Deadline:
As soon as possible
Location(s)
United States of America
Overview
The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is administered by American Councils for International Education.
The Professional Fellows Program for Europe and Eurasia is a two-way, global exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, as well as build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders from foreign countries and the United States. PFP participants are placed in intensive 5-6 week fellowships in non-profit organizations, private sector businesses, and government offices across the United States for an individually tailored professional development experience.
Details
Overview
The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is administered by American Councils for International Education.
The PFP for Europe and Eurasia is a two-way, global exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, as well as build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders from foreign countries and the United States. PFP participants are placed in intensive 5-6 week fellowships in non-profit organizations, private sector businesses, and government offices across the United States for an individually tailored professional development experience.
The Professional Fellows Program for Eurasia was launched in 2012, and American Councils has implemented the program since it’s introduction. PFP aims to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, as well as build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders from foreign countries and the United States.
Program Elements
Professional Fellowship
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Fellows will participate in a virtual Pre-Departure Orientation as well as an arrival orientation in Washington, DC
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Fellows will spend four weeks in an individually tailored fellowship experience working in a U.S. placement host organization
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Fellows will participate in a community service opportunity to engage with a U.S. community and participate in civic engagement
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Fellows will develop a follow-on Reciprocal Project proposal to complete a project that meets a specific objective and builds on their participation in the Professional Fellows Program
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Fellows will have a home hospitality experience with an American host family
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The U.S.-based exchange component will conclude with a capstone three-day Professional Fellows Congress in Washington, D.C.
Alumni Engagement
Fellows will design follow-on Reciprocal Project proposals to address challenges encountered in their home community
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Fellows will be eligible to invite a U.S. placement host from the fellowship placement to implement a Reciprocal Exchange Project in the Fellow’s home community
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Fellows will be eligible to participate in Regional Alumni Accelerator Workshops when available
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
To be eligible to participate in the Professional Fellows Program you must:
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Be a citizen and current resident of one of the nine following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Serbia, Türkiye, or Ukraine. Applicants living outside of the nine eligible countries or on a long-term program will not be considered eligible to apply.
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Be an emerging leader in government, civil society, or the private sector who has demonstrated expertise pertaining to the respective theme under which they are applying.
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Be currently employed with at least two years of relevant professional experience at the time of application.
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Be a professional fit for the PFP theme that your country participates in
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Governance and Society - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine*
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*Citizens of Ukraine residing outside of Ukraine are eligible to apply, provided they left Ukraine no earlier than February 2022.
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Innovation and Entrepreneurship - Belarus**
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**Citizens of Belarus residing outside of Belarus are eligible to apply, provided they left Belarus no earlier than August 2020.
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Be between 25 and 35 years old at the start of the program. Anyone who turns 25 on the first day of the Fellowship or anyone who turns 36 during the course of the Fellowship is eligible.
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Be self-directed, forward-thinking, open-minded, and able to work effectively and cooperatively in a cross-cultural and multinational setting.
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Be able to identify an objective or project of their own selection that the applicant would like to implement in their home workplace or community.
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Have demonstrated proficiency in both written and spoken English.
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Have demonstrated leadership and collaborative skills.
Dates
Deadline: As soon as possible
Cost/funding for participants
Each finalist of the program will:
- Work in a full-time fellowship placement in a US worksite dealing with issues relating to his or her work at home. While there fellows will gain first-hand knowledge about US organizations and institutions and build networks and relationships with US counterparts.
- Participate in a fully-funded program with comprehensive on program support. Travel and living arrangements will be covered as well as emergency health insurance, and visa fees on program.
- Become part of the prestigious PFP network. Alumni will gain access to tremendous resources and an international network of like-minded professionals spanning the globe.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
