Open (posted) · Cooperative Agreement
2027 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program Selection Grant
Bureau of Human Resources, Department of State
Key facts
Copied from the official Grants.gov record. Last verified October 29, 2026.
- Program name
- 2027 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program Selection Grant
- Issuing agency
- Bureau of Human Resources (Department of State)
- Opportunity number
- DFOP0019974
- Funding type
- Cooperative Agreement
- Funding purpose
- Employment, Labor and Training
- Status
- Open (posted)
- Application deadline
- Closes November 23, 2026(24 days left)
- Published award range
- Up to $85,855
- Expected number of awards
- 1
- Cost sharing or match required
- Yes
- Eligible applicants (official categories)
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Relevant to
- Businesses and NonprofitsHow we determined this: Grants.gov eligibility includes small businesses or for-profit organizations. Grants.gov eligibility includes nonprofit organizations.
- Geographic restrictions
- None stated in structured data (federal opportunities are often nationwide). Check the eligibility details and full announcement for any limits.
- Assistance Listing (CFDA)
- 19.013
- Official source
- View on Grants.gov ↗
- Application URL
- www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/364158 ↗Apply through Grants.gov (Workspace) using the application package on the official listing, unless the full announcement names a different submission system.
- Source identifier
- Grants.gov opportunity ID 364158 · Funding opportunity number DFOP0019974
- Posted
- October 27, 2026 · Source last updated October 27, 2026
- Last verified
- October 29, 2026 (against Grants.gov)
- Data completeness
- 92% of key fields published by the sourceNot published: eligibility criteria text.
- Record confidence
- highVerified against the official source; key fields present; no open issues.
Description (from the official listing)
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 operational, logistical, and administrative functions for the candidate selection process of the 2027 Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program. Authorized under 22 U.S.C. 2719 and 22 U.S.C. 3901 et seq., this 3-to-6 month Cooperative Agreement (December 2026 – March 2027) aims to execute a rigorous, standardized, and merit-based evaluation cycle to identify 10 premier Pickering Fellows and qualified alternates dedicated to Foreign Service careers.Problem Statement:Identifying top diplomatic talent requires multi-stage candidate evaluation on a condensed timeline. Without dedicated administrative support, the Department risks operational delays, inconsistent scoring, and logistical bottlenecks. The Recipient must execute screening, maintain secure scoring platforms, manage Washington, D.C. panel interviews, and handle honoraria and travel logistics under strict federal standards to ensure high-caliber candidates are evaluated without delay.Key Objectives & Outcomes:Application Screening & Semi-Finalist Selection: Screen 100% of applications by January 2027 against eligibility criteria (U.S. citizenship, 3.2+ GPA, financial need, master’s program plans). Provide secure portal access to 18 selection panelists to score applicants and select 90 semi-finalists by February 2027.Panel Management & Evaluation: Coordinate D.C. final evaluations (3.5-day interview…
Read the full description
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 operational, logistical, and administrative functions for the candidate selection process of the 2027 Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program. Authorized under 22 U.S.C. 2719 and 22 U.S.C. 3901 et seq., this 3-to-6 month Cooperative Agreement (December 2026 – March 2027) aims to execute a rigorous, standardized, and merit-based evaluation cycle to identify 10 premier Pickering Fellows and qualified alternates dedicated to Foreign Service careers.Problem Statement:Identifying top diplomatic talent requires multi-stage candidate evaluation on a condensed timeline. Without dedicated administrative support, the Department risks operational delays, inconsistent scoring, and logistical bottlenecks. The Recipient must execute screening, maintain secure scoring platforms, manage Washington, D.C. panel interviews, and handle honoraria and travel logistics under strict federal standards to ensure high-caliber candidates are evaluated without delay.Key Objectives & Outcomes:Application Screening & Semi-Finalist Selection: Screen 100% of applications by January 2027 against eligibility criteria (U.S. citizenship, 3.2+ GPA, financial need, master’s program plans). Provide secure portal access to 18 selection panelists to score applicants and select 90 semi-finalists by February 2027.Panel Management & Evaluation: Coordinate D.C. final evaluations (3.5-day interview panel, 2-day essay panel), manage mandatory BEX-led panelist training, and disburse per diem-compliant panelist honoraria ($500/day).Final Selection & Data Transfer: Compile rank-ordered scores, issue selectee/alternate notifications within 2 working days of HR/OFI approval, and transfer complete selection data packages within 2 weeks of completion.
Agency contact
Katherine Wright
Grantor
Phone 7712041230
wrightka@state.gov