Deadlines
- Northeastern: 10/12/2023
- Fellowship: 10/12/2023
Contact
If you meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in applying for this fellowship, please fill out a preliminary questionnaire. You may contact the office with any questions.
Award Details
The Foreign Agricultural Service International Agricultural Fellowship Program (IAFP) is a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that identifies and prepares individuals interested in careers in USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
The FAS International Agricultural Fellowship Program provides graduate fellowships to qualified individuals who will attend two-year graduate programs in Agribusiness or Agricultural Economics at U.S. universities, provide two summer internships – one domestic and one overseas, offers mentoring from Foreign Service Officers, and provides professional development activities. Fellows enter the Foreign Agricultural Service upon successful completion of the IAFP and USDA entry requirements. There is a five-year service obligation.
The program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in USDA and those with financial need. It is open to students and alumni of all universities and with any major. Based on the fundamental principle that diversity is a strength in U.S. engagement with the world, the program values candidates representing a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnic, racial, social, and geographic diversity.
The program ensures that the Foreign Agricultural Service benefits from the diverse perspectives of Americans from different backgrounds and provides a source of trained women and men who are dedicated to pursuing Foreign Service careers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
US Citizenship Required
Minimum GPA: 3.2
This is a highly selective program. To be eligible to participate, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be seeking enrollment into a two-year graduate degree at a U.S. university for the Fall 2024 in a Agribusiness or Agricultural Economics master’s program.
- Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
The FAS International Agricultural Selection Panel judges each applicant based on a variety of different criteria. It seeks individuals who show clear interest in a Foreign Service career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service, along with a strong academic background, a commitment to service, leadership skills, financial need for graduate school, diverse interests in areas such as international affairs and government, cultural sensitivity, writing skills, and an ability to overcome obstacles. A good application introduces the individual to the panel and shows his/her/their unique motivations, experiences, accomplishments, and goals for a Foreign Service career. Thus, there is no specific formula for preparing a competitive application, as each applicant is unique. However, below are a few tips.
1) Review all application requirements for the fellowship to ensure you are eligible and prepared.
2) Clearly explain in your statement of interest your motivations for applying for the fellowship and identify the background, experiences, skills, and motivation that you believe will make you successful in the FAS Foreign Service.
3) Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
In a 450-word statement, applicants should demonstrate their understanding of the value of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility and explain how they have worked to enhance diversity equity, inclusion and accessibility in their academic, professional, or personal capacities. Applicants should read carefully the FAS statement on DEIA to understand the agency’s perspective and use it as a reference as they write their statements. A good statement will demonstrate a clear understanding of the value of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access in an effective administration and achievement of institutional goals. It will provide specific examples of applicant sensitivity to these issues and prior contributions to advance DEIA principles. The statement will demonstrate effective writing skills.
4) Demonstrate a strong academic background.
Applicants should provide official transcripts for ALL colleges or universities that they have attended, including study abroad programs, for which they have received more than six credits. Failure to submit all transcripts upfront can halt the consideration of an application. Applicants should request transcripts early and ensure that they are submitted to the IAFP Program before the deadline. The panel reviews all academic transcripts, looking for course work that would, overall, normally indicate particular academic ability and rigor or that is relevant to FAS Foreign Service skill needs. There is no specific requirement for an academic major, and the panel is interested in the applicant’s overall academic background. However, it does look for coursework in the following areas: Mathematics /Quantitative Courses and/or Sciences; English; Economics, Business, and/or Political Science; and foreign language skill or studies. Coursework in these areas is not required but can be a useful indicator of success in graduate school and beyond.
5) Obtain strong letters of recommendation and ensure they arrive on time.
The fellowship requests two letters of recommendation, one from a faculty member and one from a community leader. The community leader should be an individual in a position of responsibility who can comment on the applicant’s non-academic accomplishments and potential, including work ethic, initiative, dependability, composure, goal-orientation, interpersonal skills, etc. Examples of community leaders could include an internship supervisor, a faculty advisor for a student organization, or a work employer or supervisor.
6) Demonstrate the need for financial assistance to attend graduate school.
The selection panel factors economic status into the selection process. It is interested in learning about backgrounds that show financial disadvantage or applicants’ needs to secure non-family economic assistance to attend graduate school. There are many different manifestations of financial need, including reliance on grants and loans as an undergraduate student, accumulation of significant student debt, the need to work while in school, lack of family resources, choice of less expensive schools, and/or discontinuation of family support for graduate school. Applicants can help the selection panel to understand their particular financial situation in the following ways:
7) Include in your application all relevant extracurricular, community, and volunteer experience.
The panel is particularly interested in extracurricular, community, or volunteer activities that show a commitment to service and to social causes, public policy, and related issues. Applicants should list all such activities and indicate their level of engagement and any leadership roles that they have had in such activities. A leadership role does not have to be a formal officer position but could also include activities such as coordinating events, spearheading a fundraising drive, or chairing a committee. Applicants should use clear action verbs to describe their involvement. The panel also values work experiences that show an interest in service and social causes, public policy, and related issues.
8) List all relevant college, university, or professional honors and awards
These honors and awards could include inclusion in the Dean’s List, service or academic awards, scholarships, selection for prestigious programs, membership in academic or service organizations, or any other honor the individual would like to highlight in their academic or professional career.
9) Proofread all aspects of your application carefully; submit all application materials on time.
The fellowship selection process is very competitive. Applications that are polished, well written, address all requirements, and arrive on time and complete generally create a favorable impression. You can track the status of your application and recommendations online.
Foreign Agricultural Service International Agricultural Fellowship Program plans to award two fellowships up to $42,000 annually for a two–year graduate program at a U.S. university toward tuition, room, board, books, and mandatory fees for completion of their Agribusiness or Agricultural Economic degrees. This includes up to $24,000 a year for tuition and mandatory fees and an academic year stipend of $18,000.
Fellows will participate in an orientation at Howard University in Washington D.C. in late May. The purpose of this orientation is to familiarize the Fellows with all aspects of the fellowship and to enhance their understanding of, and skills for, FAS Foreign Service careers.
Fellows will participate in two internships. The first, an internship working at the Foreign Agricultural Service headquarters in Washington, D.C., will occur in summer 2024, before the fellows begin their graduate degrees. The second internship will be an overseas placement in a U.S. Embassy or Consulate that takes place during the summer in between the first and second year of graduate studies. The program provides a stipend for internship participation and offers support for travel, housing, and other related expenses.
Upon accepting the fellowship, the selected finalists will sign a contract with USDA Foreign Agricultural Service that outlines the benefits and responsibilities of a Fellow. Fellows must be able to obtain and maintain security and medical clearances in order to remain in the program. Fellows also agree to a minimum three-year service commitment in the Department of Agriculture FAS Foreign Service. A minimum five-year service commitment begins upon entry into the Foreign Service. Failure to meet the contractual obligations, including obtaining and maintaining required security and medical clearances, may result in your disqualification from the fellowship program and repayment to the U.S. Government of education-related financial assistance
Completed applications will include the following materials.
Personal background information (e.g., name, contact information, language skills).
A personal statement (650 words or less) that discusses the applicant’s reasons for applying, interest in international affairs, commitment to pursue a career in the Foreign Service of the Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service, and any relevant experience or information.
Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can explain why you are uniquely qualified for the fellowship. One letter must be from a professor, faculty member, or instructor. The other letter may be from someone else familiar with your college, volunteer, work, or community activities.
- Note: Applicants will include contact information for recommenders in the online application. Recommenders will be sent an email with instructions to submit letters electronically.
A statement of financial need (400 words or less) that discusses the applicant’s need for financial assistance to attend graduate school, including an explanation of financial assistance received during undergraduate studies and first year of graduate school; overall education-related debt; and ability/plans to pay for graduate school independently.
A statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (450 words or less) Applicants should demonstrate their understanding of the value of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) and explain how they have worked to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in their academic, professional or personal capacity.
Official financial aid award letter from the applicant’s last year of undergraduate studies if she/he received financial aid. Applicants must submit a Financial Aid Letter listing grants or loans unless they did not receive aid.
FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) for the 2023-2024 academic year. If an applicant received financial aid during the most recent academic year, she/he is required to submit the SAR form. If an applicant did not receive financial aid during the most recent academic year, she/he must complete the FAFSA to generate a SAR for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Proof of U.S. citizenship, which may include a copy of (choose one) a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or certificate of naturalization.
**Applicants are required to bring originals to the interview if selected as a finalist.
Transcripts from all colleges and universities the applicant has attended for credit. Please upload university-generated transcripts. An official transcript would be best; a student copy is acceptable if it is in the format of an official transcript (must list your name, institution name, and most recent/final GPA). Transcripts are required from any school from which the applicant has received more than six credits.
**If you are selected for an interview, you will have to bring an official transcript in a signed, sealed envelope, to the interview.
A copy of the GRE/GMAT scores report sent to the student (optional).
Interested? Have Questions?
If you meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in a fellowship or opportunity, please fill out a preliminary questionnaire. Contact the office with any questions: