US grant · Katherine Wright Grantor
2027 Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program – Selection
Up to $85,855 Closes November 23, 2026
Official listing and how to apply
Source: Grants.gov · Last checked
Key facts
| Funder | Katherine Wright Grantor |
|---|---|
| Part of | Department of State |
| Opportunity number | DFOP0019966 |
| Amount per award | Up to $85,855 |
| Opens | October 27, 2026 |
| Closes | November 23, 2026 (13 days left) |
| Who can apply | Schools and universities, Businesses, Nonprofits |
| Applicant types listed | Private institutions of higher education; Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Public and State controlled institutions of higher education; For profit organizations other than small businesses; Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education |
| State or area | Nationwide |
| Cost sharing or match | Required |
| Status | Open |
| Source | Grants.gov |
| Last checked | November 10, 2026 |
About this grant
Summary from the official listing on Grants.gov:
Funding Opportunity Description
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Human Resources, Office of Outreach, Fellowships, and Internships (HR/OFI) announces an open competition for a qualified organization to manage the candidate screening, panel review, and selection process for the 2027 Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program under a Cooperative Agreement. This specialized selection project serves as a crucial gateway to identify top-tier, merit-based graduate talent across the nation for entry into the Foreign Service.
Project Goal and Objectives
The project aims to establish a rigorous, objective, and standardized multi-phase selection infrastructure that identifies candidates with the technical expertise and leadership required to advance U.S. foreign policy and international development priorities.
Key objectives include:
Panel Formation & Honoraria Management: Onboard qualified selection panelists (tenured Foreign Service Officers, backstop coordinators, and Senior Foreign Service Nationals) by January 2027 and administer panelist honoraria ($500/day for eligible non-USG panelists).
Panel Training & Scoring Execution: Coordinate mandatory panelist training with HR/OFI and the Board of Examiners (BEX) in December 2026/January 2027, and facilitate secure electronic scoring to determine semi-finalists.
Finalist Assessment & Selection: Execute the final selection stage in February 2027 by conducting structured interviews, administering essay assessments, and calculating composite scores to select up to 10 Payne Fellows and alternates.
Onboarding Transition: Secure acceptance agreements, notify non-selected applicants within two working days, and transfer cohort records to HR/OFI to initiate medical and Top Secret security clearances by late February 2027.
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