Are you a Graduate student? If yes, hurry and apply for the USAID Payne fellowship for the year 2024.
At the end of the two years of study, the Payne Scholar must get a degree in International Development or another field of interest to the work of the USAID Foreign Service in a graduate American university or professional accredited school by the Payne Program.
The Fellows who successfully complete the Payne program USAID Foreign Service entry requirements will receive appointments as Foreign Service Officers with the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Payne fellowship Orientation
New Payne members will attend an orientation at Howard University in May, shortly after their selection. The objectives of this orientation are to familiarize members with all aspects of the fellowship and improve their understanding of careers in international development and strengthen their skills.
Payne fellowship Two Summer Internships
Payne Fellows will take part in two internships.
- The first, an internship in international issues in Washington, DC will be held this summer, after being selected and before the first year of postgraduate studies.
- The second will be an internship abroad in a USAID mission that will take place during the summer between the first two years of postgraduate studies. The program will provide stipends, accommodation, and transportation.
Payne fellowship Mentoring
Each Fellow will receive mentoring throughout the duration of the fellowship and during his/her early employment at USAID.
Payne fellowship Curriculum:
Fellows must obtain graduate degrees in international affairs or related subjects, such as development, economics, history, political science, public administration, communications, public policy, foreign language administration, agriculture, environmental science or urban planning at a graduate or professional school accredited by the Payne program.
Studies in law do not satisfy this requirement. Applicants apply to two-year graduate programs at U.S. universities simultaneously with their application to the Payne Program.
Employment/Contractual Obligations
Fellows who successfully complete the Payne Program and USAID Foreign Service entry requirements will receive appointments as USAID Foreign Service Officers. 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.
Candidates who do not successfully complete the Payne Program and the subsequent five-year service obligation may be subject to a reimbursement obligation.
What You Need To Know About The Payne Fellowship Application
LEVEL / FIELD OF SCHOLARSHIP
The Payne fellowship program is meant for graduate students at any of the American universities or professional accredited schools by the Payne Program.
HOST NATIONALITY
This scholarship is to be taken in the U.S.A. If you are an international student and you wish to study in the united state of America, check out the best scholarships obtainable for study in the United States of America
ELIGIBLE NATIONALITY
The scholarship is available to all U.S citizens. Read also if you wish to study outside your home country Simple and Detailed Answers about Applying and Winning a Scholarship.
Scholarship Benefits
The Payne Fellowship Program awards up to ten fellowships worth up to $ 48,000 per year for a two-year program.
The fellowship includes up to $ 22,000 per year for tuition and mandatory fees for completion of a two-year master’s degree at a U.S. institution and $ 16,000 for accommodation, food, books and other educational expenses every academic year; and up to $ 10,000 per year for housing, transportation and related expenses for summer internships.
USAID Payne Fellowship Eligibility
- Applicants must be US citizens.
- Applicants must be candidates to enter graduate school in the fall of 2024 for a two-year program at a US university. They can be in their last year of university studies and have graduated until June, or they can be graduates of the university.
- Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a scale of 4.0 at the time of application.
Note: Applicants are not required to be Howard University students or applying to Howard for graduate school.
How To Apply For The USAID Payne fellowship |Online application
A complete online application includes the following:
- Basic information (for example, name, contact information, international travel).
- A personal statement (in 600 words or less) that explains the candidate’s reasons for submitting an application, their interest in foreign affairs, their commitment to pursue a career in the USAID Diplomatic Service, and any relevant experience or information.
- A statement (in 400 words or less) of the applicant that indicates their need for financial assistance to continue graduate studies, explaining:
- The financial assistance received during undergraduate studies
- Overall, education-related debt
- Ability/plans to pay for graduate school independently
Two letters of recommendation:
- One from a faculty member who is well acquainted with the individual
- One from a community leader or other individual who can comment on the applicant’s non-academic accomplishments and his/her potential to serve as a USAID Foreign Service Officer.
- Note: In the online application, applicants will identify recommenders, who will be contacted by the program and asked to submit letters electronically. Below is a copy of the recommendation letter for your reference only.
Proof of US citizenship with a copy of: (choose one)
- birth certificate
- American citizenship certificate
- American passport
(Note: This file must be downloaded in an easy-to-read PDF format.) Applicants must bring the originals to interview if they are selected as finalists.)
Student Aid Report (SAR), created from the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA). Applicants should try to use financial data for 2024.
Note: Candidates upload this into the application in Word or PDF format.
GRE or GMAT Notes (Applicants must download a copy of the report sent to them.)
Note: Candidates upload this information in their Word or PDF format.)
An official statement on your last year’s financial assistance, if you have received financial assistance.
Note: Candidates upload this into the application in Word or PDF format. If you have not received financial support, you do not need to submit it.
Official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities to which the candidate has participated. Please use a transcript generated by the school. An official transcript is best; a student copy is acceptable if it is in the format of an official transcript. (If selected for an interview, you will have to bring an official transcript, in a sealed envelope, to the interview.)
Note: Candidates upload this into the application in Word or PDF format.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION
Received until December 21
| The program expects to have all documents to be submitted electronically. Should applicants have insuperable problems submitting a document electronically, they can consult with program staff about alternate methods. However, we strongly encourage you to submit documents electronically. |
| For all inquiries, please contact: |
| Paynefellows@howard.edu |
We recommend other scholarship opportunities.
- Young Farmers Scholarship Programme in Australia
- Warren Buffett Scholarship
- Student Financial Aid in the United States
- US and French Scientists, NIDA Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
- Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship for International Students at Robert Gordon University
- River Valley Cooperative Agriculture Scholarship in USA
- Foster Care-to-Success Scholarships
