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.
Application Deadline: October 24th, 2024 11:59 EST
Website: paynefellows.org
Flyer: Download Here
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
- 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
Need help writing with writing personal statements?
Be sure to visit:
- Triton Advising Center — EC 202, M-F, 8 am to 5 pm
- D.E.A.L Writing Center — Visit Website or complete their application form.
