Career Pathways in Foreign Service: Donald M. Payne Fellowship Program
Published on September 23, 2024

Payne Fellowship At-a-Glance:

The Payne Fellowship Program is a career pathway to becoming a Foreign Service Officer (FSO) with the United States Agency for International Development. USAID FSO’s work is on the front lines of some of the most pressing global challenges of our times, including injustice, climate change, health, conflict, and poverty.

Flyer:

Payne Fellowship 2025 one page flyer (1)Download

Selected fellows will be able to choose from a list of University Affiliates to join their program and complete their graduate studies.

Payne Fellows pursue graduate degrees to support their careers in administrative and technical areas (backstops) in USAID’s Foreign Service. These areas include program and executive officers, contracting officers, economists, engineering officers, environment officers, educators, and more.

Want to know more and see if this fellowship and pathway is a good fit for you? Visit the Triton Advising Center or email emsstac@triton.uog.edu.

Program Benefits

  • Selected fellows receive support for their graduate studies, totaling up to $104,000 over two years. This includes $24,000 annually for academic studies, $18,000 per year for academic-related expenses and a $10,000 stipend annually for a summer placement in Washington, D.C., as well as a USAID overseas mission.
  • Upon successful program completion and meeting Foreign Service entry requirements, participants are offered employment in the USAID Foreign Service, in accordance with relevant laws and USAID policies. Fellows commit to a minimum of 5 (five) years of service.
  • Mentorship is provided by a USAID Foreign Service Officer.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • U.S. Citizenship.
  • Applicants must be between the age of 18-55.
  • Seeking admission to a two-year graduate school program at a U.S. University in the Fall 2025. They can be in the senior year of their undergraduate studies, graduating by May 2025, or they can be college graduates.
  • Applicants may be college graduates with years of professional experience.
  • Cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher.

Application Process:

Students interested in applying should go to here to register. Be sure to provide the following documents:

  • Two letters of recommendations, one letter from a former professor or faculty member and another from a community leader.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
  • Personal statement (in 600 words or less) detailing the reasons for applying, interest in foreign affairs, and commitment to pursue a career in the USAID Foreign Service.
  • A statement (in 400 words or less) of the applicant that indicates their need for financial assistance to continue graduate studies, including an explanation of:
    • The financial assistance received during undergraduate studies
    • Overall and education-related debt
    • Ability/plans to pay for graduate school independently

Support

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By Ron VanDon
Ron VanDon Career Advising Specialist
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