The mission of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is to serve as a resource for its members, government officials, business executives, journalists, educators, and students, policymakers, and citizens to better understand the world and the foreign policy choices facing the United States and other countries. In pursuing this mission, CFR seeks to foster a deeper understanding of international affairs and the impact of these affairs on American life.
The International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) by CFR aims to bridge the gap between the study and making of U.S. foreign policy by supporting the next generation of scholar-practitioners. This hallmark program provides fellows with the opportunity to experience new environments and gain different perspectives at pivotal moments in their careers, ideally enhancing their roles in public service, policy-oriented settings, or academia. Specifically targeting early to mid-career professionals with a commitment to foreign policy, the IAF Program encourages applicants from diverse professional and academic backgrounds. The fellowship offers a dynamic exchange by placing academics in public service and government officials in scholarly settings. Not requiring a PhD for university-based applicants, it typically favors candidates with an advanced degree and a strong foreign policy background. The program, running for twelve months and starting preferably in September, does not guarantee a specific placement and emphasizes the importance of security clearances for certain positions. Furthermore, there’s a special focus on national security, with two fellows each year receiving a designation that highlights their work on national security threats.