Charles B. Rangel Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program Selection Grant
🏛 Bureau of Human Resources
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 27, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for eligible organizations to manage the candidate selection process for the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program. The recipient must coordinate application screening, maintain secure scoring portals, and conduct virtual interviews for approximately 100+ applicants nationwide. The selected organization will execute evaluation and administration functions over a 3-6 month period (January-March 2027) under a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Department of State.
Organizations must demonstrate capacity to handle sensitive candidate data, coordinate with federal panelists, process honoraria compliance, and execute a standardized merit-based evaluation cycle. Experience managing large-scale selection processes, federal compliance knowledge, and administrative infrastructure are essential.
No specific geographic restrictions apply. This is a specialized administrative contract requiring demonstrated expertise in fellowship program management and federal grant administration protocols.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
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 Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program. Authorized pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2719 and 22 U.S.C. 3901 et seq., this 3-to-6 month Cooperative Agreement (January – March 2027) aims to execute a rigorous, standardized, and merit-based evaluation cycle to identify top-tier Rangel Fellows and qualified alternates dedicated to Foreign Service careers.
Problem Statement:
Evaluating top diplomatic talent across nationwide applicant pools on a condensed timeline requires specialized administrative expertise. Without a dedicated partner, the Department risks operational delays, inconsistent evaluation practices, and logistical bottlenecks. The Recipient must execute eligibility screening, maintain secure electronic scoring portals, coordinate virtual interview committee sessions, conduct Board of Examiners (BEX) briefings, and manage panelist honoraria under strict federal standards to ensure candidates are evaluated objectively and without delay.
Key Objectives & Outcomes:
Application Screening & Semi-Finalist Selection: Screen 100% of submitted applications by late January 2027 against eligibility criteria (U.S. citizenship, 3.2+ GPA, financial need, master’s degree plans). Provide secure portal access to 18 selection panelists to score applicants and select precisely 90 semi-finalists by early February 2027.
Virtual Panel Management: Coordinate virtual interview and writing panel sessions, facilitate mandatory BEX-led panelist training, manage candidate briefing sessions, and process per diem-compliant panelist honoraria ($500/day) without administrative delay.
Final Selection & Data Transfer: Compile rank-ordered scores, issue selectee/alternate notifcations
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative (detailing selection process methodology and timeline)
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation (past experience with selection processes)
- Data security and compliance certifications
- Letters of reference or organizational credentials
Program contact
- 👤 Katherine Wright Grantor
- 📧 wrightka@state.gov
- 📞 7712041230
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 19.020 in our database.
This can happen for newer programs, programs that use non-standard award types (loans, direct payments, fellowships), or those funded through sub-agencies under different codes.
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this cooperative agreement?
Organizations with experience managing fellowship selection processes and federal administrative compliance. You must demonstrate capacity for secure data management and federal panelist coordination.
What is the deadline and award amount?
The deadline is November 23, 2026. The award is $85,855 for managing the full selection cycle from January-March 2027.
What activities does the recipient perform?
Screen 100% of applications, maintain secure scoring portals for 18 panelists, coordinate virtual interviews, conduct panelist training, process honoraria, and compile final rankings for approximately 90 semi-finalists.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes, cost sharing is required. Verify the match percentage requirements in the detailed NOFO before applying.
How competitive is this award?
This is a specialized procurement requiring specific expertise in fellowship administration. Your application should emphasize past experience with large-scale merit-based selection processes and federal compliance protocols.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your organization's past experience managing federal selection processes and handling sensitive applicant data securely.
- Detail your capacity to coordinate virtual panels, manage panelists across timezones, and process honoraria under strict federal rules.
- Provide a realistic timeline showing how you will screen 100+ applications and select 90 semi-finalists by early February 2027.
- Highlight your infrastructure for secure electronic portals and compliance with federal data protection standards.
- Address your ability to provide Board of Examiners briefings and conduct standardized, objective evaluation without delay.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Underestimating the compressed timeline: January-March 2027 allows only 2-3 months to screen, interview, and finalize selections. Unclear portal security and data handling procedures can disqualify applications. Failing to address past experience with federal panelists and honoraria compliance is a major red flag.
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