Tenders/2027 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program Selection Grant

2027 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program Selection Grant

Bureau of Human Resources

Published: Oct 27, 2026

Updated: Oct 30, 2026

About This Opportunity

This is a grants contract in the humanitarian aid, education and training and transport and logistics sectors, with a focus on Higher Education, Logistics, Scholarships and Freight. 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

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 operational, logistical, and administrative functions for the candidate selection process of the 2027 Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program. Authorized under 22 U.S.C. 2719 and 22 U.S.C. 3901 et seq., this 3-to-6 month Cooperative Agreement (December 2026 – March 2027) aims to execute a rigorous, standardized, and merit-based evaluation cycle to identify 10 premier Pickering Fellows and qualified alternates dedicated to Foreign Service careers. Problem Statement: Identifying top diplomatic talent requires multi-stage candidate evaluation on a condensed timeline. Without dedicated administrative support, the Department risks operational delays, inconsistent scoring, and logistical bottlenecks. The Recipient must execute screening, maintain secure scoring platforms, manage Washington, D.C. panel interviews, and handle honoraria and travel logistics under strict federal standards to ensure high-caliber candidates are evaluated without delay. Key Objectives & Outcomes: Application Screening & Semi-Finalist Selection: Screen 100% of applications by January 2027 against eligibility criteria (U.S. citizenship, 3.2+ GPA, financial need, master’s program plans). Provide secure portal access to 18 selection panelists to score applicants and select 90 semi-finalists by February 2027. Panel Management & Evaluation: Coordinate D.C. final evaluations (3.5-day interview panel, 2-day essay panel), manage mandatory BEX-led panelist training, and disburse per diem-compliant panelist honoraria ($500/day). Final Selection & Data Transfer: Compile rank-ordered scores, issue selectee/alternate notifications within 2 working days of HR/OFI approval, and transfer complete selection data packages within 2 weeks of completion. Agency: Katherine Wright Grantor CFDA: 19.013 Applicant Types: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education; Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; For profit organizations other than small businesses; Private institutions of higher education; Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than 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 10 days ago. 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.