International Affairs Fellowship
The Council on Foreign Relations' International Affairs Fellowship offers mid-career professionals a year to conduct policy-relevant research and gain hands-on experience in U.S. foreign affairs.
Funder: Council on Foreign Relations
Due Dates: October 30, 2026: 2027-28 fellowship cycle application deadline
Funding Amounts: $120,000 stipend for 12 months, plus a modest travel grant
Summary: A year-long fellowship for mid-career U.S. professionals to bridge policy research and practice in U.S. foreign affairs.
Description
The International Affairs Fellowship, established by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), is designed to cultivate the next generation of scholar-practitioners by providing mid-career professionals with a transformative year bridging academic study and practical foreign policy formulation. Fellows gain immersive experience in a new professional environment—either within government agencies, international organizations, or at CFR itself—enabling them to develop fresh perspectives at a pivotal point in their careers. The fellowship emphasizes direct engagement, collaboration, and policy-relevant research, and its alumni network includes prominent leaders in U.S. foreign policy.
