The USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program seeks to attract outstanding individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). If you want to work on the front lines of some of the most pressing global challenges of our times – injustice, climate change, health, conflict, and poverty, and more – the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development provides an opportunity to advance U.S. foreign policy interests and reflect the American people’s compassion and support of human dignity. The Payne Fellowship, which provides up to $104,000 in benefits over two years for graduate school, internships, and professional development activities, is a unique pathway to the USAID Foreign Service.

Review the FAQs page for details about grad school, the application and more.

Payne Fellowship Overview

Tuesday, September 7, 2023 from 6:30PM-7:30PM EST Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from 6:30PM-7:30PM EST

Payne Fellowship Overview – Tribal Colleges and Southwest Area Schools:

Wednesday, September 12, 2023 at 6:30PM-7:30PM EST

Understanding a Career with USAID:

Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 6:30PM-7:30PM EST

Payne Fellowship Application Technical Assistance:

Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 6:30PM-7:30PM EST

Life as a Payne Fellow:

Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 6:30PM-7:30PM EST

 Payne International Development Fellowship Timeline

2024 Payne Application Opens

July 20, 2023

2024 Payne Application Closes

October 26, 2023

Finalists Notified

December 8, 2023

Final-round Interviews

January 16 – 19, 2024

Fellows Award Notifications Sent

January 22, 2024

 For tips to submit a competitive application: Applications Tips.

Contact Amy Kehoe for help with any application questions. Thank you!

 Amy Kehoe (she, her)

Associate Director for Global Education

Office of Fellowships, Northwestern University