Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship
Encyclopedia
The U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program was renamed the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program to honor one of the most distinguished and capable American diplomats of the latter half of the 20th century. Thomas R. Pickering
, a graduate of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University
, held the rank of Career Ambassador, the highest rank in the U.S. Foreign Service. He served as Ambassador to Nigeria, El Salvador, Israel, India, the Russian Federation, and the United Nations
, finishing his career as Under Secretary of State
for Political Affairs.
The program provides funding to participants as they are prepared academically and professionally to enter the United States
Department of State Foreign Service
. The fellowship seeks to recruit talented students in academic programs relevant to international affairs, political and economic analysis, administration, management, and science policy. The goal is to attract outstanding students from all ethnic, racial, and social backgrounds who have an interest in pursuing a Foreign Service career in the U.S. Department of State. The Program develops a source of trained men and women from academic disciplines representing the skill needs of the Department, who are dedicated to representing America's interests abroad.
The fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. The fellowship award includes tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees during the junior and senior years of college and during the first year of graduate study, with reimbursement for books and for travel (one round trip per academic year, up to a set maximum amount). Fellows must commit to pursuing a graduate degree in international studies at one of the graduate schools participating in the program. Participating graduate schools provide financial support in the second year of graduate study based on need. Fellows meet annually in Washington, D.C., for a program orientation.
Attendance is required between the junior and senior years of college at a summer institute based at a graduate school of public policy and international affairs participating in the Pickering program. The typical seven-week institute curriculum consists of course work in economics, calculus, and policy analysis, with exercises to develop oral and written communication skills. Institute participants include students from a number of public policy and international affairs fellowship programs.
Two Summer Internships
Fellows must participate in one overseas and one domestic summer internship within the U.S. Department of State. Students receive a stipend during the internships.
Core Curriculum
Undergraduate course work must be completed in the following or the equivalent: English composition, western civilization, U.S. political systems, principles of economics, U.S. history, modern non-western history, comparative politics, international trade or world finance or economic development, and geography.
Mentoring
Guidance from a Foreign Service officer is provided during the graduate school segment of the program.
Testing
Fellows must meet Department of State Foreign Service entry requirements.
Contractual Agreement
Each successful candidate is obligated to a minimum of four-and-one-half years’ service in an appointment as a Foreign Service officer. Candidates who do not successfully complete the fellowship program and Foreign Service entry requirements may be subject to a reimbursement obligation to the Department of State.
The Pickering Fellowship program is funded by the U.S. Department of State, and is administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation
(WWNFF).
"The Secretary of State may make grants to post-secondary educational institutions or students for the purpose of increasing the level of knowledge and awareness of and interest in employment with the Foreign Service, consistent with section 105 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980. To the extent possible, the Secretary shall give special emphasis to promoting such knowledge and awareness of, and interest in employment with the Foreign Service among students. Any grants awarded shall be made pursuant to regulations to be established by the Secretary of State
, which shall provide for a limit on the size of any specific grant and, regarding any grants to individuals, shall ensure that no grant recipient receives and amount of grants from one or more Federal programs which in the aggregate would exceed the cost of his or her education, and shall require satisfactory educational progress by grantees as a condition of eligibility for continued receipt of grant funds."
Thomas R. Pickering
Thomas Reeve "Tom" Pickering , is a retired United States ambassador. Among his many diplomatic appointments, he served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 1989 to 1992.-Early life:...
, a graduate of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
, held the rank of Career Ambassador, the highest rank in the U.S. Foreign Service. He served as Ambassador to Nigeria, El Salvador, Israel, India, the Russian Federation, and the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, finishing his career as Under Secretary of State
Under Secretary of State
The Under Secretary of State, from 1919 to 1972, was the second-ranking official at the United States Department of State , serving as the Secretary's principal deputy, chief assistant, and Acting Secretary in the event of the Secretary's absence...
for Political Affairs.
The program provides funding to participants as they are prepared academically and professionally to enter the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Department of State Foreign Service
United States Foreign Service
The United States Foreign Service is a component of the United States federal government under the aegis of the United States Department of State. It consists of approximately 11,500 professionals carrying out the foreign policy of the United States and aiding U.S...
. The fellowship seeks to recruit talented students in academic programs relevant to international affairs, political and economic analysis, administration, management, and science policy. The goal is to attract outstanding students from all ethnic, racial, and social backgrounds who have an interest in pursuing a Foreign Service career in the U.S. Department of State. The Program develops a source of trained men and women from academic disciplines representing the skill needs of the Department, who are dedicated to representing America's interests abroad.
The fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. The fellowship award includes tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees during the junior and senior years of college and during the first year of graduate study, with reimbursement for books and for travel (one round trip per academic year, up to a set maximum amount). Fellows must commit to pursuing a graduate degree in international studies at one of the graduate schools participating in the program. Participating graduate schools provide financial support in the second year of graduate study based on need. Fellows meet annually in Washington, D.C., for a program orientation.
Program Components
Junior Year Summer InstituteAttendance is required between the junior and senior years of college at a summer institute based at a graduate school of public policy and international affairs participating in the Pickering program. The typical seven-week institute curriculum consists of course work in economics, calculus, and policy analysis, with exercises to develop oral and written communication skills. Institute participants include students from a number of public policy and international affairs fellowship programs.
Two Summer Internships
Fellows must participate in one overseas and one domestic summer internship within the U.S. Department of State. Students receive a stipend during the internships.
Core Curriculum
Undergraduate course work must be completed in the following or the equivalent: English composition, western civilization, U.S. political systems, principles of economics, U.S. history, modern non-western history, comparative politics, international trade or world finance or economic development, and geography.
Mentoring
Guidance from a Foreign Service officer is provided during the graduate school segment of the program.
Testing
Fellows must meet Department of State Foreign Service entry requirements.
Contractual Agreement
Each successful candidate is obligated to a minimum of four-and-one-half years’ service in an appointment as a Foreign Service officer. Candidates who do not successfully complete the fellowship program and Foreign Service entry requirements may be subject to a reimbursement obligation to the Department of State.
The Pickering Fellowship program is funded by the U.S. Department of State, and is administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation
Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation
The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation is a private non-profit foundation based in Princeton, New Jersey. It administers programs that support leadership development and build organizational capacity in education. Its current signature program is the...
(WWNFF).
Statutory information
- PUBLIC LAW 101-246, 101st Congress, 104 STAT.42 Section 47
"The Secretary of State may make grants to post-secondary educational institutions or students for the purpose of increasing the level of knowledge and awareness of and interest in employment with the Foreign Service, consistent with section 105 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980. To the extent possible, the Secretary shall give special emphasis to promoting such knowledge and awareness of, and interest in employment with the Foreign Service among students. Any grants awarded shall be made pursuant to regulations to be established by the Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
, which shall provide for a limit on the size of any specific grant and, regarding any grants to individuals, shall ensure that no grant recipient receives and amount of grants from one or more Federal programs which in the aggregate would exceed the cost of his or her education, and shall require satisfactory educational progress by grantees as a condition of eligibility for continued receipt of grant funds."