Are you on your way to find a worthwhile fellowship program? If yes, your search then might find the outcome here. There is an opportunity in the United States. Applications are open and invited for The USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program that invites applications. The fellowship program is laced with very attractive benefits to enjoy with. The program is for those exceptional individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Let’s now check out the complete details about The Payne Fellowship Program ahead in the post.
Information about The Payne Fellowship Program
If you are one who loves working on the front lines of some of the most pressing world challenges of our times such as hunger, poverty, disease, injustice, climate change, environmental degradation, conflict, and violent extremism, the Foreign Service of the United States Agency for International Development provides a chance (opportunity) to enhance U.S. foreign policy interests and reflect the American people’s compassion and support of human dignity.
The Payne Fellowship is all set to offer up to $104,000 in benefits over 2 years for graduate school, professional development activities, and internships. This fellowship happens to be a novel pathway to the USAID Foreign Service.
Fellowship for Graduate Studies – The Payne Fellowship Program (Financial Benefits)
There are up to thirty fellowships available under The Payne Fellowship Program which are valued at up to $52,000 per year for a 2 years program. This award includes up to $24,000 per year which will be offered towards tuition and mandatory fees to complete a two-year Master’s degree program at a United States institution. A $18,000 stipend will be provided for each academic year for board, room, books, and other education-relevant expenditures. A $10,000 stipend per year will be offered for housing, transportation, and relevant expenditures for summer placements.
After the conclusion of the two-year study program, the fellows will be expected to obtain a degree in international development or another field of relevance to the work of the USAID Foreign Service at a U.S. graduate or professional school which should be approved by the Payne Program. Those fellows who successfully complete the Payne Program and USAID Foreign Service entry requirements will be provided with appointments as Foreign Service Officers with the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Orientation
As a new Payne Fellows, you will participate in an orientation to be held at Howard University in May shortly after your selection. The purpose of this orientation is to familiarize you with all aspects of this fellowship program and increase your understanding and skills, etc.
Two Summer Placements
Under The Payne Fellowship Program, fellows will participate in two internships. The first one is an internship that lets you work on international issues in Washington, DC. It will take place in the summer after you are selected and before the first year of the graduate study program. The second one will be an international (overseas) internship in a USAID Mission which occurs during the summer between the first and second years of graduate study. This program will offer you housing, stipends, and transportation.
Mentoring
Mentoring will be provided. Each fellow will get mentoring throughout the fellowship duration as well as during his or her early employment taken place at USAID.
Curriculum
As a fellow, you have to obtain a graduate degree in international affairs or a relevant subject like economics, development, political science, history, public administration, public policy, communications, business administration foreign languages, environmental sciences, agriculture, or urban planning at a graduate or professional school that needs to be approved by the Payne Program. Studies conducted in law do not satisfy this requirement. Applicants apply to 2 years graduate programs at United States universities at the same time (simultaneously) with their application to the Payne Program.
Employment or Contractual Obligations
If as a fellow, you complete the Payne Fellowship Program successfully and USAID Foreign Service entry requirements, you will receive appointments as USAID Foreign Service Officers. It is to be noted that each fellow who gets a master’s degree is committed to at least 5 years of service as a USAID Foreign Service Officer.
Those who do not complete the program successfully and the subsequent 5 years of service obligation could be subject to a reimbursement obligation.
Eligibility Criteria
- You need to be in the age bracket of 18 to 58.
- Applicants have to be U.S. citizens.
- They have to be searching for admission to enter graduate school in the fall of 2024 for a 2 years program at a United States university. The applicants can be in the senior year of undergraduate degree graduating by June 2024 or they may be college graduates.
- They have to possess a CGPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale by the time they apply (at the time of application).
Deadline for Applications
The last date for application submission is 26th October 2023. You need to be quick in applying, as early application is always advisable.
How to Apply for The Payne Fellowship Program
There is an application process that needs to be followed very carefully. Interested candidates are advised to visit the official call for the fellowship program, study the complete details and check the application process before applying.
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