Back

The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship


Name: The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship – Linguistics and Language Track

Award Amount: $40,000

Information and Eligibility:
The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship – Linguistics and Language Track is designed for students who are committed to international service and who possess strong interests in global languages, linguistics, and cross-cultural communication. This prestigious fellowship helps prepare future U.S. Foreign Service Officers by supporting academic study in language-related majors while providing access to professional development, mentorship, and international exposure. Fellows receive funding toward tuition and essential educational expenses, along with structured training opportunities that deepen their understanding of diplomacy, cultural intelligence, and language-centered global engagement.

This track is especially well suited for students majoring in linguistics, world languages, translation, interpretation, applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, or other language-focused academic fields. Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence, a strong interest in international affairs, and a commitment to public service. Successful candidates often show meaningful experience in language study, intercultural programs, research, tutoring, or community involvement that highlights their dedication to multilingual communication. Throughout the fellowship, participants receive guidance from career mentors, access to internship placements, and participation in enrichment programs that build the professional competencies required for diplomatic service.

Application Requirements:

  • Enrollment in or acceptance to an accredited graduate program in a language-related field
  • Strong academic record with demonstrated interest in linguistics or world languages
  • Personal statement describing career goals in diplomacy and language-centered global work
  • Transcripts showing academic preparedness for graduate study
  • Letters of recommendation from instructors, advisors, or language professionals
  • Completion of the online application and all supplemental materials

Selection Criteria:

  • Commitment to public service and interest in representing the United States abroad
  • Strong academic preparation in linguistics or language studies
  • Clarity of professional goals related to diplomacy or international communication
  • Leadership experience, cultural engagement, or relevant language activities

Additional Details:

  • Recipients participate in structured professional development, mentoring, and preparatory training
  • Funding supports tuition, living expenses, books, and academic materials
  • Ideal for students aiming to enter the Foreign Service through language-based pathways
  • Program encourages linguistic diversity, cross-cultural understanding, and global leadership

Deadline:

September

Apply Now

View Grant / Fellowship Data

Request to Update or Remove This Grant / Fellowship. The CollegeWhale ID number for this Grant / Fellowship is #17398. This Grant / Fellowship was added in November 2025 and last reviewed by a member of our staff on November, 2025.

We are a human curated site and want our Grant / Fellowship database as accurate and up-to-date as possible. We appreciate your help in notifying us of any incorrect or out of date information pertaining to this Grant / Fellowship!

This Grant / Fellowship is tagged with the following criteria: Foreign Language / Linguistics / September

Grant Categorization

Foreign Language Grants Linguistics Grants September Grants

Compare Top Grants (CollegeWhale FastFind™)

The CollegeWhale FastFind™ surfaces similar grants based on this grant’s criteria. Sort by award amount, deadline month, or estimated effort to quickly identify strong college funding opportunities.

1

The American Philosophical Society Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Linguistic Field Research

The American Philosophical Society (APS) offers the Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research to support graduate students and early-career scholars conducting significant fieldwork in linguistics and related disciplines. This fund is designed to encourage exploratory research that

Award: Varies Deadline: February Est. Time: Med (~33 min)
2

The Center for Applied Linguistics Graduate Fellowship

The G. Richard Tucker Fellowship, offered by the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL), was established in 1992 in honor of Dr. Tucker and is awarded periodically to graduate students (master’s or Ph.D.) working in language-related fields. The fellowship allows recipients

Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Low (~28 min)
3

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (Linguistics Category)

The NSF GRFP supports outstanding graduate students who pursue full-time, research-based master’s or doctoral degrees in eligible STEM fields or the Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences—this includes the sub-field of Linguistics. The program helps ensure the vitality and strength of

Award: $37,000 Deadline: October Est. Time: Low (~28 min)
4

The Blakemore Freeman Fellowships for Advanced Asian Language and Linguistics Study

The Blakemore Freeman Fellowships support one academic year (two semesters or three quarters) of full-time, intensive study of a modern East or Southeast Asian language at an advanced level abroad. Eligible languages include Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian and

Award: Varies Deadline: December Est. Time: Med (~68 min)
5

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program (Linguistics Research Awards)

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers opportunities for U.S. citizens to conduct individually designed research, study, or teach English abroad. The Linguistics Research Awards category supports applicants who propose advanced research in linguistics—such as language documentation, sociolinguistics, applied linguistics, phonetics,

Award: Varies Deadline: October Est. Time: Med (~48 min)
6

The Boren Scholarships and Fellowships

The Boren Scholarships, administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) on behalf of the National Security Education Program (NSEP), fund U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in regions of the world critical to U.S. interests. These

Award: $25,000 Deadline: January Est. Time: Med (~48 min)
7

Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship

Name: Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program Award Amount: Up to $42,000 annually for a two-year period, covering...

Award: $42,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Med (~78 min)
8

Smithsonian Big Ten Academic Alliance Fellowship

The Smithsonian Big Ten Academic Alliance Fellowship is available to doctoral students from universities in the Big Ten Academic Alliance. Eligible applicants must have completed all degree requirements except the dissertation. The fellowship provides the opportunity for independent research in

Award: $45,000 Deadline: October Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
9

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is one of the most prestigious international educational exchange programs in the world. Funded by the U.S. government and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), it provides grants for graduating college seniors, recent

Award: Varies Deadline: October Est. Time: Med (~78 min)

Multi Million Dollar College Grant & Fellowship Database.

CollegeWhale offers one of the only true College Grant and Fellowship Databases online. Our College Grant and Fellowship Database is one of the largest databases, containing multi-millions of dollars in college Grant and Fellowship money. Unlike other online databases, ours is college Grant and Fellowship specific, it is not mixed with college scholarship opportunities. Get matched with TONS of college Grants and Fellowships in just a few simple clicks. Grant and Fellowship money for college made simple, period.


Find More Grants
Grant Database