Top Fellowships and Programs for International Affairs, Diplomacy, and Study Abroad After Graduation

INTRODUCTION

Below are a few of the best fellowships, programs, and professional growth chances for post-undergraduate individuals keen on international affairs, diplomacy, studying/teaching overseas, or politics.

Language and Cultural Exchange Programs

Fulbright Program: Offers opportunities for recent graduates to teach English, conduct research, or pursue graduate studies abroad.

Critical Language Scholarship: Intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students in languages critical to U.S. national security and economic prosperity.

Boren Awards: Provides funding for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests.

Luce Scholars Program: Provides professional placements and immersive experiences in Asia for young leaders with little to no experience in Asia, fostering greater understanding of the region.

Early-Career Professional Fellowships

Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program: Prepares outstanding young people for careers in the U.S. Foreign Service through graduate fellowships and professional development.

Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship: Provides funding and training for outstanding students to pursue Foreign Service careers with the U.S. Department of State.

Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship: Supports individuals interested in USAID Foreign Service careers, providing graduate school funding and professional development.

Presidential Management Fellows Program: A prestigious two-year paid government fellowship for recent graduate students seeking opportunities in federal government agencies.

Research and Policy Fellowships

Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship: Provides college graduates with opportunities to work on key issues of peace and security in Washington, D.C.

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellows Program: Offers one-year fellowships to graduating seniors and recent graduates to work as research assistants at the Carnegie Endowment.

Robert A. Belfer International Affairs Fellowship in European Security: Enables mid-career U.S. professionals to conduct research and work in Europe on issues related to European security.

International Development and Humanitarian Work

Princeton in Africa/Asia/Latin America: Year-long fellowship programs for recent college graduates to work with organizations across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship: Supports graduate education and entry into USAID Foreign Service careers, focusing on international development challenges.

Peace Corps: A U.S. government program that offers American citizens the opportunity to volunteer abroad for two years, working on grassroots projects in areas like education, health, and community development. Volunteers immerse themselves in different cultures, making a lasting impact while gaining valuable skills in leadership, language, and cross-cultural understanding.

Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

Schwarzman Scholars Program: Provides future leaders a one-year, fully funded master’s program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, focused on global leadership and China’s role in the world.

Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship: Assists mid-career scholars and professionals in advancing their analytic capabilities and broadening their foreign policy experience.

Wilson Center Fellowship: Residential fellowships for academics, public officials, journalists, and business professionals to conduct research and write in their areas of interest.

Graduate School Funding

Rhodes Scholarship: One of the oldest and most prestigious international scholarship programs, it enables young leaders from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.

Gates Cambridge Scholarship: Awards full scholarships to outstanding applicants from outside the UK to pursue a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge, focusing on leadership and public service.

DACOR Bacon House Foundation Fellowships: Provides scholarships and fellowships to students pursuing careers in diplomacy, development, and international relations.

World Politics and Statecraft Fellowship: Supports PhD dissertation research on American foreign policy, international relations, and related fields.

Marshall Scholarship: Finances young Americans of high ability to study for a graduate degree in the United Kingdom.

Public Policy and Government

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Public Policy Fellowship: Offers exceptional Latino/a/x college graduates and young professionals experience in the nation's capital, focusing on public policy.

Harold W. Rosenthal Fellowship in International Relations: Provides graduate students opportunities to spend a summer working with Congress, the State Department, or other federal agencies.

Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship: Encourages research at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars on issues related to Central European-American relations.

These opportunities offer diverse pathways for post-undergraduate students to gain experience, conduct research, and develop their careers in international affairs, diplomacy, and related fields. Each program has specific eligibility requirements and application processes, so it's important to research them thoroughly to find the best fit for your goals and qualifications.