Find a Fellowship | International Relations and Public Policy Fellowships

International Relations and Public Policy Fellowships

The opportunities listed here are a few of the programs that are available to you in your specific field of study. This is not an exhaustive list, but highlights the programs that are more focused in a particular field as compared to broad scope fellowships. For more opportunities please see our full list of fellowships and contact the Fellowships Office.

Fellowships marked with an asterisks (*) require a campus nomination and must be applied for through the MU Fellowships Office.

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David L. Boren Graduate Fellowship (from the National Security Education Program)

Description: Boren Fellowships provide American graduate students, both at the master's and the doctoral level, with the resources and encouragement they need to acquire skills and experiences in areas of the world critical to the future security of our nation, in exchange for their commitment to seek work in the federal government. The program funds study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.

Eligibility: Graduating seniors and current graduate students who are U.S. citizens and who demonstrate commitment and ability. Applicants can be from any academic field, but should be interested in studying less commonly taught languages, including but not limited to Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Swahili.

Award: Boren Fellowships provide support for overseas or domestic study, or a combination of both. The maximum level of support for a combined overseas and domestic program is $30,000 over 24 months. Awards are made for a minimum of 12 weeks and maximum of 24 months. Overseas programs can be no longer than one year.

Deadlines: Late January/Early February

More Info: www.borenawards.org/boren_fellowship

* David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarship (from the National Security Education Program)

Description: Boren Scholarships provide undergraduate students with the resources and encouragement they need to acquire skills and experiences in areas of the world critical to the future security of our nation, in exchange for their commitment to seek work in the federal government. The program funds study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.

Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors who are U.S. citizens and who demonstrate commitment and ability. Campus nomination required.

Award: Up to $10,000 for a semester of study and up to $20,000 for a full academic year.

Deadlines:
Campus Deadline: Early January
National Deadline: Late January/February

More Info: www.borenawards.org/boren_scholarship

* Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellows Program

Description: The purpose of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is to advance cooperation between nations and promote active international engagement by the United States. The program gives junior fellows the opportunity to gain valuable career knowledge and experience by working as research assistants to senior associates at the institute.

Eligibility: Open to graduating seniors who are U.S. citizens or eligible to work in the U.S. Applicants can be from any major; however, students need a strong interest in careers related to international affairs/foreign policy. Applicants are also expected to have significant writing and research experience. Campus nomination required.

Award: $2500 monthly salary and benefits (health & life insurance and vacation time)

Deadline:
Campus Deadline: November
National Deadline: January

Web site: www.carnegieendowment.org/about/index.cfm?fa=jrfellows

Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP)

Description: Represents a direct response to the identified national need to create a more diverse talent pool of well-trained, language-proficient professionals from which U.S. international affairs agencies and organizations can draw highly qualified personnel.

Eligibility: Must meet all of the following:

Sophomore student, enrolled full-time at a four-year institution
U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
Minimum 3.2 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale)
Strong interest in a career in international service
Underrepresented minority: African American, Hispanic/Latino American, American Indian, Asian American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander
Plan to seek admission to a two-year master's degree program in international affairs.

Award: The IIPP funds two summer institutes, a year of study abroad, and assitance for graduate study.

Deadline: March

Web site: www.uncfsp.org/spknowledge/default

Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship

Description: The program 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 fellowship 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. Each successful candidate is obligated to a minimum of three years’ service in an appointment as a Foreign Service officer.

Eligibility: Open to graduating seniors who are intending on entering graduate school. Students must be U. S. citizens and have a minimum of 3.2 GPA. At the time of application, candidates must be seeking admission to graduate school for the following academic year. Winners are expected to enroll in a two-year, full-time master's degree program in either public policy, international affairs, or public administration, or in an academic field such as business, economics, political science, sociology, or foreign languages (U.S. graduate institutions only).

Award: The fellowship award includes tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees during the first and second year of graduate school. Each year’s award also includes reimbursement for books and for travel (one round trip per academic year, up to a set maximum amount).

Deadline: February

Web site : www.woodrow.org/fellowships/foreign_affairs/pickering_grad/index.php

Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Undergraduate Fellowship

Description: Seeks to recruit talented students in academic programs relevant to international affairs, political and economic analysis, administration, management, and science policy who are interested in pursuing a Foreign Service career. All ethnic, racial, and social backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Each successful candidate is obligated to a minimum of three years service in an appointment as a Foreign Service Officer. The Fellow must commit to pursuing a graduate degree in international studies at one of the graduate schools identified by the WWNFF.

Eligibility: Open to juniors who are U. S. citizens and have a minimum of 3.2 GPA, in majors relevant to international affairs, political and economic analysis, administration, management, and science policy. Financial need is a consideration.

Award: The fellowship award includes tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees during your senior year of college and during the first year of graduate study. Each year’s award also includes reimbursement for books and for travel (one round trip per academic year, up to a set maximum amount). The Fellow must commit to pursuing a master’s 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.

Deadline: February

Web site : www.woodrow.org/fellowships/foreign_affairs/pickering_undergrad/index.php

William E. Simon Fellowship for Noble Purpose

Description: ISI has established the William E. Simon Fellowship for Noble Purpose to recognize graduating college seniors who are pursuing lives dedicated to and distinguished by honor, generosity, service, and respect. The fellowship is named for William E. Simon. The Simon Fellowship is a $40,000 unrestricted grant awarded to those graduating college seniors who have demonstrated passion, dedication, a high capacity for self-direction, and originality in pursuit of a goal that will strengthen civil society. In addition, two $5,000 awards are made to two other outstanding students. Examples of how recipients may use the award include:

Engage directly in the civic life of their community.
Help to create opportunity for others, including job creation.
Advance their expertise.
Fund the ultimate realization of their noble purpose.

Eligibility: Must be a graduating college senior with a life devoted to honor, generosity, service and respect.

Award: A $40,000 unrestricted cash grant awarded; in addition, two $5,000 cash awards are made to two other outstanding students.

Web site : www.isi.org/programs/fellowships/simon.html

* Harry S. Truman Scholarship

Description: Seeks future “change agents” who aspire to leadership positions in federal, state, or local governments or in the not-for-profit and education sectors, where they can influence and change public policies and programs. Seeks leadership potential, commitment to a career in public service, high academic achievement, and prospects for continuing academic success. Can be used at any institution.

Eligibility: Juniors with a high GPA in any major, committed to pursuing graduate degrees in public service fields. Campus nomination required.

Award: up to $30,000 in funding to be used for graduate school and not to fund the completion of a student's undergraduate degree.

Deadlines:
Campus Deadline: October
National Deadline: February

Web site: www.truman.gov

Morris K. Udall Foundation

Description: Honors Udall by educating a new generation to preserve and protect their national heritage through studies in the environment and related fields, or Native Americans and Alaska Natives who study health care and tribal policy. Seeks students who are dedicated to funding scholarship recipients who exhibit leadership, character, integrity and well-roundedness. Commitment to pursuing a career related to the environment is necessary. This award can be redeemed at any school.

Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors with a minimum of 3.0 GPA, majoring in environmental sciences and policy studies, agriculture, political science, natural resource management, sociology, anthropology, American Indian studies, tribal policy, history, English, theater, landscape architecture, and public health, to name just a few areas.

Award: up to $5,000

Deadline:
Campus Deadline: December
National Deadline: March

Web site : www.udall.gov

Campus Contact: Jan Weaver (weaverjc@missouri.edu; 573-882-3037)

Villers Fellowship for Health Care Justice (from Families USA)

Description: The Villers Fellowship for Health Care Justice was created in 2005 by Phillippe Villers, Founder and President of Families USA, to inspire and develop the next generation of health care justice leaders. The goals of the Villers Fellowship Program are three-fold:

To help achieve Families USA's goal of comprehensive, affordable, high-quality health care for all Americans;
To develop a network of young leaders who share a passion for social and health care justice; and
To inspire Villers Fellows to continue to work for health care justice throughout their lives

Villers Fellows will be given the opportunity to work on a variety of health care justice issues during their year-long tenure. They will also be exposed to different advocacy strategies, including producing analytic reports, disseminating effective messages through the media, successful coalition building, and e-advocacy techniques. The Fellow will also develop an understanding of the federal legislative process.

Eligibility: In order to be considered, applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. We prefer that applicants have a college degree or plan to receive a degree by August. There is no minimum GPA requirement, and candidates from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Award: up to $35,000

Deadline: January

Web site : www.familiesusa.org/about/the-villers-fellowship.html

Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice (from Families USA)

Description: The Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice is designed to foster the advancement of social justice through participation in health care advocacy work that focuses on the unique challenges facing many communities of color.

Through this fellowship, Families USA hopes to expand the pool of talented social justice advocates from underrepresented economic, racial and ethnic minority groups, including black/African American, Latino, Native American, and Asian and Pacific Islander communities. The goals of the Wellstone Fellowship program are three-fold:

To address disparities in access to health care
To inspire Wellstone Fellows to continue to work for social justice throughout their lives
To increase the number and racial and ethnic diversity of up-and-coming social justice advocates and leaders

Eligibility: Candidates must demonstrate an interest in health care policy as a tool for reducing racial and ethnic health disparities. Applicants should also demonstrate a commitment to contributing to social justice work following their year of hands-on experience as a fellow. While there is no bias in favor of any specific academic discipline, a college degree is preferred. There is no minimum GPA to qualify for consideration.

Award: Fellows receive a competitive salary (approximately $35,000), excellent health care benefits, and other employer-sponsored benefits for the duration of the fellowship.

Deadline: February

Web site : www.familiesusa.org/fellowships/wellstone-fellowship.html