§ Federal grant opportunity · DFOP0019974
2027 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program Selection Grant
Bureau of Human Resources is accepting applications for 2027 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program Selection Grant. The deadline is November 23, 2026 and the published award range is $0 – $86K.
Key facts
- Funder
- Bureau of Human Resources
- Application deadline
- November 23, 2026
- Award range
- $0 – $86K
- Eligibility
- nonprofits non higher education with 501c3, private institutions of higher education, for profit organizations other than small businesses, nonprofits non higher education without 501c3, public and state institutions of higher education
- Geography
- United States
- Focus areas
- Employment Labor And Training
- Opportunity number
- DFOP0019974
Program overview
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.
How to apply
- Confirm your organization meets the eligibility criteria above.
- Read the full funding opportunity announcement from Bureau of Human Resources.
- Draft your narrative against the funder's stated priorities and review criteria.
- Submit before November 23, 2026, allowing time for registration and validation.
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