How to Apply
Information and details about how to apply to the Pickering Fellowship.
Application Requirements
Completed applications will include the following materials.
01
Personal Background Information
(e.g., name, contact information, language skills).
02
Personal Statement
(600 words or less) that discusses the applicant's reasons for applying, interest in international affairs, commitment to pursue a career in the Foreign Service of the Department of State, and any relevant experience or information.
03
Two Letters of Recommendation
from individuals who can explain why you are uniquely qualified for the fellowship. One should come from a faculty member who can assess the applicant’s academic abilities and readiness for graduate study. [If an academic recommendation is not available, applicants may submit a letter from a nonacademic recommender who can speak to their analytical, writing, research, and organizational skills.]
One should come from a community leader, employer, supervisor, or another individual who can assess the applicant’s nonacademic accomplishments, leadership, commitment to service, and potential for success in the Foreign Service.
Note: Applicants must enter their recommenders’ contact information in the online application. Recommenders will receive an email with instructions and a link to submit their recommendations directly. The linked recommendation template is provided for reference only. Recommenders should check their spam or junk folders if the invitation does not arrive. Institutional email security settings (e.g., .edu, .gov, or .org) may block automated messages. If needed, applicants may provide an alternative email address approved by their recommender or contact program staff for assistance. Recommendation Form
04
A Statement of Financial Need
(400 words or less) that discusses the applicant’s need for financial assistance to attend graduate school, including an explanation of financial assistance received during undergraduate studies; overall education-related debt; and ability/plans to pay for graduate school independently.
Consistent with the Foreign Service Act and the Administration’s Executive Orders on equal opportunity and merit-based selection (E.O. 14281, E.O. 14173, and E.O. 14151), the assessment to identify financial need will use objective, verifiable measures, such as receiving a Federal Pell Grant or participating in a Federal TRIO Program, consistent with 20 U.S.C. § 1070a-11(h)(3). Once selected, no fellow should be kept from serving because of financial need.
Consistent with the Foreign Service Act and the Administration’s Executive Orders on equal opportunity and merit-based selection (E.O. 14281, E.O. 14173, and E.O. 14151), the assessment to identify financial need will use objective, verifiable measures, such as receiving a Federal Pell Grant or participating in a Federal TRIO Program, consistent with 20 U.S.C. § 1070a-11(h)(3). Once selected, no fellow should be kept from serving because of financial need.
05
Official Financial Aid Award Letter
from the applicant's last year of undergraduate studies if she/he received financial aid. Applicants must submit a Financial Aid Letter listing grants or loans unless they did not receive aid.
06
FAFSA Submission Summary generated from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for the 2027–2028 academic year.
Upload your FAFSA Submission Summary as a PDF. All applicants must complete the FAFSA, including those who are not currently enrolled in a college or university. Allow sufficient processing time for the summary to become available and upload it before the Pickering Fellowship application deadline.
07
Proof of U.S. Citizenship
Proof of U.S. citizenship with a copy of (choose one): birth certificate; Certificate of U.S. citizenship; U.S. passport. Upload in easy-to-read PDF format. Applicants are required to bring originals to the interview if selected as a finalist.
08
Transcripts from All Colleges and Universities the Applicant has Attended for Credit
Upload a transcript from your primary undergraduate institution and any additional college or university where you earned six or more credits, including study abroad institutions. Transcripts are not required for credits earned through Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or dual enrollment courses taken while in high school. An official transcript would be best; a student copy is acceptable if it is in the format of an official transcript and the candidate’s name is included. Each transcript must clearly display your name, the institution’s name, coursework, grades, and most recent/final GPA. Upload documents in PDF format using the corresponding transcript fields in the application.
If you are selected for an interview, you will be required to submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities that you have attended. If your transcript uses grades that are not on a 4.0 scale, you must complete the Pickering Program Alternative Academic Record form. [Alternative Academic Record Form] You are personally responsible for providing a certified equivalency of your grades on the 4.0 scale. This equivalency can be provided by the appropriate department chair or the registrar at your university, or by an official equivalency service. The Program cannot accept transcripts without a grade equivalency provided by the applicant.
If you are selected for an interview, you will be required to submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities that you have attended. If your transcript uses grades that are not on a 4.0 scale, you must complete the Pickering Program Alternative Academic Record form. [Alternative Academic Record Form] You are personally responsible for providing a certified equivalency of your grades on the 4.0 scale. This equivalency can be provided by the appropriate department chair or the registrar at your university, or by an official equivalency service. The Program cannot accept transcripts without a grade equivalency provided by the applicant.
09
A Copy of GRE/GMAT Scores
A copy of GRE/GMAT scores report sent to the student (optional).
10
FSOT Results
Upload your FSOT score report from the revised FSOT, taken between October 2025 and October 2026. The fellowship cannot accept results from versions of the FSOT offered prior to October 2025. If selected for a final interview, applicants must provide an official copy of their FSOT score report.
NOTE: For the 2027 cohort only, applicants who do not already have passing results from the FSOT and WE administered on/after October 2025 must take the FSOT in the October 2026 or January 2027 testing window. Applicants who do not have both test results by the application deadline may still apply by submitting:
- Passing FSOT results and confirmation of either having scheduled or taken the WE but are awaiting results, or;
- Confirmation of registration for the January 2027 FSOT with Pearson VUE.
Selected applicants who have yet to provide results for the FSOT and WE will receive a conditional offer, contingent on submitting passing FSOT and WE results before their academic program begins. Fellows who have not passed both tests by then will not be accepted to the Fellowship program.
NOTE: For the 2027 cohort only, applicants who do not already have passing results from the FSOT and WE administered on/after October 2025 must take the FSOT in the October 2026 or January 2027 testing window. Applicants who do not have both test results by the application deadline may still apply by submitting:
- Passing FSOT results and confirmation of either having scheduled or taken the WE but are awaiting results, or;
- Confirmation of registration for the January 2027 FSOT with Pearson VUE.
Selected applicants who have yet to provide results for the FSOT and WE will receive a conditional offer, contingent on submitting passing FSOT and WE results before their academic program begins. Fellows who have not passed both tests by then will not be accepted to the Fellowship program.
Dates & Deadlines
Specific dates for the 2027 Pickering Fellowship are included below.
- Application Closes: December 2, 2026
- Finalists Notified: January – February 2027
- Finalist Interviews: February 2027
- Award Offers Made to 10 Finalists: March 2027
Selection Process
A panel of individuals with experience working with the U.S. Foreign Service makes selections for the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program. A candidate’s community, academic, extracurricular, and leadership activities will be considered during the selection process. Consideration will be given to qualified applicants who, in addition to outstanding leadership skills and academic achievement, demonstrate financial need.
Consistent with the Foreign Service Act and the Administration’s Executive Orders on equal opportunity and merit-based selection (E.O. 14281, E.O. 14173, and E.O. 14151), the assessment to identify financial need will use objective, verifiable measures, such as receiving a Federal Pell Grant or participating in a Federal TRIO Program, consistent with 20 U.S.C. § 1070a-11(h)(3). Once selected, no fellow should be kept from serving because of financial need.
The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship selection panel will choose approximately 50 finalists. The Pickering Program staff will communicate decisions by email to both successful and unsuccessful applicants. Candidates selected for final consideration will participate in an interview and a written exercise. The program expects to award 10 fellowships per cycle.