BecOME A Fellow
RFG Fellowships support outstanding graduate students pursuing master’s degrees in international affairs, public policy, and related disciplines at RFG partner university graduate schools.
Benefits
The fellowship offers support during graduate school and beyond through fellows’ career stages.
Graduate school support
Fellows receive funding to enable full focus on their studies and experiential learning to grow as emerging public service leaders.
Ongoing professional development
Capacity-building workshops, policy seminars, simulations, and mentoring continuously sharpen skills needed for meaningful careers in government service.
Lifelong network connections
Fellows join a vibrant community of RFG alumni and partners across sectors that offer valuable contacts, resources, and opportunities.
How To Apply
Applications are made through RFG’s partner university graduate schools, not directly to RFG.
Partner schools assess and select RFG Fellows based on the foundation’s eligibility requirements
and evaluation criteria, and commitment to the fellowship expectations. Each graduate school has its own
application process and admission requirements for general acceptance. When applying, potential candidates
should indicate in their application that they would like to be considered for the RFG Fellowship.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizenship
- Full-time enrollment in an approved, 2-year, in-person master’s degree program
- Demonstrated focus on pursuing a public service career within government or government-related entities that address international or transborder challenges and policy issues
- Attain functional fluency in a foreign language at any time before graduation, as demonstrated by passing a foreign language aptitude test, transcripts documenting foreign language courses and passing grades, or bilingual fluency at time of application.
Criteria
- Clear public service leadership potential
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills
- Demonstration of emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, open-minded orientation, and collaborative approach
- Presentation of focus and values that underpin principled, globally engaged service focused on the public good
Expectations
- Participate in the annual 2-day RFG Summit held in Washington, D.C. each autumn during the master’s degree program (participation is funded by RFG).
- Engage in RFG activities throughout the period of graduate study as much as feasible.
- Secure full-time government employment (or government-related) for a minimum of three of the seven years following graduation in areas that conform to the foundation’s mission.* Fellows must apply deliberate and consistent best efforts to secure qualifying employment until their public service requirement is fulfilled.
* Qualifying service includes roles with international or transborder dimensions at the federal, state, and municipal government levels, or international
or intergovernmental levels. Secondarily, public service employment may be considered with government-related nonprofit organizations,
policy institutions, or entities such as trade commissions or national or international member associations (e.g., National Governors Association)
when the focus is on issues pertaining to government policies, programs, or practices with cross-border dimensions.
1. Explore partner universities
2. Acceptance at designated graduate schools
3. Apply within graduate program
Questions about the fellowship?
Start with our partner universities or contact RFG via our inquiry form