The Payne International Development Fellowship Program aims to attract exceptional individuals interested in pursuing careers within the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). If you're passionate about addressing critical global challenges like poverty, hunger, injustice, disease, environmental degradation, climate change, conflict, and violent extremism, then the USAID Foreign Service offers a platform to promote U.S. foreign policy interests while reflecting American values of compassion and support for human dignity.

The Payne Fellowship is a unique opportunity, providing up to $104,000 in benefits over two years for graduate school, internships, and professional development activities, all serving as a distinct pathway to a career in the USAID Foreign Service.

Here's an overview of the Payne Program:

- **Graduate Fellowships**: The program grants up to thirty fellowships, valued at up to $52,000 annually for a two-year period. This includes financial support of up to $24,000 per year towards tuition and mandatory fees for a two-year master's degree at a U.S. institution. Additionally, each academic year includes an $18,000 stipend for room, board, books, and related educational expenses, as well as up to $10,000 per year for stipends, housing, transportation, and other expenses during summer placements.

Upon successful completion of the two-year program, Payne Fellows are expected to earn a degree in international development or a relevant field aligned with the USAID Foreign Service's work. Subsequently, they become eligible for appointments as Foreign Service Officers with the U.S. Agency for International Development.

The typical fellowship journey commences with candidate selection in mid-January. Successful candidates receive guidance via email shortly after interviews. Following selection, Payne Program staff collaborate closely with fellows to initiate security and medical clearances and facilitate their placement in a summer internship in Washington, DC, along with a USAID Foreign Service Mentor. Participation in the Payne Program is contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment procedures specified by USAID, encompassing background investigations for security clearance and medical examinations.

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