The U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program aims to draw exceptional people who would like to work in the Foreign Service. If foreign policy interests and the compassion and support of the American people for human dignity are important to you, you should work at the forefront of addressing some of the most important global issues of our day, such as poverty, injustice, health, conflict, and climate change.

The Payne Fellowship offers a special route to the USAID Foreign Service, offering up to $104,000 in benefits over two years for graduate education, internships, and professional development activities.

Program Overview:

For a two-year program, the Payne Fellowship Program offers up to 30 fellowships worth up to $52,000 annually. A two-year master's degree at a U.S. institution may be completed for up to $24,000 per year in tuition and mandatory fees; an academic year stipend of $18,000 may be used for room, board, books, and other education-related expenses; and a summer placement stipend of up to $10,000 may be used for housing, transportation, and related costs.

After completing two years of study at a U.S. graduate or professional school designated by the Payne Program, the Payne Fellow is expected to earn a degree in international development or another field relevant to the work of the USAID Foreign Service.

Fellows will be appointed as Foreign Service Officers with the US Agency for International Development upon successful completion of the Payne Program and USAID Foreign Service admission criteria.

Payne 2025 Cycle Timeline:

• Application Opens
  • Friday July 19, 2024
• Application Closes 
  • Thursday, October 24, 2024 (11:59 PM EST)
• Finalists Notified 
  • December 5, 2024
• Virtual Writing Assessment 
  • January 6, 2025
• Virtual Final Round Interviews 
  • January 21 - 23, 2025
• Fellows Award Notifications Sent 
  • January 27, 2025