The Pamela Harriman Foreign Service Fellowships provide funding for students interning over the summer in the U.S. Embassies in London or Paris, or the Secretary of State’s Office in Washington, D.C. In addition, William & Mary students placed in other world capitals will also be eligible to apply and a fourth fellow may be selected from that pool.

William & Mary established the Pamela Harriman Foreign Service Fellowships in 2000 to inspire the best of a new generation to pursue careers in public service. The four fellowship posts pay tribute to chapters of the Ambassador's life: 

The U.S. Embassy in London, in the country of her birth;

The U.S. Embassy in Paris, where she served as Ambassador to France;

The Office of the Secretary of State in Washington D.C., in the country she served with great distinction.

The Harriman World Fellowship is offered to a William & Mary student. Ambassador Harriman was involved with William & Mary in a number of ways. Some examples include being a member of the William & Mary Board of Visitors, 1986-1990, and benefactor of the Pamela Harriman Professorship of Government and Public Policy.

The Harriman Fellowship Program is nationally competitive and highly selective, offering a $5,000 stipend for travel and living expenses.  Fellowships are open to eligible juniors and seniors throughout the United States.

Ambassador Harriman set a standard that the Harriman Fellowships now challenge young Americans to meet. Former Ambassador and Speaker of the House Thomas Foley said of her:  "She made a great contribution to public life by her example, energy and devotion, and her belief in the honor of work for one's country."

The Fellowships are open to students who:

• Are chosen by the Department of State for internships in the U.S. Embassy in London or Paris, or select offices in Washington, DC
• Are a William & Mary student chosen by the Department of State for an internship in any world capital
• Are U.S. Citizens
• Are enrolled as sophomores continuing on to their junior year, juniors continuing on to their senior year, or seniors continuing on directly to graduate studies 
• Show evidence of substantial scholarly research and/or creative projects
• Show evidence of leadership, public service, and commitment to community
• Demonstrate an excellent academic record.
• Obtain an institutional endorsement from candidate's college/university.
• Obtain strong, detailed letters of recommendation: two total, at least one of which are from faculty who have taught the student.

The names of State Department interns who have authorized the Department to provide their information to other organizations will be forwarded to the Pamela Harriman Fellowship Board for consideration.

The Harriman Fellowship Board will then invite eligible candidates to apply for the Fellowship and provide application instructions.

• sophomore
• junior
• senior

• US Citizen

Students must first apply for a summer internship with the State Department. Upon submission, the Department of State makes an evaluation on the basis of the application, statement of interest, transcripts, foreign language ability when applicable, and completed academic studies relevant to the type of work each applicant hopes to perform. In order to be eligible for the Pamela Harriman Foreign Service Fellowship, you must be selected for an internship in the U.S. Embassy in London, Paris or select offices in Washington, DC, or be a W&M student with an internship at another international embassy.

The Department of State forwards the list of qualifying candidates to William & Mary. W&M collaborates with the Harriman Fellowship Advisory Committee to review the pool of candidates. Approximately nine finalists are interviewed by the selection committee in Washington, DC, and notified of the committee's decision within twenty-four hours.  Once security clearances are in place, the Harriman Fellows then commence their eleven weeks of service.

Upon completion of their service, Fellows are required to present a summary report to the Harriman Fellowship Advisory Committee in Washington, DC. To promote a deeper understanding of international relations, Fellows are encouraged to deliver a report to their college about their service experiences. 

Specific internship application information and forms can be found at the Department of State website.

For more information please contact:

Pamela Harriman Foreign Service Fellowships
harriman@wm.edu