Tenders/2027 Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program – Selection

2027 Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program – Selection

Bureau of Human Resources

Published: Oct 27, 2026

Updated: Oct 28, 2026

About This Opportunity

This is a grants contract in the humanitarian aid, education and training and rural development sectors, with a focus on Higher Education, Cooperatives and Scholarships. Located in United States, North America, this opportunity is open to firms and consortiums.

Published through Grants.gov, a national government procurement portal. Public procurement tenders follow the country's national bidding regulations and may have specific eligibility and documentation requirements for grants in the humanitarian aid sector. Grant applications generally require a detailed project proposal, a clear results framework, and evidence of the applicant's capacity to deliver the proposed activities. Interested parties should review the full documentation on the original source before submitting their proposal.

Description

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. Agency: Katherine Wright Grantor CFDA: 19.209 Applicant Types: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; For profit organizations other than small businesses; Public and State controlled institutions of higher education; Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Private institutions of higher education Cost Sharing: Yes Contact: Katherine Wright Grantor Email: wrightka@state.gov

Data provenance

This notice is sourced from Grants.gov and was originally published on October 27, 2026. Last refreshed today. BidsFactory mirrors official procurement notices and links back to the source for full legal text.

About Bureau of Human Resources

Bureau of Human Resources has issued 16 procurement notices on BidsFactory, including 6 currently open and 9 awarded contracts. Activity concentrates in Governance & Public Administration, Education & Training, and Humanitarian & Emergency Response. All notices are published for United States. Notices are distributed via Cook County IL and Grants.gov. Most recent publication: October 27, 2026.

Frequently asked questions about this tender

Where will the contract be performed?

The contract is for delivery in United States. Foreign bidders should review local registration, taxation, and any in-country presence requirements before submitting.

How can I submit a bid?

Visit Grants.gov to access the full notice, required documents, and submission instructions provided by the contracting authority.

Who is the contracting authority?

This notice was issued by Bureau of Human Resources in United States. The authority is responsible for evaluating bids, awarding the contract, and managing performance.

What type of contract is this?

This is a Grants contract in the Humanitarian & Emergency Response sector. The classification helps bidders match the opportunity to their qualifications and registered scope of supply.