Fellowships

International Affairs Fellowship in Indonesia

The Program

The International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) in Indonesia, sponsored by Yayasan Persahabatan Indonesia Amerika Serikat (Indonesia-USA Friendship Foundation), seeks to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation between rising generations of leaders and thinkers in Indonesia and the United States. The program is intended for mid-career U.S. professionals who have had little or no prior experience in Indonesia. Selected fellows will have the opportunity to spend three to twelve months conducting research in Indonesia, developing a new professional network, and gaining deeper insights into the opportunities and challenges it faces. Individuals from academia, business, government, journalism, NGOs, and think tanks are all encouraged to apply.

Jakarta Cityscape

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens. 
  • Applicants must be mid-career professionals.
  • Applicants must possess a strong record of professional achievement.
  • Applicants must have a demonstrated commitment to a career in foreign policy and have an interest in U.S.-Indonesia relations. 

Although the program is intended primarily for those without prior experience in Indonesia, applicants with prior experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that the fellowship would add a significant new dimension to their career. Knowledge of Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) or other local languages is not required.

“The CFR fellowship put me in a position to make the best use of my skills and demonstrate what I had to offer while learning how to be an international public servant and awakening my inner diplomat.”
Taylor Winkleman, BioRisk Working Group, United Nations (2020–21 IAF in National Security)

Fellowship Award

The fellowship runs between three and twelve months. The program awards a stipend of $100,000 for a period of twelve months (or a prorated amount if the duration is shorter) as well as a modest travel grant. Fellows are considered independent contractors rather than employees of CFR and are ineligible for employment benefits, including health insurance.

CFR will work with each fellow to find a suitable placement for their fellowship year. CFR cannot guarantee placement at any specific agency or organization.

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“The CFR Fellowship provided me this opportunity that I cannot only share with my students but also can use in the future for research opportunities.”
Jody McBrien, Professor, University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee (2021–22 IAF for Tenured International Relations Scholars)

Selection Process

Selection as an IAF in Indonesia is based on the following criteria:

  • scholarly qualifications 
  • professional experience
  • demonstrated interest in foreign policy
  • merits and feasibility of a project proposal that relates to U.S.-Indonesia relations
  • character and personal qualities conducive to promoting cross-cultural communication and cooperation

The selection process is highly competitive. The selection committee chooses one to two candidates each year as fellows.

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet the program’s eligibility requirements can apply online between July 1 and October 31, 2023, for the 2024–25 application cycle. 

Contact Us

For more information, please contact [email protected]