The Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program, sponsored by USAID, aims to recruit exceptional individuals passionate about embarking on careers within the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Foreign Service.
If tackling the world’s most critical issues such as injustice, climate change, health crises, conflicts, and poverty aligns with your career aspirations and represents your commitment to upholding human dignity and American values of compassion, this fellowship is a strategic choice for you.
The Payne Fellowship offers a distinctive route to the USAID Foreign Service, providing an impressive package of up to $104,000 over two years to cover graduate education, internship opportunities, and professional growth activities.
Benefits
- The Payne Fellowship Program bestows up to 30 annual fellowships, each valued at a maximum of $52,000 for a duration of two years.
- It covers tuition and mandatory fees, up to $24,000 yearly, for the pursuit of a two-year master’s degree at any U.S. educational institution.
- A stipend of $18,000 per academic year is included to support costs for lodging, meals, books, and other educational expenses.
- For summer placements, the fellowship provides up to $10,000 annually, encompassing stipend, housing, transportation, and additional associated costs.
Program Overview
After completing the two-year academic journey, Payne Fellows must secure a qualification in international development or a related field relevant to the operations of the USAID Foreign Service.
They should earn this degree from a U.S.-based graduate or professional institution endorsed by the Payne Program.
Following the successful fulfilment of the Payne Program’s stipulations and the requisite entry criteria for the USAID Foreign Service. Payne Fellows will be offered positions as Foreign Service Officers within the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Orientation
The recently chosen Payne Fellows will participate in an initial orientation at Howard University in May, shortly following the validation of their selection.
This session aims to acquaint Fellows with the fellowship’s various aspects and to deepen their comprehension of the skills and knowledge required for careers in international development.
Two Summer Placements
Participants in the Payne Fellowship will undertake two summer placements. The initial internship will focus on international issues and be based in Washington, DC, occurring in the summer following the Fellow’s selection and prior to the commencement of graduate studies. The second internship will take place overseas at a USAID Mission, scheduled for the summer break between the first and second years of graduate education. The program will cover stipends, accommodation, and travel expenses.
Mentoring
Throughout the fellowship tenure and during the early stages of employment at USAID. Each Fellow will be assigned a mentor to guide and support their professional growth and development.
Curriculum
To comply with the fellowship’s academic stipulations. Fellows are mandated to pursue graduate degrees in international affairs or related disciplines such as political science. Economics, history, public administration, communications, business administration, foreign languages, agriculture, development studies, public policy, environmental sciences, or urban planning. This must be at a graduate or professional school vetted and approved by the Payne Program. Law studies are not considered an eligible field. Applicants concurrently apply to two-year graduate programs at U.S. universities along with their Payne Program application.
Employment/Contractual Obligations
After successfully completing the Payne Program and meeting the entry requirements for the USAID Foreign Service, Fellows become USAID Foreign Service Officers. Payne Fellows who earn a master’s degree must commit to a minimum of five years of service as a USAID Foreign Service Officer. Fellows who do not complete the Payne Program or the five-year service commitment may have to repay the benefits they received from the program.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants are required to hold U.S. citizenship.
- Prospective applicants must be planning to enroll in a two-year graduate program at a U.S.-based university commencing in the autumn of 2025. Eligibility extends to individuals who are in their final undergraduate year, anticipating graduation by May 2025. As well as to those who have already completed their college education.
- At the time of application, candidates must demonstrate a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 grading scale.
How to Apply
The program expects all applicants to submit the required documents in electronic format. If applicants encounter insurmountable issues with digital submission, they should contact the program staff. Via the provided email address on the official website to discuss alternative submission options.
However, the program strongly recommends submitting all documents electronically to streamline the process and ensure timely receipt.
To submit electronically, click on this link https://apply.paynefellows.org/
For additional information, visit the official website of USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship Program.
Application Deadline
October 24, 2025.
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