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Explore Fellowships

In addition to well-known fellowships, like the Fulbright Student Program, there are many other fellowships available to students from all class years, including graduate students and alumni. Use our fellowship selector tool to discover which fellowships are the right fit for you. Some fellowships require a Rutgers nomination or endorsement meaning you must first apply through the Office of Distinguished Fellowships at Rutgers–New Brunswick. There are also many fellowships that allow you to apply on your own. However, we still encourage all interested students to meet with our experts for support and advice throughout the application process.

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5 Fellowships

  • The USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program seeks to attract outstanding individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). If you want to work on the front lines of some of the most pressing global challenges of our times — poverty, hunger, injustice, disease, environmental degradation, climate change, conflict and violent extremism – the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development provides an opportunity to advance U.S. foreign policy interests and reflect the American people's compassion and support of human dignity. The Payne Fellowship, which provides up to $104,000 in benefits over two years for graduate school, internships, and professional development activities, is a unique pathway to the USAID Foreign Service.

    For official information, see https://www.paynefellows.org/

    Eligibility and Qualifications
    • Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
    • Applicants must be seeking admission to enter graduate school in the fall of 2023 for a two-year program at a U.S. university.  They can be in the senior year of their undergraduate studies, graduating by June 2023, or they can be college graduates.
    • Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.

    Note: Applicants are not required to be Howard University students or applying to Howard for graduate school.

    Application Procedures and Selection Criteria

    For information regarding application procedures and the selection criteria, visit https://www.paynefellows.org/

    Timeframe

    The application deadline is November 4, 2022.

    Deadline: November 4, 2022
    Contact: Office of Distinguished Fellowships
    Level: Senior, Alumni
    Type of Opportunity: Graduate Funding
    Schedule an appointment with ODF

  • The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program is a program funded by the U.S. Department of State, administered by Howard University, that attracts and prepares outstanding young people for Foreign Service careers in the U.S. Department of State. It welcomes the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the State Department, women, and those with a demonstrated financial need for graduate school.  Based on the fundamental principle that diversity is a strength in our diplomatic efforts, the program values varied backgrounds, including ethnic, racial, social, and geographic diversity.

    The Pickering Program plans to award 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.

    For official information, visit https://pickeringfellowship.org/

    Eligibility and Qualifications

    To be eligible to participate, you must meet the following criteria:

    • Be a U.S. citizen.
    • Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.
    • 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 2024 in an academic field relevant to the work of the Foreign Service (public policy, international affairs, public administration, business, economics, political science, management science, organizational development/leadership, sociology, or regional studies).
    Application Procedures and Selection Criteria

    For information about the application and selection criteria, see https://pickeringfellowship.org/graduate-fellowship/how-to-apply/

    For tips on preparing your application, see https://pickeringfellowship.org/graduate-fellowship/application-tips/

    Timeframe

    Specific dates for the 2024 Pickering Fellowship are TBD

    • Application Closes: TBD
    • Finalists Notified: TBD
    • Final Round to Select Fellows: TBD
    • Award Offers Made to 45 Finalists: TBD
    Deadline: TBD
    Contact: Office of Distinguished Fellowships
    Level: Senior, Alumni
    Type of Opportunity: Graduate Funding
    Other Criteria: Financial Need, Underrepresented Groups, Women
    Schedule an appointment with ODF

  • Founded in 1898, Princeton in Asia (PiA) has been building bridges between the U.S. and Asia for over a century. PiA’s mission is to promote good will and understanding and to facilitate in every way the free interchange of the best ideals in the civilizations of both East and West. PIA aims to foster mutual appreciation and cultural understanding by connecting service-minded graduates and partner organizations in Asia through immersive work experiences that transform perspectives, cultivate long-lasting relationships and benefit local and global communities. PiA sponsors over 150 fellowships and internships in 21 countries and is the oldest and largest organization of its kind, unique in its scope, size, century-long expertise and emphasis on service. 

    Princeton in Asia Fellows teach in kindergartens, secondary schools, polytechnics and universities; they work with international and local nonprofits as well as some of Asia’s most innovative businesses and social enterprises; they write for newspapers and create content for news platforms with an international reach. Because of the size and diversity of the positions available, applicants of all disciplines and backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

    For official information, visit http://piaweb.princeton.edu/

    Eligibility and Qualifications

    • Native English speaking ability 

    • Applicant must be a graduating senior or recent college graduate 

    • Asian language ability is not a prerequisite for most positions. Non-teaching positions typically require some language skills or specific academic or work experience. 

    • PiA’s strongest applicants are humble, flexible, adaptable, open-minded and committed to immersion in their local community. 

    Application Procedures and Selection Criteria

    • Application form 

    • Three completed essays 

    • Application Video 

    • Recommendation letter 

    • Academic transcripts 

    • Scan of valid passport 

    • Passport sized headshot 

    • Application fee of $60 

    Timeframe

    Application materials are due November 2023, date TBD, by 5pm EST. Interviews for selected applicants will be held in early January in Princeton, NJ.

    Deadline: November 2023, date TBD
    Contact: Office of Distinguished Fellowships
    Level: Senior, Alumni
    Area of Interest: Arts and Humanities, Education and Teaching, Environment, Language Study, Public Policy and Public Service, Social Justice and Human Rights, Social Sciences
    Type of Opportunity: Internships, Leadership Development, Teaching
    Schedule an appointment with ODF

  • The PPIA Fellowship Program aims to help prepare to pursue a master's or joint degree in public policy, public administration, international affairs, or a related field. The organization does this through the intensive study provided by participation in a Junior Summer Institute (JSI), partnerships with universities across the country, and an alumni network that provides opportunities to connect with nearly 4000 individuals with the same interest in public service.

    Each year, PPIA seeks out high-potential undergraduate students from universities across the country to participate in an intensive seven-week Junior Summer Institute (JSI) before their senior year. During their program, fellows are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in graduate school and, ultimately, in influential roles serving the public good.

    For official information about the PPIA JSI, visit https://ppiaprogram.org/page/junior-summer-institute

    Eligibility and Qualifications
    • If you are a United States citizen, legal permanent resident, or DACA recipient you are eligible to apply to all JSI programs. (International students are eligible for select JSIs – Carnegie Mellon, Princeton, and University of Washington – and must be enrolled in a U.S. based institution.)
    • Applicants must have an expected graduation date between December and August.
    • If you will have already completed a bachelor’s degree prior to the start of Junior Summer Institute, you are not eligible to apply.
    • Must be committed to pursuing a Master’s Degree in public policy and/or international affairs at one of the PPIA Consortium graduate schools.
    • Must be committed to and demonstrate an interest in pursuing a professional career associated with public service such as government, nonprofits, and humanitarian and international organizations.
    • Must be interested in contributing to the diversity of perspectives present in the PPIA Junior Summer Institute Program. You must specifically demonstrate involvement in working to improve historically underserved or underrepresented communities, including African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics, Latinx, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders.
    • Economic need is given consideration during the review of applications.
    • All academic majors are welcome to apply!

    For updates, check the eligibility criteria on the official website.

    Application Procedures and Selection Criteria

    For information about the application procedures and selection criteria, visit https://ppiaprogram.org/page/jsi-application-requirements

    Timeframe

    The application deadline is typically in November. Visit website for latest updates.

    Deadline: Deadline usually falls in November. Visit website for latest updates.
    Contact: Office of Distinguished Fellowships

    Area of Interest: Public Policy and Public Service
    Other Criteria: Non-US Citizens Eligible
    Schedule an appointment with ODF

  • The Public Policy and Leadership Conference (PPLC) is designed to inform students about careers in the public sector. The conference, held in mid-February at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, will encourage students who possess a commitment to public service to prepare for graduate study in public policy and international affairs, as well as to provide information on financial support through various fellowship programs. The conference aims to attract students from groups under-represented in public policy and international affairs in an effort to increase the diversity of students receiving these professional degrees. Participants receive paid travel, accommodations, and meals. 

    For official information, visit http://www.hks.harvard.edu/degrees/admissions/pplc

    Eligibility and Qualifications

    • Applicants must be US citizens and permanent residents. 

    • Applicants must be in their first or second year of undergraduate studies. 

    • Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

    Application Procedures and Selection Criteria

    • The online application requires the following pieces: 

    • Resumé 

    • Personal statement essay 

    • Letter of recommendation 

    • College transcript(s) 

    • Conference participants will be selected based on good academic standing, as well as demonstrated commitment to public service. Commitment to public service will be measured through student leadership and activism, participation in the civic aspects of school or community, and volunteer commitments in high school and college. 

    Timeframe

    The application for next year's conference will be available in late Spring 2024. 

    Contact: Office of Distinguished Fellowships
    Level: First year, Sophomore
    Area of Interest: Public Policy and Public Service
    Type of Opportunity: Leadership Development
    Schedule an appointment with ODF