The U.S. Department of State is looking for an organization to manage the selection process for the 2027 Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program. This involves screening and selecting top graduate candidates for the Foreign Service. The selected organization will form and train panels, score candidates, and handle the final selection of fellows.
Who it's for: This grant is for organizations capable of managing a complex selection process for graduate fellowships. Eligible applicants include certain Native American tribal organizations, for-profit organizations, public and state colleges and universities, and nonprofit organizations, whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status.
More details
Likely Disqualifiers
- Not being one of the eligible organization types
- Inability to manage a multi-phase selection process
- Failure to provide cost sharing/matching funds
- Missing the application deadline
- Inability to coordinate with HR/OFI and BEX for training
What You May Need
- Proof of eligibility as an organization type
- Detailed plan for managing the selection process
- Cost sharing/matching fund details
- Experience in managing similar projects
- Ability to coordinate with government agencies
- Panelist recruitment and management plan
- Training and scoring execution strategy
- Finalist assessment and selection plan
- Onboarding transition strategy
Cautions
- Requires cost sharing/matching funds
- Strict deadlines for panel formation and training
- Must coordinate with multiple government entities
- Complex multi-phase selection process
Generated from official source details for readability
Eligibility
Eligible Applicant Types
Additional Criteria
Eligible applicants include Native American tribal organizations, for-profit organizations, public and state institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status). These entities must be capable of managing a complex selection process for graduate fellowships.
Overview
This grant is for organizations capable of managing a complex selection process for graduate fellowships. Eligible applicants include certain Native American tribal organizations, for-profit organizations, public and state colleges and universities, and nonprofit organizations, whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status.
Likely Disqualifiers
- Not being one of the eligible organization types
- Inability to manage a multi-phase selection process
- Failure to provide cost sharing/matching funds
- Missing the application deadline
- Inability to coordinate with HR/OFI and BEX for training
Use of Funds
Funds can be used to manage the candidate selection process, including forming and training selection panels, scoring candidates, and conducting interviews and assessments. They may also cover panelist honoraria and administrative costs related to the selection process.
Cost Sharing
Required
Important Dates
- Posted
- Oct 27, 2026
- Deadline
- Nov 23, 2026(22 days)
- Archive Date
- Dec 23, 2026
- Est. Award Date (AI estimate)
- Early 2027
Application Checklist
- Verify eligibility as an organization type
- Prepare a detailed selection process management plan
- Outline cost sharing/matching fund contributions
- Develop a panelist recruitment and training strategy
- Plan for scoring execution and finalist selection
- Draft an onboarding transition strategy
- Submit application by November 23, 2026