Call for U.S. Department of State Professional Fellows Program 2025 is open now!!!
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.
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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.
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American Councils for International Education is a premier, international nonprofit creating educational opportunities that prepare individuals and institutions to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.
Through academic exchanges, overseas language immersion, and educational development programs, American Councils designs and administers innovative programs that broaden individual perspectives, increase knowledge, and deepen understanding. For over 40 years, American Councils has responded to the needs of the communities where we work with hundreds of robust, international education programs that span over 80 countries, 40 languages, and are represented by over 94,000 alumni worldwide, including government leaders, top international educators, business innovators, public officials, and K-16 students.
Location:
United StatesBenefits
- If the applicant is selected as a finalist, the U.S. Department of State will cover costs associated with their international travel, visa, and basic living costs in the U.S. There are no required costs to Fellows.
- Professional Fellowship
- Fellows will participate in a virtual Pre-Departure Orientation as well as an arrival orientation in Washington, DC
- Fellows will spend four weeks in an individually tailored fellowship experience working in a U.S. placement host organization
- Fellows will participate in a community service opportunity to engage with a U.S. community and participate in civic engagement
- 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
- Fellows will have a home hospitality experience with an American host family
- 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
- 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
- Fellows will be eligible to participate in Regional Alumni Accelerator Workshops when available
Eligibilities
- 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.
- 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.
- Be currently employed with at least two years of relevant professional experience at the time of application.
- Be a professional fit for the PFP theme that the applicant’s country participates in
- Governance and Society – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine*
- *Citizens of Ukraine residing outside of Ukraine are eligible to apply, provided they left Ukraine no earlier than February 2022.
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship – Belarus**
- **Citizens of Belarus residing outside of Belarus are eligible to apply, provided they left Belarus no earlier than August 2020.
- Governance and Society – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine*
- 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.
- Be self-directed, forward-thinking, open-minded, and able to work effectively and cooperatively in a cross-cultural and multinational setting.
- 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.
- Have demonstrated proficiency in both written and spoken English.
- Have demonstrated leadership and collaborative skills.
Application Process
- Fellows are selected through a competitive nationwide search that involves a merit-based selection process.
- This includes an extensive written application and in-person interview.
- The selection of finalists is determined in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State.
- Starting The Application
- The PFP application can be accessed online in the Application Information System (AIS) Forms portal.
- This portal is where the applicant will complete and submit their application and it will allow them to directly upload supplemental materials and request recommendations.
- Instructions on how to use the form, save changes, and submit the application are provided within the application.
- It is not necessary to complete the application in one sitting. The applicant will be able to save their work and log out from the portal. They can then log in at any time thereafter until the application deadline.
- Program Cycle
- The applicant will also be asked to indicate which of the two program cycles they would like to participate in.
- Dates of each cycle will be provided in the application.
- Submitting The Application
- To submit the online application,the applicant must press the “Submit” button on the last page.
- If they do not press the Submit button, the application will be considered incomplete and will not be considered for selection.
- The applicant will not be allowed to make any changes to the application after they submit it.
- The applicant will receive a confirmation email once the form has been submitted.
- All applications must be submitted by the application deadline.
- As part of the online application, the applicant must submit or complete the following materials to be considered for the program:
- Confirmation of eligibility
- Education history
- Comprehensive work experience
- The applicant’s resume or CV in English
- Three essay questions to address the applicants’ motivations for applying, how their participation will impact their community, and how they intend to use their experience to support a follow-on project in their home community. Exact prompts will be provided in the application.
- Two professional recommendations
- A signed copy of the Participant Terms and Conditions Agreement
- A signed copy of the American Councils Privacy Policy Statement
