The International Affairs Fellowship (IAF), run by the Council on Foreign Relations since 1967, gives mid-career Americans a year on the other side of the line between studying and making US foreign policy.
Academics and private-sector professionals go into the US government or a New York or Washington, DC-based international organization; federal and military officials come to CFR’s New York or Washington office to research and write. It is full-time, on site at least four days a week.
Benefits & funding
- $120,000 stipend for twelve months, plus a modest travel grant.
- Government track: fellows secure their own placement with CFR support; the host decides, and CFR cannot guarantee any office.
- CFR track: research and writing on the proposed topic, plus work on CFR projects.
- Fellows are independent contractors: no employment benefits, including health insurance.
- Two or more fellows a year working on national security threats are named International Affairs Fellow in National Security.
Eligibility
- US citizens only.
- Mid-career professionals with a strong record of achievement and a firm grounding in foreign policy.
- At least a bachelor’s or equivalent; no PhD required.
- No application to another CFR fellowship in the same year.
- Federal and US military staff go on the CFR track; academia, private sector, NGO and state or local applicants on the government track.
- Government-agency placements usually need a security clearance.
- Not funded: pre- or postdoctoral research, degree work, or projects already well advanced.
- Preference, not a bar: no prior CFR fellowship; for academic and private-sector applicants, no significant prior US government or international-organization work.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Eligible nationalities
USA
Education required
Bachelor
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Application process
- 1Apply online between 8 September and 30 October 2026 for the 2027–28 cycle.
- 2Submit two letters of support with your biographical, education and employment details.
- 3Government track: propose placements and a focus of work; CFR track: submit a foreign policy research proposal.
- 4A selection committee interviews finalists; awardees hear by spring 2027.
Program timeline
8 Sep – 30 Oct 2026
applications open (2027–28 cycle)
awardees notified
Spring 2027
twelve-month fellowship begins
September 2027
latest start for fellows awaiting a security clearance
1 January 2028