As stated on their website, "the Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program is a social justice program that trains, inspires, and sustains leaders. Fellows gain field experience fighting hunger and poverty through placements in community based organizations across the country, and policy experience through placements in Washington, D.C. The program bridges community-based efforts and national public policy, and fellows develop as effective leaders in the movement to end hunger and poverty." The program is looking for flexible and adaptable recent graduates who are passionate about social justice and ending hunger and poverty, committed to racial equality, and have experience working in low-income communities. In addition to training and mentoring, the program pays fellows about $36,000 for the year, which runs from August to July. Applications are due January 10. Although fellows work in the U.S., this program would provide valuable training and experience for students who are also interested in international development.
FBI College Hiring Initiative FBI Program
For students interested in national security, the FBI offers a Collegiate Hiring Initiative for recent graduates from a wide variety of majors. Applicants to the program must have at least a 2.95 or better GPA, pass all of the FBI employment background investigations, and be able to receive a Top Secret security clearance. Assignments are based on the current skills needed by the FBI. Needless to say, this program is extremely competitive. Applications usually come out in August for the following year.
Gaither Junior Fellows, Carnegie Endowment For International Peace: Gaither
These extremely competitive and prestigious fellowships offer graduating seniors interested in policy research an opportunity to work as a research assistant at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington D.C. on a variety of topics including nuclear policy, climate change and environment, cyber policy, US policy etc. According to the website, fellows may "conduct research for books, co-author journal articles and policy papers, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony, and organize briefings attended by scholars, journalists, and government officials." Applicants are asked to write a 3 page essay on the specific topic that interests them, submit their CV, transcript, and a one-page statement of purpose. Applications may only be submitted through your university, and each university can only nominate two students. Outstanding Rowan students who are interested in applying for a Gaither Fellowship should contact the campus representative, Dr. Corinne Blake, blake@rowan.edu, for more information and an application. Rowan's campus deadline is in early December and final applications are due Jan 15. Fellows are paid $39,500 for the year with a full benefits package.
Legacy Award of the Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc. Legacy Award
This is a $5000 annual scholarship for students pursuing advanced degrees related to improving national security and terrorism prevention. They are looking for candidates with "a capacity for leadership...a record of high academic or professional achievement, and...clearly defined career interests with evidence of potential for professional accomplishments related to national security and terrorism prevention." Application, which include a few short essays, are due by February 21.
Pathways for Recent Graduates to Federal Careers Pathways Website
This program offers jobs and mentoring to recent graduates from a wide variety of majors and fields. Many of the positions are for engineers and scientists, but they site also includes jobs related to international affairs and international security. Specific position listings, each of which have different requirements in terms of major, etc., may be found here.
Payne International Development Fellowship Program: Payne fellowship website
This competitive program, funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and administered by Howard University, awards each fellow $45,000 annually for a two-year graduate program in international development or other fields related to the work that USAID conducts. The program also provides fellows with an opportunity to participate in two summer internships: one in Washington D.C. working on international issues and the other at a USAID mission. Applicants must pass all security and medical clearances as well as drug tests and be willing to commit to working as a Foreign Service Officers at USAID for a minimum of three years. Applicants must be US citizens with at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA at the time of the application and have demonstrated financial need. The deadline to apply is typically mid-January.
Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship: Pickering fellowship website
This prestigious scholarship is geared towards students with an interest on foreign affairs who plan to pursue a career with the US Department of State. The scholarship awards undergraduate seniors and first and second year graduate students up to $37,500 annually, which can be used for tuition, room and board, books, fees, and one round-trip ticket between residence and academic institution; recipients also receive valuable mentoring and professional development activities. Eligible students must be United States citizens in their junior year who plan to attend a two-year graduate program related to foreign policy, then join the Foreign Service or seniors applying to a graduate program related to foreign policy, i.e. students may use the money towards their last year of undergraduate study and first year of graduate school or towards two years of graduate school. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher at the submission of the application, which must be maintained during the program, and finalists for the award will be asked to complete a written exam on foreign policy and international affairs and be interviewed in Princeton or Washington D.C. Fellows must pass all medical and security clearances and are expected to work as a Foreign Service Officer with the US Department of State for a minimum of five years following the completion of the fellowship. Applications are typically due at the beginning of September.
Presidential Management Fellows Presidential Website
This highly competitive program is open to graduate students interested in working for the federal government who will complete a higher degree, e.g. an M.A. The program offers two-years paid employment with benefits to graduate students who have completed their M.A. degree in the past two years. Fellows are not guaranteed a job, but they are offered training and four to six month "developmental assignments" in various government agencies as they apply for full-time positions, greatly enhancing their chances of securing a position. Applications are typically due in the fall, and students who pass through the first phase will engage in online and in person interviews before the final selection process.
Rangel International Scholarships: Charles Rangel Website
This program aims to attract outstanding graduating seniors who have been accepted to a graduate program related to foreign affairs and plan to join the Foreign Service. The grant provides the 30 students who are selected each year in a highly competitive nationwide process with up to $37,500 annually for two years of graduate study as well as professional development activities and internships.Students who successfully complete the program in addition to the Foreign Service entry requirements will be given an opportunity to receive appointments as Foreign Service Officers. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale at the time of application. Applications are due in mid September.
Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship Herbert Scoville Peace Fellowship Website
The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship provides outstanding recent graduates who are interested in international security, conflict resolution, and related issues with an opportunity to work in Washington D.C. for six to nine months in an institution that focuses on one of these areas, e.g. the Brookings Institute, Center for Strategic and International Studies, National Security Archive, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, etc. Participants for this highly competitive fellowship--fewer than 3% of applicants receive a position--are selected twice a year to work as full-time junior staff members at the participating organization of their choice. The fellowship is looking for students who have experience with public-interest activism or advocacy: e.g. students who have been involved in organizing outreach campaigns, published opinion pieces, presented at conferences, and/or worked with national organizations. Salary and benefits include $3,000 per month salary, health insurance, and travel expenses to Washington, DC. The program also provides $1,000 per fellow for professional development. U.S. citizens and non-citizens living in the United States who have a background in peace and security issues are eligible to apply; preference is given to individuals who have not had substantial prior public-interest or government experience in the Washington, DC area. Applications to begin in spring are typically due at the beginning of October and applications for fall are due at the beginning of January.
Truman Scholarship: Truman Scholarship Website
This extremely competitive scholarship, in memory of the late President Harry S. Truman, is for undergraduate students who hope to enact positive change in how the government, non-profit institutions, and/or educational institutions serve the public. The scholarship awards up to $15,000/year for two years of graduate school, for a maximum of $30,000, and students must commit to working in public service for at least three years after completing their graduate program. In order to be considered for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, a student has to be in their third year of college, with junior or senior status credits, and be a US citizen. All applicants should have substantial participation in leadership activities and a keen interest in news and public policy - all finalists are interviewed by the Truman Foundation. For more information, contact Dr. Blake, blake@rowan.edu; applications would be due by January 1.
