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.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a citizen and current resident of one of the nine following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, 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 your 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 and Russia**
- **Citizens of Belarus or Russia residing outside of Belarus are eligible to apply, provided they left Belarus or Russia no earlier than February 2022.
- 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.
Benefits
If you are selected as a finalist, the U.S. Department of State will cover costs associated with your international travel, visa, and basic living costs in the U.S. There are no required costs to Fellows.
Program Elements
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
More Info: Professional Fellows Program for Eurasia
