Council on Foreign Relations Fellowships, USA

Publish Date: Mar 30, 2022

The Council on Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program provides mid-and senior-level international relations professionals with unique possibilities. Qualified fellows will expand their understanding of foreign affairs by data research or working in a policy-oriented environment. 

International Affairs Fellowship

The International Affairs Fellowship (IAF), which started in 1967, is CFR's flagship fellowship program. Its goal is to link the gap between academic research and policymaking in the United States by cultivating the future generation of scholar-practitioners. The program offers its fellows a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse themselves in a new environment and get a fresh perspective at a critical juncture in their careers. Academics are assigned to public service and policy-oriented positions, whereas government officials are set to academic positions. A past secretary of state, multiple undersecretaries of state and defense, ambassadors to NATO and the United Nations, and many more significant officials in government, academia, and the private sector make up this who's who of U.S. foreign policy. More than 600 people have graduated from the IAF program.

Eligibility

To be a qualified candidate for the program, applicants must: 

  • Be U.S. citizens. 
  • Have a bachelor's or an equivalent degree. 
  • Be a mid-career professional.
  • Have a solid record of professional achievement and a firm understanding of foreign policy. 

Candidates with no significant job experience in the U.S. government or at an international company are given precedence for positions in government from academics and the private sector. Although successful candidates from academics often hold an advanced degree, a Ph.D. is not necessary for university-based candidates. Pre- or postdoctoral research, study toward a degree or the fulfillment of projects on which significant progress has been documented before the fellowship period are not covered by the program.

Fellowship Award

The fellowship is for twelve months and should begin in September. The compensation for the fellowship is $110,000. Fellows are independent contractors, not CFR employees, and are therefore not eligible for benefits such as health insurance.

CFR will work with each fellow to select an appropriate position for their fellowship year. Yet, all the arrangements are made at the host institution's decision. CFR cannot guarantee an applicant's placement in a specific organization, office, or company.  

Fellows aspiring to spend their fellowship year working for a government agency in the United States will need to receive special permission (security clearance). The process of acquiring a security clearance can take a long time, and the U.S. government is the only one who decides when or if one can be issued. Since obtaining a security clearance takes time, affected fellows must be flexible with their start dates and/or be ready to start their fellowship in a position that does not require special permission. Security clearances are usually not required for positions with academic institutions, international organizations, think tanks, or on Capitol Hill.

Each year, two or more winners whose proposed research focuses on present or potential national security concerns are given the specific designation of International Affairs Fellow in National Security to guarantee that national security remains a priority within the program.

Selection Process

Selection as an IAF is based on the following criteria: 

  • Academic qualifications
  • Experience in a professional setting
  • The advantages and practicality of a project proposal related to a problem of current U.S. foreign policy
  • The program's contribution to the applicant's career 

CFR's Fellowship Affairs Office processes fellowship applications. The procedure of selection is highly competitive. All applications are reviewed by an IAF selection committee, which selects the most promising candidates. The top twenty applications are chosen as finalists and will be interviewed by the IAF selection committee members. The selection committee selects roughly eight to ten finalists as fellows based on the total number of candidates and the results of the interviews.

Candidates who match the program's qualifying conditions can apply online from July 1 to October 31 each year.

For further information please visit (https://on.cfr.org/3KXJImc)

International Affairs Fellowship for Tenured International Relations Scholars

The International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) for Tenured International Relations Scholars provides practical knowledge of global affairs to tenured academics from various scholarly disciplines. Professors whose research and teaching are related to peace and security concerns and who want to spend a year working for a federal government agency, in Congress, or with an international organization are eligible for the fellowship.

By allowing selected fellows to become practitioners, the fellowship helps bridge the gap between research and practice in the field of peace and security, as well as strengthen tenured academics' teaching and scholarship. The program also assists policymakers by exposing them to vital scholarly research of the United States and the world's foreign policy and national security challenges.

Eligibility

To be a qualified candidate for the program, applicants must: 

  • Be citizens of the United States.
  • Be full-time permanent professors at a U.S. college or university with a focus on global relations or U.S. foreign policy in their research and teaching.
  • Have negotiated a compensated sabbatical with their alma mater.
  • Possess a Ph.D. and want to work for a year in the U.S. government or for an international organization on peace and security issues.

Candidates with no significant prior job experience in the U.S. government or an international agency are given strong consideration.

Fellowship Award

The fellowship lasts for a year. Between June and September, chosen fellows start their one-year fellowship. Fellows must work with their home universities to secure a paid sabbatical. The program will match 50% of the fellow's base pay at their university for the academic year (up to a maximum of $80,000 for the year) and provide modest aid for moving fees for those who need to move for the fellowship. Fellows are treated as separate contractors rather than CFR employees and are therefore not eligible for benefits like health insurance. Any indirect expenditures cannot reduce the stipend payout.

Fellows aspiring to spend their fellowship year working for a government agency in the United States will need to receive a security clearance. The process of acquiring special permission can take a long time, and the U.S. government is the only one who decides when or if one can be issued. Because obtaining a security clearance takes time, affected fellows must be flexible with their start dates and/or be willing to start their fellowships in a department that does not necessitate a security clearance. Security clearances are usually not required for positions with academic institutions, global organizations, think tanks, or Capitol Hill.

For further information please visit (https://on.cfr.org/3wlGvZC)

International Affairs Fellowship in International Economics

The Kimberly Querrey-sponsored International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) in International Economics offers business economists and university-based economics scholars hands-on experience in the U.S. government, allowing them to broaden their reasoning and work on international economic policy. The IAF in International Economics aims to improve academics' scholarship, teaching, and research, inform business economists' practice, and present regulators to cutting-edge academic research and scholarly debates. 

Eligibility

To be a qualified candidate for the program, applicants must: 

  • be citizens of the United States
  • be university-based economists or mid-career business economists
  • have exhibited an interest in pursuing a career in global economics or a similar topic
  • have a master's degree in economics or a similar field

Candidates with no significant prior job experience in the U.S. government or at an international agency are given preference.

Fellowship Award

The fellowship period is six to nine months and begins on a mutually agreed-upon date. The program provides a $190,000 stipend along with a small moving expense allowance. Fellows are referred to as independent contractors rather than CFR employees and are therefore not eligible for benefits like health insurance.

Selection Process

Selection as an IAF in International Economics is based on a combination of the following criteria:

  • Academic qualifications
  • Experience in a professional setting
  • The advantages and practicality of a project proposal related to a problem of current U.S. foreign policy
  • The program's contribution to the applicant's career 

CFR's Fellowship Affairs Office processes fellowship applications. The procedure of selection is highly competitive. A selection committee looks through all applications to identify the most potential individuals. The committee picks one applicant to be the fellow based on the complete application.

For further information please visit (https://on.cfr.org/3CYrkXu)

International Affairs Fellowship in India

With funding from Bharti Enterprises, India's International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) aims to improve mutual understanding and cooperation between growing generations of leaders and intellectuals in the United States and India. The program allows mid-career American professionals with little or no prior experience in India to spend three to twelve months studying the issue and working in the country. Fellows come from various backgrounds, including academia, industry, ministry, media, NGOs, and research institutes. While in India, fellows build a new professional network and get new perspectives on the country and the opportunities and problems that the area faces. CFR will use its network of contacts to help selected fellows discover suitable host organizations in India that are a good fit for their proposed activities. CFR's local partners include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Center for Policy Research
  • Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses
  • Institute for Financial Management and Research

Eligibility

To be a qualified candidate for the program, applicants must: 

  • Be citizens of the United States
  • Be professionals in their forties and fifties.
  • Have a solid record of success in the workplace

Exceptions have been approved where a candidate has demonstrated that the fellowship would add a significant new dimension to their career, although the program is primarily for those with little or no prior experience in India.

Fellowship Award

The fellowship might last anywhere from three to twelve months. The program provides a $90,000 stipend for 12 months (or a prorated amount if the period is shorter) and a small travel allowance. Fellows are regarded as separate contractors rather than CFR employees and are therefore not eligible for benefits like health insurance.

For further information please visit (https://on.cfr.org/3N1VPR7)

International Affairs Fellowship in Japan

The International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) in Japan, founded in 1997 and sponsored by Hitachi, Ltd., aims to improve mutual understanding and collaboration between the United States and Japan's rising leaders. The program allows a selected group of mid-career individuals to research while collaborating with competent Japanese institutions and forming long-term personal and professional links due to their activities. Fellows come from academics, business, government, the media, non-governmental organizations, and think tanks. In collaboration with CFR, aids fellows in locating suitable host organizations in Japan. Below is a non-exhaustive list of partnering institutions in Japan. CFR does not guarantee employment with any particular agency or organization.

Eligibility

To be a qualified candidate for the program, applicants must: 

  • Be citizens of the United States
  • Be professionals in their forties and fifties.
  • Having a solid track record of professional success
  • Have an interest in the relationship between the United States and Japan
  • A bachelor's degree is required

Exceptions have been approved where a candidate has demonstrated that the fellowship would add a significant new element to their career, even though the program is primarily for people with little or no prior experience in Japan. The ability to communicate in Japanese is not required.

Fellowship Award

The fellowship might last from three to twelve months. The program provides a $7,700 monthly stipend and a $5,000 travel allowance. Fellows are referred to as independent contractors rather than CFR employees and are therefore not eligible for benefits like health insurance.

Selection Process

Selection as an IAF in Japan is based on a combination of the following criteria:

  • Academic qualifications
  • Experience in a professional setting
  • The advantages and practicality of a project proposal related to US-Japan relations
  • Characteristics and personality traits that facilitate cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation
  • The program's contribution to the applicant's career 

The procedure of selection is highly competitive. All applications are looked through by a selection committee, which selects the most qualified individuals for interviews. The selection committee selects three to five candidates as fellows based on the overall application and the outcomes of the discussions.

For further information please visit (https://on.cfr.org/3D2J0RN)

International Affairs Fellowship in Canada

The International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) in Canada, established in 2016 and funded by Power Corporation of Canada, aims to improve mutual collaboration and trust between rising generations of leaders and intellectuals in the United States and Canada. Each year, one to two mid-career professionals will be hosted by a Canadian institution for six to twelve months to further their country knowledge. Fellows come from academics, business, government, the media, non-governmental organizations, and think tanks.

Eligibility

To be a qualified candidate for the program, applicants must: 

  • Be citizens of the United States
  • Be professionals in their forties and fifties.
  • Have a solid record of success in the workplace
  • Have a demonstrated curiosity in U.S.-Canada relations and a dedication to a career in international relations
  • A bachelor's degree is required

Exceptions have been approved where a candidate has demonstrated that the fellowship would add a significant new dimension to their career, despite the program being particularly for people with little or no prior experience in Canada.

Fellowship Award

The fellowship lasts anything from six to twelve months. The program provides a $95,000 stipend for 12 months (or a prorated amount if the period is shorter) and a small travel allowance. Fellows are referred to as independent contractors rather than CFR employees and are therefore not eligible for benefits like health insurance.

CFR will use its network of contacts to help selected fellows identify host organizations that are a good fit for their proposed work in Canada. CFR does not guarantee employment with any particular agency or organization.

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Similar Opportunities


Disciplines

International Relations

Peace Studies

Security

Opportunity Types

Fellowships

Eligible Countries

United States