Overview
Mid-career professionals with at least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent).
A PhD is not required, though many successful applicants from academia hold advanced degrees.
Description
Mid-career professionals with at least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent).
A PhD is not required, though many successful applicants from academia hold advanced degrees.
Not intended for pre-doctoral or postdoctoral research.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
Be U.S. citizens.
Be mid-career professionals with significant professional achievements.
Hold at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Demonstrate a strong grounding in foreign policy.
Propose a project that contributes to U.S. foreign policy or CFR’s policy initiatives (such as the RealEcon Initiative, China Strategy Initiative, technology, and climate).
Not apply for another CFR fellowship program in the same year.
Preference is given to applicants with little or no prior work experience in the U.S. government (for academia/private sector applicants) or those contributing to CFR’s initiatives (for government/military applicants).
Additional Information
Degree Level
Mid-career professionals with at least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent).
A PhD is not required, though many successful applicants from academia hold advanced degrees.
Not intended for pre-doctoral or postdoctoral research.
Available Subjects
The fellowship focuses on foreign policy, diplomacy, international relations, national security, economics, technology, climate policy, and governance.
Benefits
Duration: 12 months (full-time, starting September 2026).
Stipend: $120,000 (independent contractor basis; no employment benefits provided).
Placement: Fellows from academia or the private sector are placed in the U.S. government or international organizations; fellows from the U.S. government or military work at CFR’s offices in New York or Washington, DC.
Special Designation: Two or more fellows each year are recognized as International Affairs Fellows in National Security, sponsored by Janine and J. Tomilson Hill.
Eligible Nationalities
Only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
Be U.S. citizens.
Be mid-career professionals with significant professional achievements.
Hold at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Demonstrate a strong grounding in foreign policy.
Propose a project that contributes to U.S. foreign policy or CFR’s policy initiatives (such as the RealEcon Initiative, China Strategy Initiative, technology, and climate).
Not apply for another CFR fellowship program in the same year.
Preference is given to applicants with little or no prior work experience in the U.S. government (for academia/private sector applicants) or those contributing to CFR’s initiatives (for government/military applicants).
Application Procedure
Application Period: September 15, 2025 – October 31, 2025.
Notification: Interviews in February 2026; awardees announced by March 31, 2026.
Documents Required: Biographical, educational, and employment information. Proposed placement and project focus (for academia/private sector applicants). Proposal to contribute to CFR’s work (for government/military applicants). Two letters of recommendation.
Biographical, educational, and employment information.
Proposed placement and project focus (for academia/private sector applicants).
Proposal to contribute to CFR’s work (for government/military applicants).
Two letters of recommendation.
Mode: Online application via CFR’s fellowship portal.
Selection Process
Highly competitive; only 8–10 fellows are awarded each year.
Criteria include: Scholarly/professional excellence. Demonstrated interest in U.S. foreign policy. Feasibility and merit of proposed work. Potential contribution to the applicant’s career development.
Scholarly/professional excellence.
Demonstrated interest in U.S. foreign policy.
Feasibility and merit of proposed work.
Potential contribution to the applicant’s career development.
20 candidates are shortlisted for interviews annually.
Final Thoughts
The CFR International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) 2026–2027 offers an unparalleled opportunity for U.S. mid-career professionals to shape their careers in foreign policy and international affairs. With placements across the U.S. government, international organizations, and CFR itself, this fellowship provides unique exposure to policymaking at the highest levels. If you want to transform your career trajectory and contribute meaningfully to U.S. foreign policy, the IAF is the fellowship to pursue.
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
What degree do I need to apply for the International Affairs Fellowship? You must hold at least a bachelor’s degree. A PhD is not required but may strengthen academic applications.
Can I apply if I am not a U.S. citizen? No, the IAF is open only to U.S. citizens.
What is the fellowship stipend, and does it include benefits? The fellowship provides a $120,000 stipend for 12 months. Fellows are considered independent contractors and are not eligible for employment benefits.
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Funding
Partial Funding
Organization
USA Universities
Degree
Masters, PhD, Fellowship, Bachelor
Subjects
International Relations, Economics, Climate Change, Governance, Foreign Policy, International Relations and Diplomacy
Nationality
Domestic Students
Country
USA
Source
Information provided by scholarships_ads.