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.
The grantee will establish a tracking system within 30 days of award to manage 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. The grantee will guide 100% of the cohort through required examination attempts and medical, suitability, and Top Secret security clearance protocols prior to graduation. The grantee will 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.
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"06""Public and State controlled institutions of higher education""12""Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education""22""For profit organizations other than small businesses""20""Private institutions of higher education""13""Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education""CA""Cooperative Agreement""ELT""Employment, Labor and Training""HR""DOS-HR""DOS-HR""Bureau of Human Resources""DOS""DOS""DOS""DOS""Department of State""DOS"{"id":355382,"fileName":"Budget Template FY26 with MTDC Calculation_Final (1).xlsx","mimeType":"application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet","createdDate":"Oct 27, 2026 07:39:52 PM EDT","fileLobSize":90437,"opportunityId":364162,"fileDescription":"Budget Template","synopsisAttFolderId":81480}{"id":355388,"fileName":"2027 NOFO Pickering Admin Duties for GO (1).docx","mimeType":"application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document","createdDate":"Oct 27, 2026 08:02:06 PM EDT","fileLobSize":113116,"opportunityId":364162,"fileDescription":"Pickering Administration NOFO","synopsisAttFolderId":81480}{"id":355377,"fileName":"Pickering 2027 SOW Daily Admin (1).docx","mimeType":"application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document","createdDate":"Oct 27, 2026 05:38:41 PM EDT","fileLobSize":81319,"opportunityId":364162,"fileDescription":"Pickering SOW Administration","synopsisAttFolderId":81480}Most Washington work asks for the two below, and the solicitation documents are where it’s stated. One prequalification covers both — on this bid and the next.
A surety’s written statement that it expects to bond you up to a stated amount, subject to final underwriting. It’s what an agency asks to see before they take your bid seriously.
Source: Grants.gov (opportunity 364162), retrieved via the Grants.gov Search API. View the official posting, and always confirm requirements and deadlines with the issuing agency.