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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.

To be eligible to participate in the Professional Fellows Program you must:

• Be a citizen and resident of one of the nine following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Applicants living outside of the eight 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**, Russia***

    • **Citizens of Belarus residing outside of Belarus are eligible to apply, provided they left Belarus no earlier than February 2022.

    • ***Citizens of Russia residing outside of Russia are eligible to apply, provided they left Russia no earlier than February 2022.

• Be between 25 and 35 years old at the start of the program. Applicants for Fall 2023 must be born on/after September 5th, 1988, and no later than September 5th, 1998. Applicants for Spring 2024 must be born on/after May 7, 1989, and no later than May 7th, 1999. 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 and able to work effectively in a cross-cultural setting.

• Be able to identify an objective/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.

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

The Professional Fellows Program will be administered in two cycles. Applicants may only participate in one of the two program cycles. Applicants must indicate their preferred cycle (Cycle 1 or Cycle 2) in their application. Applications will be open soon, so check back often!

Cohort 1 will take place in Fall 2023

Cohort 2 will take place in Spring 2024

*In response to the ongoing global pandemic, PFP may be offered as a hybrid program with virtual activities leading up to a U.S.-based exchange. Please note: the in-person, U.S.-based exchange is contingent upon favorable travel conditions. In the event there are travel restrictions, or others factors which could adversely impact the health, safety and welfare of program participants, host organizations, and local communities, PFP may postpone or pivot the planned in-person U.S.-based exchange to virtual programming. PFP will follow available national and local public health guidance when making decisions related to PFP activities.

In response to the ongoing global pandemic, PFP will be offered as a hybrid program with virtual activities leading up to a U.S.-based exchange. Please note: the in-person, U.S.-based exchange is contingent upon favorable travel conditions. In the event there are travel restrictions, or other factors which could adversely impact the health, safety, and welfare of program participants, host organizations, and local communities, PFP may postpone or pivot the planned in-person U.S.-based exchange to virtual programming. PFP will follow available national and local public health guidance when making decisions related to PFP activities.