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 enables mid-career U.S. professionals to spend three to twelve months conducting research in Indonesia, developing a new professional network, and gaining deeper insights into the opportunities and challenges the country faces. Individuals from academia, business, government, journalism, NGOs, and think tanks are all encouraged to apply. Experience working in or writing about Indonesia is not required.

Hear From Past International Affairs Fellows

“We see the folks that really have a huge impact on the conversations that we are having, the questions that we are asking, and the direction that we are headed,” says historian Melissa Jane Taylor about her experience as a Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow. Described as the “Jewel of the Council,” the International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) programs aim to bridge scholarship and practice by giving participants transformative opportunities to work in a new environment they will give them a different perspective at a critical point in their careers. Whether at home in the United States, or abroad in Canada, Europe, Indonesia, and Japan, fellows work in government, international organizations, and think tanks and universities. Join the more than 650 alumni—including Condoleezza Rice and Samantha Power—in shaping the field of foreign policy and the world.

Eligibility

Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
Applicants must be mid-career professionals.
Applicants must have 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.
Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
Applicants must have a U.S. passport, valid through six months after the fellowship end date.

The program does not fund pre- or postdoctoral research, work toward a degree, or the completion of projects on which substantial progress has been made before the fellowship begins. Although the program is intended primarily for those without experience in Indonesia, applicants with 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 $105,000 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 assist fellows in finding a host organization that matches their proposed work in Indonesia. CFR cannot guarantee placement at any specific agency or organization. The fellowship is intended as an in-person experience; fellows should expect to work on-site with their host organization at least three days per week.

“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
a demonstrated interest in U.S.-Indonesia relations
the merits and feasibility of a research project on some aspect of Indonesia’s economy, politics, or society, or on some aspect of U.S.-Indonesia relations
character and personal qualities conducive to promoting cross-cultural communication and cooperation
the contribution the fellowship will make to the applicant’s career development

The selection process is highly competitive. The selection committee awards one to two fellowships each year. Strong preference is given to candidates who have never received a CFR fellowship.

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet the program’s eligibility requirements can apply online between August 15 and October 31, 2024, for the 2025–26 fellowship cycle.