U.S. Treasury International Affairs Junior Fellowship 2027–2029: Paid Two-Year Opportunity for Recent College Graduates in International

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is recruiting candidates for its International Affairs Junior Fellowship 2027–2029, a highly selective, fixed two-year program designed for new college graduates interested in international economic policy, finance, public policy, international relations, and related fields. The fellowship provides an opportunity to work within Treasury’s Office of International Affairs (IA) and contribute to issues that shape U.S. international economic policy. Junior Fellows can gain exposure to international financial and economic developments, policy analysis, government decision-making, and bilateral and multilateral engagement involving major international institutions and forums. Unlike a conventional entry-level position focused on a single function, the Junior Fellowship is structured to provide fellows with exposure to multiple policy issues and opportunities to develop practical analytical, policy, and professional skills. Fellows may contribute to policy proposals, analytical studies, international economic and financial analysis, and preparations for high-level meetings involving organizations and forums such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, G7, and G20. The program is particularly relevant for recent undergraduate graduates who want to build careers in government, international economic policy, public policy, international relations, finance, or related areas. Application deadline: October 31, 2026 About the U.S. Treasury International Affairs Junior Fellowship The International Affairs Junior Fellowship is a highly selective, two-year program within the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of International Affairs. The program is designed specifically for new college graduates and offers fellows the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in the development and implementation of international economic policy for the United States. During the two-year appointment, Junior Fellows can expect to work on a variety of assignments and policy questions rather than being limited to one narrow area of responsibility. This can include examining international economic and financial developments, developing policy proposals, conducting analytical research, and supporting senior Treasury officials in international engagements. The program can therefore serve as a strong early-career pathway for graduates who want to understand how international economic policy is developed within the U.S. government. According to the program description, previous fellows have gone on to pursue diverse career and academic paths, including: • Employment with the U.S. Department of the Treasury • Other positions within the U.S. government • Careers in the private sector • Graduate education • Law • Public policy • International relations • Finance and business This makes the fellowship potentially valuable not only as a two-year professional experience but also as a foundation for longer-term careers in international affairs and economic policy. What Do International Affairs Junior Fellows Do? Junior Fellows are exposed to multiple policy issues and are given opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and professional capabilities through practical work. Their responsibilities typically include several areas of policy and analytical work. 1. Developing Policy Proposals Fellows may contribute to the development of policy proposals relating to international economic and financial issues. This can involve understanding a policy problem, reviewing relevant information and developments, analyzing potential approaches, and contributing to recommendations or proposals for consideration by Treasury officials. For graduates interested in public policy, this provides exposure to how policy ideas are developed in a major U.S. government department. 2. Analyzing International Economic and Financial Developments Another important component of the fellowship is monitoring and analyzing international economic and financial developments. This may require fellows to follow developments affecting international economies and financial systems and assess their implications for U.S. economic policy and international engagement. Such experience can be particularly relevant for individuals interested in: • International economics • Global finance • Macroeconomic policy • Financial policy • International development • Global economic relations • Public policy 3. Conducting Analytical Studies Junior Fellows may also conduct analytical studies as part of their responsibilities. This gives participants an opportunity to apply academic knowledge to real-world policy questions and develop skills in research, analysis, evidence assessment, and policy-oriented writing. 4. Supporting Bilateral and Multilateral Meetings Fellows can support bilateral and multilateral meetings involving senior Treasury officials. The program specifically highlights engagements involving major international institutions and forums, including: • International Monetary Fund (IMF) • World Bank • G7 • G20 Junior Fellows often participate in these meetings and may have opportunities to travel abroad. This component can provide valuable exposure to international economic diplomacy and the practical processes involved in high-level government engagement. Where Are Junior Fellows Placed? Junior Fellows are placed in either a regional office or a functional office within Treasury's Office of International Affairs. The two types of offices provide exposure to different aspects of international economic policy. Regional Offices Regional offices oversee Treasury's engagement with counterpart finance ministries and treasuries around the world. Working in a regional office can therefore provide exposure to U.S. economic relationships with specific countries or regions and the policy issues associated with those relationships. Depending on their assignment, fellows may gain experience understanding: • International economic relationships • Government-to-government engagement • Economic policy developments in other countries • Regional economic issues • Engagement with foreign finance ministries and treasuries • Bilateral policy discussions Functional Offices Functional offices focus on engagement with international financial institutions and broader Treasury policy issues. The program identifies areas including: • International financial institutions • International trade • Export credits • Foreign exchange Functional assignments can therefore provide fellows with exposure to policy questions that extend across individual countries or regions. A Unique Opportunity to Work in International Economic Policy For graduates interested in international affairs, the fellowship provides an opportunity to move beyond classroom learning and gain practical experience in U.S. international economic policy. The program sits at the intersection of several disciplines, including: • Economics • Finance • International relations • Public policy • International economic policy • Government • Global financial affairs This multidisciplinary nature means that candidates do not necessarily need to pursue a narrowly defined career path within economics. Applicants with relevant academic preparation and interests in related policy fields may also be well positioned for the program. International Exposure and Potential Travel One of the distinctive aspects of the Junior Fellowship is the opportunity to engage with international issues and, potentially, international meetings. The program states that Junior Fellows may participate in meetings involving international institutions and major multilateral forums and may have opportunities to travel abroad. However, international travel should not be understood as an automatic component of every fellow's experience. The opportunity will depend on the fellow's office, duties, assignments, and program requirements. The international exposure can nevertheless be particularly valuable for graduates seeking careers in: • International organizations • Government • Diplomacy • International development • Global finance • Economic policy • International relations Who Should Consider Applying? The program is particularly suited to recent college graduates who are interested in understanding and contributing to international economic policy. Strong candidates may have academic backgrounds or relevant coursework in: • Economics • Public policy • Finance • International relations • Related fields The Treasury specifically notes that strong candidates will have recently received, or will soon receive, a bachelor's degree with relevant coursework in these areas. The program also states that, because of its structure, preference is given to undergraduates. International Affairs Junior Fellowship Eligibility and Qualifications The formal qualifications are particularly important for applicants to understand before preparing an application. Candidates should meet the following key requirements. Bachelor's Degree Candidates should have recently received, or be close to receiving, a bachelor's degree. Relevant coursework may include: • Economics • Public policy • Finance • International relations • Related disciplines Preference for Undergraduates The program explicitly states that preference is given to undergraduates because of the structure of the Junior Fellowship. This means candidates should carefully consider how their educational stage aligns with the program before applying. Relevant Experience Applicants must also demonstrate 52 weeks, or 2,080 hours, of relevant paid or unpaid experience. Importantly, this experience does not have to come exclusively from conventional employment. The application instructions specifically allow relevant experience to include: • Paid employment • Unpaid work • Volunteer experience • Extracurricular activities • Work-study experience • Other professional or extracurricular activities relevant to the duties described by the program This makes it important for applicants to review their entire background rather than considering only formal full-time jobs. How to Document the Required 52 Weeks of Experience One of the most important aspects of the application is demonstrating the required 52 weeks (2,080 hours) of relevant experience. Applicants are instructed to provide sufficient detail in their resumes to demonstrate this experience. The resume should explain the duties performed in each relevant professional or extracurricular activity. Candidates should include: • The position or activity • The organization or setting • The period during which the activity took place • The number of hours per week • The duties performed • How the duties relate to the fellowship For example, the application guidance gives the format of specifying dates and weekly hours, such as: June 1, 2025 to August 31, 2025, 30 hours per week Applicants should therefore avoid simply listing an organization and job title without describing what they actually did. The purpose is to make it possible for reviewers to determine whether the applicant has the relevant experience required by the program. Resume Requirements The Treasury provides specific instructions regarding the resume. Maximum Length: Two Pages The resume should not exceed two pages. This is particularly important because candidates need to demonstrate the required 52 weeks of experience while remaining within the two-page limit. Applicants should therefore prioritize: • Relevant responsibilities • Analytical experience • Policy-related activities • Research • International affairs exposure • Economics or finance-related experience • Public policy experience • Government or nonprofit experience • Relevant volunteer activities • Relevant extracurricular activities Rather than merely listing responsi

• Recent college graduate