The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program is a U.S. Department of State program that attracts and prepares young people for international service careers. The Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center at Howard University, under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of State, administers the Rangel Program in collaboration with the Bureau of Global Talent Management. Announced in 2002 by Secretary of State Colin Powell, Congressman Charles B. Rangel, and Howard University President H. Patrick Swygert, its goals are to promote greater diversity and excellence in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State. Howard University named this program to honor Congressman Rangel for his longstanding and vocal support for showing the world the diversity that is the strength of America, as well as his example of global leadership.

The Rangel Program has progressed rapidly since 2002. It is already making an important contribution to the diversity of the State Department Foreign Service and providing young people with exciting careers of international service. Rangel Fellows and Scholars are currently representing the United States in 60 countries around the world, in areas as diverse as Africa, East Asia, Latin America, South Asia, Europe and Eurasia, and Canada. They are promoting human rights, helping American citizens in trouble overseas, enhancing prosperity and development, deepening ties between the United States and people in different countries, and supporting U.S. global values and interests in many different ways. 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of the Rangel Program, and we are proud of the accomplishments of our fellows and scholars and their contributions to the U.S. Department of State.

The Rangel Program offers graduate fellowships to outstanding seniors and college graduates who want to join the Foreign Service. These fellowships help finance two-year graduate programs, provide two summer internships, mentoring from a Foreign Service Officer, and other professional development activities. The Rangel Program also accepts undergraduate students to participate in the six-week Summer Enrichment Program that prepares global-minded undergraduate students for careers in international affairs. Both programs are competitive and seek applicants with a strong academic background, a commitment to service, and an interest in making a difference in the world around them.

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