Payne Fellowship Program

The Payne Fellowship Program awards up to thirty fellowships valued at up to $52,000 for a two-year Master’s program at a U.S. institution. At the conclusion of two years of study, the Payne Fellow is expected to obtain a degree in international development or another area of relevance to the work of the USAID Foreign Service at a U.S. graduate or professional school approved by the Payne Program.

Fellows who successfully complete the Payne Program and USAID Foreign Service entry requirements will receive appointments as Foreign Service Officers with the U.S. Agency for International Development. Each Payne Fellow who obtains a master’s degree is committed to a minimum of five years of service as a USAID Foreign Service Officer.

Conditions of Eligibility

  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
  • Applicants must be seeking admission to enter graduate school in the fall of 2025 for a two-year program at a U.S. university. They can be in the senior year of their undergraduate studies, graduating by June 2025, or they can be college graduates.
  • Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.

Application Materials

  • Online application
  • A personal statement (in 600 words or less) that discusses the applicant’s reasons for applying, interest in foreign affairs, commitment to pursue a USAID Foreign Service career and any relevant experience or information.
  • A statement (in 400 words or less) from the applicant that discusses his/her need for financial assistance to attend graduate school.
  • Two letters of recommendation
    • Note: In the online application, applicants will identify recommenders, who will be contacted by the program and asked to submit letters electronically.
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship
  • Student Aid Report (SAR) generated from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
  • Official Transcripts from ALL colleges and universities the applicant has attended for credit.

Application Deadline

University nomination is not required; the national deadline is Nov. 1, 11:59 pm EST.