How To Apply

The application for the Clarke DS Fellowship 2027 is now open!

The final deadline to submit your application is Nov. 30, 2026, at 11:59 pm (EST). Any applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered. Please take note of your local time zone.

Early Review Deadline: November 19, 2026, at 11:59 pm (EST).

Take advantage of getting an early review of your application to ensure all documents are correctly submitted. This gives you time to resubmit documents if needed.

Final Deadline: November 30, 2026, at 11:59 pm (EST).

Any applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered.

Before you apply:

How to apply:

  • Click the Apply Now button below to access the The Washington Center’s program application portal login page. If you have not yet registered, click “Create an Account.” In the program application portal, click the Apply Now tab and select William D. Clarke, Sr. Diplomatic Security Fellowship.
<p>APPLY NOW</p>

Clarke DS Fellowship Timeline

Below is a general timeline for the 2027 cohort of the Clarke DS Fellowship program.

  • October 13 to November 30, 2026 (11:59 pm ET): Applications Accepted
  • December 2026: Notifications of finalist selections are sent via email
  • December 2026: Finalists participate remotely in the interview and selection process
  • January – March 2027: Selected Clarke DS Fellows and alternates take baseline Physical Readiness Test
  • June 2027: Orientation for selected Clarke DS Fellows 2027 cohort
  • June – August 2027: Domestic Internship (10 weeks), Professional Development Series
  • September 2027: Clarke DS Fellowship program begins for the 2027 cohort, as you enter the junior year of your undergrad OR the first year of your graduate program
  • May 2028: Finish your spring semester
  • May – August 2028: Overseas internship (10 weeks)
  • September 2028: Fall semester begins (final year of your undergrad or graduate program)
  • May 2029: Final opportunity to pass the Foreign Service Specialist Assessment (FSSA) before graduation
  • May 2029: Pass the Physical Readiness Test (PRT)
  • May 2029: Graduate with your bachelor’s degree or your master’s degree

Application Documents

Your application must include:

U.S. passport, birth certificate or naturalization papers

An unofficial copy for any universities/colleges you attended for more than two semesters

Explain why you want to pursue a career in the Foreign Service (750 words max.):

Maximum two-page resume that highlights your leadership skills (read this article for tips)

If you received financial aid during the most recent academic year, you are required to submit a Financial Aid Letter listing grants or loans.

  • If you received financial aid during the 2026-27 academic year, you will submit the FAFSA Submission Summary generated from the 2026-27 FAFSA Form.
  • If you did not receive financial aid during the most recent academic year, you must complete the 2027-28 FAFSA Form to generate a FAFSA Submission Summary.
  • If you’ve been out of college, you should complete the 2027-28 FAFSA Form, whether or not you are seeking financial aid for the current academic year. This is because you need the FAFSA Submission Summary to complete the financial section of the Clarke DS Fellowship application.

Use this as an opportunity to address any financial hardship or impactful adversity you may have experienced that affects your overall financial standing. You may also include:

  • Assistance you received during your undergraduate studies
  • Your overall education-related debt
  • Your ability/plans to pay for graduate school

Select recommenders who can explain why you are uniquely qualified for the fellowship.

  • If you were enrolled in a degree-granting program within the last two years, the letter must be from a professor or faculty member who knows you.
  • If you have been in an online program, you may select an individual who is familiar with your academics, professional work, or volunteer/community activities.
  • If you are returning to graduate school after a couple of years, choose someone who is familiar with your academics, professional work, or volunteer/community activities.