Bureau of Human Resources grants

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 programmatic, financial, and administrative operations—excluding recruitment and candidate selection—for 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 32-month Cooperative Agreement (February 2027 – September 2029) aims to cultivate premier graduate talent for long-term careers as Foreign Service Officers in the U.S. Department of State. Problem Statement: Preparing top-tier foreign policy talent requires rigorous, continuous operational oversight across a complex two-year fellowship footprint. Without dedicated administrative management and strict fiscal oversight, Fellows face operational, financial, and logistical friction that can disrupt graduate study, delay clearance processing, and compromise timely commissioning. A specialized partner is essential to coordinate tuition disbursements, stipend management, summer internships (Capitol Hill and overseas diplomatic posts), housing, emergency medical coverage, and clearance tracking. Key Objectives & Outcomes: Financial & Academic Oversight: Execute a compliant tracking system to ensure 100% on-time disbursements for tuition ($55k/yr cap), living stipends ($33k/yr cap), and summer allowances ($11k/summer cap) under 2 CFR 200 guidelines, ensuring Fellows maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA. Clearance & Onboarding Support: Guide 100% of the cohort through mandatory testing protocols (FSOT/FSOA) and Top Secret security, medical, and suitability clearance milestones prior to graduate program completion. Internships & Mentorship: Manage Capitol Hill domestic internships, National Defense University seminars, overseas embassy placements, and structured Foreign Service mentorship.

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 programmatic, financial, and administrative operations for the 2027 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program. Established in 1992, the Pickering Fellowship attracts outstanding students—particularly those with financial need—for Foreign Service Officer careers. Administered via a Cooperative Agreement, this 32-month project (starting ~January 2027) aims to cultivate premier diplomatic talent, ensuring timely commissioning into generalist tracks pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2719 and 22 U.S.C. 3901 et seq. Problem Statement: Fellows face complex operational, financial, and logistical demands across graduate studies, domestic internships in Washington, D.C., and overseas assignments at U.S. Embassies. Dedicated administrative oversight is essential to execute tuition disbursements, secure housing, navigate security/medical clearances, and eliminate friction that could impede academic success or delay Foreign Service commissioning. Key Objectives & Outcomes: Financial & Academic Oversight: Establish a robust tracking system within 30 days of award to manage 100% on-time disbursements for tuition ($55k/yr cap), living stipends ($33k/yr cap), and summer allowances ($11k/summer cap) under 2 CFR 200 guidelines, ensuring Fellows maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA. Clearance & Onboarding Support: Guide 100% of the cohort through required examination attempts and medical, suitability, and Top Secret security clearance protocols prior to graduation. Internships & Professional Development: Coordinate travel, lodging, and stipends for summer internships; deliver 7–8 professional seminars; facilitate a 2-week session at NDU; and pair all Fellows with tenured Foreign Service mentors.

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 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

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.