2027 Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program – Selection
🏛 Bureau of Human Resources
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 28, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for qualified organizations to manage the candidate screening, panel review, and selection process for the 2027 Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program. Applicants must be able to onboard selection panelists, coordinate training, facilitate electronic scoring, and conduct final assessments for graduate-level fellows. The organization must operate under a Cooperative Agreement structure and demonstrate capacity to execute a rigorous, multi-phase selection process by February 2027.
Geographic scope is national, serving graduate candidates across the country for Foreign Service entry. Activities include panel formation, training coordination, secure scoring, interviews, and administrative transition tasks to HR/OFI.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
Funding Opportunity Description
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Human Resources, Office of Outreach, Fellowships, and Internships (HR/OFI) announces an open competition for a qualified organization to manage the candidate screening, panel review, and selection process for the 2027 Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program under a Cooperative Agreement. This specialized selection project serves as a crucial gateway to identify top-tier, merit-based graduate talent across the nation for entry into the Foreign Service.
Project Goal and Objectives
The project aims to establish a rigorous, objective, and standardized multi-phase selection infrastructure that identifies candidates with the technical expertise and leadership required to advance U.S. foreign policy and international development priorities.
Key objectives include:
Panel Formation & Honoraria Management: Onboard qualified selection panelists (tenured Foreign Service Officers, backstop coordinators, and Senior Foreign Service Nationals) by January 2027 and administer panelist honoraria ($500/day for eligible non-USG panelists).
Panel Training & Scoring Execution: Coordinate mandatory panelist training with HR/OFI and the Board of Examiners (BEX) in December 2026/January 2027, and facilitate secure electronic scoring to determine semi-finalists.
Finalist Assessment & Selection: Execute the final selection stage in February 2027 by conducting structured interviews, administering essay assessments, and calculating composite scores to select up to 10 Payne Fellows and alternates.
Onboarding Transition: Secure acceptance agreements, notify non-selected applicants within two working days, and transfer cohort records to HR/OFI to initiate medical and Top Secret security clearances by late February 2027.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (or applicable federal application form)
- Project Narrative/Technical Proposal
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational Capacity Statement
- Timeline/Project Schedule
- Data Security and Confidentiality Plan
Program contact
- 👤 Katherine Wright Grantor
- 📧 wrightka@state.gov
- 📞 7712041230
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 19.209 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 can apply for this grant?
Qualified organizations that can manage candidate screening, panel review, and selection under a Cooperative Agreement. Applicants must demonstrate capacity for multi-phase assessment and secure data handling.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is November 23, 2026. This is a fixed deadline with no rolling acceptance option.
What activities does this funding support?
Panel formation, training coordination, electronic scoring, final interviews, essay assessments, and administrative onboarding tasks for the Payne Fellowship selection process.
How competitive is this grant?
This is a specialized selection project requiring expertise in graduate talent assessment and Foreign Service recruitment. Strong proposals demonstrate experience with rigorous, standardized selection processes.
What is the funding range?
The award is $85,855. Verify total project budget requirements in the full NOFO.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your organization's experience managing high-stakes selection processes for competitive, merit-based programs.
- Detail your capacity to recruit and onboard qualified panelists (Foreign Service Officers, SFNs) and manage honoraria ($500/day non-USG panelists).
- Provide a realistic timeline that accounts for December 2026/January 2027 training and February 2027 finalist selection deadlines.
- Specify your technical infrastructure for secure electronic scoring and data management for sensitive applicant records.
- Demonstrate prior experience with Federal government cooperation and compliance with security and confidentiality requirements for fellowship programs.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Underestimating logistics required to recruit Foreign Service Officer panelists and coordinate multi-phase training in compressed timeframes. Failing to address data security and confidentiality protocols for sensitive applicant information. Proposing budgets that do not adequately cover panelist recruitment, honoraria, and administrative labor for selection execution.
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