Public Service Opportunities
Boren Award
The Boren Awards provides funding for study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests. It is open to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who commit to seek work in the federal government for a specified period of time. Because this scholarship involves a campus review process, prospective applicants should check the CMU Boren webpage for the internal campus undergraduate and graduate deadlines.
Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs
The Coro Fellows Program develops emerging leaders to work and lead across different sectors by equipping them with knowledge, skills, and networks to accelerate positive change.
DCAS Urban Fellows
New York City Urban Fellows is a nationally recognized and highly competitive, nine-month fellowship program that explores current urban issues through unique learning seminars and first-hand exposure to public sector leaders. Urban Fellows are placed at an array of agencies across the City where they learn about public policy and work closely with leaders engaged in policy and operational work. A stipend is offered to fellows accepted into the program.
FAO Schwarz Fellowship
The FAO Schwarz Fellowship in social impact provides graduating seniors interested in careers in social change opportunities to develop their leadership potential and professional skills. Fellowship positions are paid, two-year experiences working at leading nonprofit organizations in Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia both in direct service roles and in leading key program initiatives. In addition to salary and benefits, Fellowships include professional development, retreats, mentoring, and cohort experiences. Six or seven new Fellowship positions are typically available each year. Applicants must be college seniors who are eligible to work in the U.S. for the duration of the fellowship.
Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship
The Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship seeks to attract top technology talent to the Foreign Service that reflects the diversity of the United States. The FAIT Fellowship program values varied backgrounds, including ethnic, racial, gender, geographic diversity, and those with financial need. The program is designed for highly talented individuals who want to pursue an IT-related undergraduate or graduate degree (such as computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, computer engineering, IT services administration, and computer systems networking and more), and a career in the Foreign Service. The two-year fellowship program provides up to $43,500 annually (for two years) in graduate funding, as well as domestic and overseas internships. Upon successful completion of the fellowship program and the State Department’s entry requirements, fellows receive an appointment in the Foreign Service as an Information Management Specialist for a minimum of five years.
Noble Reach Scholars
The Noble Reach Scholars Program seeks out exceptional graduating seniors and recent graduates in a variety of tech-related fields to embark on a one- or two-year fully funded experience in Washington, DC working within government or mission-driven private-sector organizations in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, computing & cybersecurity, business process innovation, and materials & manufacturing. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have authorization to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship. A minimum GPA of 3.2 and interest/experience in one of the strategic domains is required.
Pickering Fellowship
The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program is a program funded by the U.S. Department of State, administered by Howard University, that attracts and prepares outstanding young people for Foreign Service careers in the U.S. Department of State. It welcomes the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the State Department, women, and those with a demonstrated financial need for graduate school. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with a 3.2+ GPA seeking admission to a two-year, full-time, on-campus, master’s degree program at a U.S.-based graduate institution in an academic field relevant to the work of the Foreign Service (public policy, international affairs, public administration, business, economics, political science, management science, organizational development/leadership, sociology, or regional studies).
PPIA Junior Summer Institutes
The Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA) is a not-for-profit organization that has been supporting efforts to increase diversity in graduate studies for public policy, international affairs, and public service for over 40 years. Each year, PPIA seeks out high-potential undergraduate students from universities across the country to participate in an intensive seven-week Junior Summer Institute before their senior year. During the JSI summer program, fellows are equipped with the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in graduate school and ultimately, in influential roles serving the public good. Applicants must be juniors and U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients with a commitment to a Master's degree in public and/or international affairs and demonstrated interest in a public service career (government, humanitarian, and international organizations).
Princeton in Asia
Princeton in Asia (PiA) fellowships place successful applicants in a variety of fellowship positions across East, South, and Southeast Asia to foster mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding between the United States and Asia. Applicants can be graduating seniors or recent alumni and must have professional proficiency in English (English teaching positions require native or near-native English-speaking ability). Candidates may have master's degrees, but not terminal or professional degrees (e.g., Ph.D., JD, MD). Applicants may be U.S. citizens or citizens of other countries, but must be able to obtain a visa to their targeted host country.
Rangel Fellowship
The Rangel Program is a U.S. State Department program administered by Howard University that seeks to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers as diplomats in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State. The Program seeks individuals interested in helping to shape a freer, more secure and prosperous world through formulating, representing, and implementing U.S. foreign policy. The Program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with a 3.2+ GPA and seeking admission to enter graduate school for a two-year program at a U.S. university in an area of relevance to the Foreign Service. They can be in the senior year of their undergraduate studies or they can be college graduates.
SMART
The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation Scholarship is an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields to receive a full scholarship and be gainfully employed in a Department of Defense research facility upon graduation. Applicants must be citizens of the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the UK.
Tillman Scholarship
The Tillman Scholarship provides funding for academic expenses, including tuition, books and living expenses, as well as continuing leadership development opportunities. Applicants must be active duty service members, veterans, or military spouses who are pursuing full-time undergraduate, graduate, or professional degrees at accredited U.S.-based institutions.
Udall Scholarship
The Udall Scholarship awards $7,000 to U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents who are sophomores or juniors committed to a career related to the environment, or to Native American sophomores or juniors interested in tribal policy or health care. Because this scholarship requires a campus nomination, prospective applicants should check the CMU Udall webpage for the internal campus deadline.
USAID Donald M. Payne International Development
The USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship seeks to attract outstanding individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The Payne Fellowship encourages the application of individuals from historically underrepresented groups in the Foreign Service as well as those with financial need. Candidates can be graduating seniors or college graduates with strong academic records and a desire to promote positive change in the world. The fellowship provides up to $104,000 in benefits over two years for graduate school, internships, and professional development activities. Upon successful completion of the Payne Program and USAID entry requirements, Fellows receive an appointment to the USAID Foreign Service, with a required five years of service.
Voyager Scholarship
The Voyager Scholarship is a merit- and need-based scholarship that provides $50,000 in tuition assistance during the final two years of undergraduate studies, in addition to providing $10,000 for a Summer Voyage service-based internship abroad between the junior and senior year. Applicants must be sophomores who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients with a demonstrated commitment to public service, a demonstrated history of receiving need-based financial aid, and plans to pursue a career in public service (i.e., education, government, nonprofit, etc.).