This is a single federal contract-style award to run the selection process for the 2027 Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship: screening applications, managing scoring portals, and coordinating D.C. interview panels over 3-6 months. It suits an experienced nonprofit, higher-ed institution, or non-small for-profit with federal administrative capacity. Small businesses should not bother applying, and organizations without event logistics and secure data-handling experience will not be competitive.
| Industry | Estimated fit |
|---|---|
| Education & TrainingMatches your industry (training) | 49 |
| Transportation & LogisticsMatches your industry (logistics) | 48 |
| Finance & BankingMatches your industry (financial) | 45 |
| Arts & CultureLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 43 |
| Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 41 |
| Technology & SoftwareLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 41 |
| Industry | Estimated fit |
|---|---|
| Food & BeverageLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 38 |
| Environment & ConservationLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 37 |
| Healthcare & BiotechLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 37 |
| ManufacturingLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 37 |
| Housing & Real EstateLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 36 |
| Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 36 |
| Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 34 |
| Energy & Clean TechLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 34 |
| Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 32 |
These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.
The State Department will fund one organization (nonprofits, higher-ed institutions, or for-profits other than small businesses) to run the selection process for the 2027 Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship: screening applications, managing scoring portals, coordinating D.C. interview panels, and handling honoraria and travel logistics over a 3-6 month cooperative agreement. Cost sharing is.
Background & Goal:
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Human Resources, Outreach, Fellowships, and Internships Division (HR/OFI) announces an open competition for an eligible organization to manage operational, logistical, and administrative functions for the candidate selection process of the 2027 Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program. Authorized under 22 U.S.C. 2719 and 22 U.S.C. 3901 et seq., this 3-to-6 month Cooperative Agreement (December 2026 – March 2027) aims to execute a rigorous, standardized, and merit-based evaluation cycle to identify 10 premier Pickering Fellows and qualified alternates dedicated to Foreign Service careers.
Problem Statement:
Identifying top diplomatic talent requires multi-stage candidate evaluation on a condensed timeline. Without dedicated administrative support, the Department risks operational delays, inconsistent scoring, and logistical bottlenecks. The Recipient must execute screening, maintain secure scoring platforms, manage Washington, D.C. panel interviews, and handle honoraria and travel logistics under strict federal standards to ensure high-caliber candidates are evaluated without delay.
Key Objectives & Outcomes:
Application Screening & Semi-Finalist Selection: Screen 100% of applications by January 2027 against eligibility criteria (U.S. citizenship, 3.2+ GPA, financial need, master’s program plans). Provide secure portal access to 18 selection panelists to score applicants and select 90 semi-finalists by February 2027.
Panel Management & Evaluation: Coordinate D.C. final evaluations (3.5-day interview panel, 2-day essay panel), manage mandatory BEX-led panelist training, and disburse per diem-compliant panelist honoraria ($500/day).
Final Selection & Data Transfer: Compile rank-ordered scores, issue selectee/alternate notifications within 2 working days of HR/OFI approval, and transfer complete selection data packages within 2 weeks of completion.
The listing does not include detailed eligibility text. Check the official listing before you apply.
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