2027 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program Administration Grant
Open Posted
- Opportunity number
- DFOP0019970
- Agency
-
Bureau of Human Resources
Department of State
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $2,813,620
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Employment, Labor and Training
- Eligible applicants
-
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- For Profit Organizations
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Points of contact
-
- Katherine Wright wrightka@state.gov (771) 204-1230
- Kate Wright dosfellows@state.gov
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Human Resources is soliciting applications for one cooperative agreement to manage programmatic, financial, and administrative operations for the 2027 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program, with questions due November 15, 2026 and applications due November 20, 2026. The total federal ceiling is $2.81 million ($2,813,620), and mandatory cost sharing applies. The listing's due date field reads November 23, 2026, but the NOFO text specifies November 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
Eligible applicants are U.S.-based nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), U.S.-based public or private higher education institutions, and U.S.-based for-profit organizations. The NOFO requests one eligible organization. The source does not state a cost-share percentage, and it does not state an award floor. The period of performance is 32 months, starting approximately January 2027. Work includes domestic internships in Washington, D.C., overseas assignments at U.S. Embassies and Consulates, a two-week session at the National Defense University, and 7-8 professional development seminars. The award requires substantial federal involvement in policy decisions, milestone schedules, orientation agendas, curricula, and mentor pairings.
Required activities include establishing a financial and academic tracking system within 30 days of award, ensuring 100% on-time disbursement of tuition (capped at $55,000 per year), living stipends (up to $33,000 per year), and summer allowances (up to $11,000 per summer), and maintaining a minimum 3.2 GPA. Recipients must also guide all Fellows through security, medical, and suitability clearances and pair them with tenured Foreign Service Officer mentors.
Evaluation uses a 100-point scale, with 20 points each for quality and feasibility of the project idea, organizational capacity and record of performance, program planning and ability to achieve objectives, financial capacity and cost effectiveness, and monitoring and evaluation and sustainability. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov or MyGrants after SAM.gov registration to obtain a UEI.
The assistance listing is 19.013, the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program. The parent program description states it is currently not making new awards, so applicants should confirm active solicitation status with the Grants Officer before committing resources.
Synopsis
Background & Goal:
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Human Resources Outreach, Fellowships, and Internships Division (HR/OFI) announces an open competition for an eligible organization to manage programmatic, financial, and administrative operations for the 2027 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program. Established in 1992, the Pickering Fellowship attracts outstanding students-particularly those with financial need-for Foreign Service Officer careers. Administered via a Cooperative Agreement, this 32-month project (starting ~January 2027) aims to cultivate premier diplomatic talent, ensuring timely commissioning into generalist tracks pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2719 and 22 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.
Problem Statement:
Fellows face complex operational, financial, and logistical demands across graduate studies, domestic internships in Washington, D.C., and overseas assignments at U.S. Embassies. Dedicated administrative oversight is essential to execute tuition disbursements, secure housing, navigate security/medical clearances, and eliminate friction that could impede academic success or delay Foreign Service commissioning.
Key Objectives & Outcomes:
Financial & Academic Oversight: Establish a robust tracking system within 30 days of award to manage 100% on-time disbursements for tuition ($55k/yr cap), living stipends ($33k/yr cap), and summer allowances ($11k/summer cap) under 2 CFR 200 guidelines, ensuring Fellows maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA.
Clearance & Onboarding Support: Guide 100% of the cohort through required examination attempts and medical, suitability, and Top Secret security clearance protocols prior to graduation.
Internships & Professional Development: Coordinate travel, lodging, and stipends for summer internships; deliver 7-8 professional seminars; facilitate a 2-week session at NDU; and pair all Fellows with tenured Foreign Service mentors.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| 2027_NOFO_Pickering_Admin_Duties_for_GO_1.docx | DOCX document | |
| Budget_Template_FY26_with_MTDC_Calculation_Final_1.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| PKG00294464.docx | DOCX document | |
| Pickering_2027_SOW_Daily_Admin_1.docx | DOCX document | |
| 2027_NOFO_Pickering_Admin_Duties_for_GO_3.docx | DOCX document |
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