Deadline: 01-Nov-2025
The Council on Foreign Relations has launched its International Affairs Fellowship Program to bridge the gap between the study and making of U.S. foreign policy by creating the next generation of scholar-practitioners.
The program’s focus areas include proposals that will contribute to CFR’s RealEcon Initiative, China Strategy Initiative, technology, and climate initiatives.
This prestigious fellowship connects professionals from academia, the private sector, and the U.S. government with opportunities to work in U.S. government agencies, international organizations, or at CFR’s offices in New York or Washington, DC. Fellows coming out of academia or the private sector typically work within the U.S. government or at international organizations, while those coming from federal government positions or the U.S. military contribute to policy-relevant projects directly at CFR. The program is designed to be a full-time, in-person experience, with the expectation that fellows spend at least three days per week on-site with their host organization.
The IAF program has a distinguished network of more than 650 alumni, including a former secretary of state, undersecretaries of state and defense, ambassadors, and influential leaders in government, academia, and the private sector. For candidates from academia and the private sector, CFR prefers applicants with little to no prior experience in U.S. government or international organizations, while candidates from federal government or military backgrounds are encouraged to contribute to initiatives focusing on the economy, China, technology, and climate. The fellowship is not intended to support pre- or postdoctoral research or the completion of previously started projects, emphasizing instead the transformational nature of the experience.
The fellowship runs for twelve months, beginning in September, with a stipend of $120,000. Fellows are independent contractors and are not eligible for employment benefits, including health insurance. CFR assists eligible candidates from academia or the private sector in identifying suitable placements, though final placement is determined by the host institution. Fellows seeking U.S. government placements may require a security clearance, which can affect start dates. Two or more fellows focusing on national security threats may receive the special designation of International Affairs Fellow in National Security each year.
Selection is highly competitive, with twenty applicants chosen for interviews and eight to ten fellowships awarded annually. Selection criteria include scholarly qualifications, professional experience, demonstrated interest in foreign policy, the feasibility and merit of proposed projects, and the contribution of the fellowship to career development. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, mid-career professionals, and possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with no prior application to another CFR fellowship in the same year.
Interested candidates can apply online between September 15 and November 1, 2025, for the 2025–26 cycle. Applicants will need to submit biographical, educational, and employment information, proposed placements and focus of work, and two letters of support. Award notifications will be made by March 31, 2026.
For more information, visit Council on Foreign Relations.
