October 22, 2026
A New Chapter of American Statecraft
By: Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau
I grew up in the Foreign Service. From the moment of my birth in Spain through subsequent postings in Canada, Paraguay, Chile, and Venezuela, my father’s work as a Foreign Service Officer defined not only his career but the course of my own life. Along the way, I was deeply impressed by the professionalism and patriotism of the Foreign Service and am honored now to work alongside many of its distinguished members.
The Department of State cannot afford to sit around and wait for the next generation of American diplomats to emerge. We must invest now in the talent required to advance American statecraft if our country is to successfully navigate the complex, emerging threats to our national interests.
I am pleased to announce here that the Department is renewing the Pickering, Rangel, and Payne Fellowships as part of that effort: We will recruit nationwide, select for merit, invest in talent, and prepare exceptional Americans to serve their country.
And, if you take this leap into the unknown, we will ensure that you are rewarded for excellence with unparalleled opportunities.
Merit-Based Selection
These fellowships serve an important purpose. They allow the Department to identify promising Americans early in their careers, support rigorous graduate education, provide substantive experience in Washington and overseas, and prepare fellows for the demands of diplomatic service.
Our objective is to build a highly capable cadre of future Foreign Service talent. The opportunity is earned based on merit, our investment is tied to service, and their talent will be in service of the American people.
Nationwide Opportunity
We will search across the country – from our heartland to our territories – for talented students, including those who have never imagined representing the United States overseas. We will cast a wide net while maintaining a high bar.
We will select candidates based on academic achievement, intellectual curiosity and analytical rigor, commitment to public service, and demonstrated potential across the Foreign Service’s 11 competencies. We will ensure successful candidates have the skills, abilities, and qualities essential to succeed in the Foreign Service.
An Education Worthy of the Mission
Fellows will pursue graduate education through Department-approved programs in the Washington, D.C. area where they will study at institutions and with practitioners who shape foreign policy. The State Department will evaluate programs against curriculum standards tied to the workforce needs of American diplomacy.
We are preparing American diplomats to represent America. Using this approach, approved programs will compete to attract fellows, and the institutions will have a strong incentive to offer high-quality preparation and meaningful value. Approved programs must prepare Fellows to understand America, defend its interests, and represent the American people with confidence abroad.
We are backing this commitment with resources. Under the redesigned fellowships, annual support for living expenses rises from $18,000 to $33,000, and annual support for tuition rises from $24,000 to $55,000.
This reflects reality. Over the past two decades, prices have increased and the old awards were not sufficient. Great diplomats should not be lost because education is expensive.
Starting Small, but With Purpose
Starting with focused cohorts will allow the Department to provide more oversight, mentoring, professional development, and accountability while evaluating the redesigned model.
Fellows must demonstrate they are prepared to meet the standards expected of future Foreign Service Officers. The redesigned fellowships will establish clear milestones for entry into the Fellowship program.
To be considered, candidates must successfully pass the Foreign Service Officer Test and the written exercise portion of the Foreign Service Officer Assessment.
The Search Begins
America’s next great diplomats are out there.
Some are already studying international affairs. Others may be studying economics, history, technology, business, or law. Some grew up imagining a career in diplomacy; others have never met a Foreign Service Officer.
They may come from Montana or Manhattan, Appalachia or Arizona, a military family, or a family with no history of public service. What unites them is not where they come from or where they went to school–it should be their ability and their willingness to serve the United States.
We want a Foreign Service capable of meeting a demanding moment in American history. Building that Service requires searching more broadly, investing wisely, and demanding excellence.
Talent. Curiosity. A willingness to serve. If you have those qualities, we want to hear from you.
More information is found here: careers.state.gov.
The U.S. Foreign Service Is Calling. Step Forward.
Christopher Landau was sworn in as the 23rd Deputy Secretary of State on March 25, 2025. Deputy Secretary Landau is a former Ambassador to Mexico who also grew up overseas in a Foreign Service family. In addition to his professional and personal experience in diplomacy, he brings an extensive legal background to his current position.
