Overview

The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship offers paid, full-time fellowships lasting six to nine months for recent college and graduate alumni to work on global peace and security issues with over two dozen public-interest organizations in Washington, DC. Fellows collaborate with senior staff to conduct research, write articles and reports, organize events, and assist with public education and advocacy efforts. They have the chance to work on a variety of topics, such as arms control and nonproliferation (nuclear, biological, and chemical), conflict prevention, peacebuilding, atrocity prevention, conventional arms trade, environmental security, defense budgets, diplomacy, and emerging technology threats. Fellows also participate in coalition meetings, congressional hearings, policy briefings, and discussions with policy experts. Many former fellows have pursued advanced degrees in international relations and have gone on to hold significant roles in peace and security in public-interest organizations, the federal government, academia, and media.

Who Can Apply?

• Educational Requirements: Applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree by the start of the fellowship; graduate degree holders are also eligible.
• Academic Excellence: Candidates should have an excellent academic record and a strong interest in peace and security issues.
• Desirable Qualifications:
  • Graduate study, relevant college major, coursework, or significant independent reading in areas related to the fellowship focus.
  • Previous experience in public-interest activism or advocacy is highly desirable.
  • Preference for activities related to peace and security, though not required.
• Eligibility:
  • Open to U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens residing in the U.S. and eligible for employment.
  • Non-U.S. citizens living outside the U.S. are not eligible to apply.
• Preference Criteria: Priority will be given to candidates with limited prior public-interest or government experience in Washington, DC.

Application Procedure

Applications are accepted twice a year for two cohorts:

• Fall Fellowship: Application deadline is January 6, 2025, with start dates between July 15 and October 1.
• Spring Fellowship: Start dates range from January 15 to April 1.

Finalists are invited to Washington, DC, for interviews, with travel and accommodations covered.

What Financial Support is Available?

• Fellows receive a salary of $48,948 ($4,079/month) per month and partial health insurance compensation, plus travel expenses to Washington, DC.
• The program also provides $1,000 per fellow for professional development to attend relevant conferences or meetings that could cover travel, accommodations, and registration fees, or to take a language or policy course. 
• The program arranges meetings for the fellows with policy experts and social networking events with alumni.
• Fellows also receive mentoring from a board member and a former fellow.

Some lenders may permit Scoville Fellows to defer college loan payments during their fellowship. Check with your individual lenders.

Other Details

Required Documents for Application:

Applicants must submit the following items through the online application form here: Scoville Fellowship Application. The first four documents must be uploaded to the online platform. Reference letters and transcripts may be submitted by the applicant or directly by the letter writers and registrar via the provided form. Alternatively, they can be emailed to apply@scovillewp.wpengine.com.

1. Personal Information:

   • Name
   • Telephone number
   • Email address
   • Semester for which you are applying

2. Reference Information:

   • Name, address, email, and phone number of two references.
   • Specify if reference letters will be submitted with your application or separately.

3. Participating Organizations:

   • List 5-6 participating organizations you are interested in working with as a Scoville Fellow. (Check the list of eligible organizations for the upcoming term.)

4. How You Heard About the Fellowship:

   • Specify how you learned about the Scoville Fellowship (e.g., publications, websites, professors, career advisors, web search, etc.)

5. Curriculum Vitae:

   • A two-page CV including education, professional experience, and extracurricular activities.

6. Personal Essay:

   • A personal essay (up to 750 words) discussing your qualifications, interests, career goals, and passion for international peace and security, especially in public education.

7. Policy/Opinion Essay:

   • A 750-word essay answering the question: What is the greatest emerging threat to international peace and security and why? Provide solutions and refer to one or more areas covered by the fellowship. Include a bibliography (optional and not included in the word count). The essay must be titled.

8. Official Transcripts:

   • Official transcripts for all higher education, including undergraduate, graduate, and any foreign study, in a single PDF. If current courses are not listed, submit a separate sheet listing these courses. Transcripts must have the school seal and registrar’s signature. Photocopies of official transcripts are acceptable.

9. Letters of Reference:

   • Two letters of reference addressing your qualifications, interest in international peace and security, communication skills, maturity, and potential to contribute to the field. Letters must be submitted as Word or PDF files, not in the body of an email. Reference letters will not be accepted from board members, staff at participating organizations, or current funders to avoid conflicts of interest.