The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is inviting applications for Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship Program. The fellowship is available to pursue a two-year degree in the area of international affairs or another area of relevance.

The USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program seeks to attract outstanding young people who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Student Aid Report (SAR) generated from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is required to be submitted.

• Application Deadline: October 24th, 2024

Brief Description

• Course Level: Fellowship is available to pursue a two-year degree at a graduate or professional school approved by the Payne Program. Payne Fellows will participate in two internships i.e. domestic internships in Washington DC for approximately ten weeks and a ten weeks overseas internship at a USAID Mission overseas.
• Study Subject: Fellowship is awarded for graduate program in the area of international affairs or another area of relevance to the work of the Foreign Service, such as international development, public administration, public policy, business administration, foreign languages, economics, political science, communications,  agriculture, environmental sciences, or urban planning. The internship is available for working on international issues in Washington, DC.
• Award: Up to $52,000
• Number of Scholarships: 30.
• Nationality: U.S. citizens
• Scholarship can be taken in the USA and overseas (ten weeks internship at a USAID Mission overseas)

Eligibility

• Eligible Countries: U.S. citizens are eligible to apply.
• Entrance Requirements: Applicants must:
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
• Applicants must be seeking admission to enter graduate school in the fall of 2024 for a two-year program at a U.S. university.  They can be in the senior year of their undergraduate studies, graduating
• Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.

College Scholarships for Students of USA

Application Procedure:

• How to Apply: A completed online application includes the following:
• Background Information (e.g., name, contact information, international travel).
• A personal statement (in 600 words or less) that discusses the applicant’s reasons for applying, interest in foreign affairs, commitment to pursue a USAID Foreign Service career and any relevant experience or information.
• A statement (in 400 words or less) from the applicant that discusses his/her need for financial assistance to attend graduate school, including an explanation of:
• The financial assistance received during undergraduate studies
• Overall education-related debt
• Ability/plans to pay for graduate school independently

Benefits

The Payne Fellowship Program awards up to 30 fellowships valued at up to $52,000 annually for a two-year program. The award includes up to $24,000 per year toward tuition and mandatory fees for completion of a two-year master’s degree at a U.S. institution; a $18,000 stipend for each academic year for room, board, books and other education-related expenses; and up to $10,000 per year in stipend, housing, transportation, and related expenses for summer placements. At the conclusion of two years of study, the Payne Fellow is expected to obtain a degree in international development or another area of relevance to the work of the USAID Foreign Service at a U.S. graduate or professional school approved by the Payne Program. Fellows who successfully complete the Payne Program and USAID Foreign Service entry requirements will receive appointments as Foreign Service Officers with the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Scholarship Link