Deadline for Fall/Spring 2023–2024 Professional Fellows Program (PFP): January 31st, 2023.
The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and 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 its 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
- 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.
Program Dates
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 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 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.
Eligibility Requirements
To participate in the Professional Fellows Program, you must be:
- Be a citizen and resident of one of the eight 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, Türkiye, Ukraine
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship – Belarus*, Russia
- *Citizens of Belarus residing outside of Belarus are eligible to apply, provided they left Belarus no earlier than August 2020.
- Be between 25 and 35 years old at the start of the program, applicants must be born on/after September 25, 1987 and no later than September 25, 1997. 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.
Commitment to Diversity
The Professional Fellows Program is open to all applicants regardless of their race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Application Instructions
Starting Your Application
The PFP application can be accessed online in the Application Information System (AIS) Forms portal – https://ais.americancouncils.org/pfp. This portal is where you will complete and submit your application and it will allow you to directly upload supplemental materials and request recommendations. Instructions on how to use the form, save your changes, and submit your application are provided within the application. It is not necessary to complete your application in one sitting. You will be able to save your work and log out from the portal. You can then log in at any time thereafter until the application deadline.
Program Cycle
You will also be asked to indicate which of the two program cycles you would like to participate in. Dates of each cycle will be provided in the application.
Submitting Your Application
To submit your online application, you must press the “Submit” button on the last page. If you do not press the Submit button, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be considered for selection. You will not be allowed to make any changes to your application after you submit it. You will receive a confirmation email once your form has been submitted. All applications must be submitted by the application deadline.
Application Requirements
As part of the online application, you must submit or complete the following materials to be considered for the program:
- Confirmation of eligibility
- Education history
- Comprehensive work experience
- Your resume or CV in English
- Three essay questions to address your motivations for applying, how your participation will impact your community, and how you intend to use your experience to support a follow-on project in your 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
If you have questions, please contact American Councils for International Education in Georgia:
Telephone: (995 32) 229-21-06
E-mail: Georgia-PFP@americancouncils.org
Website: https://georgia.americancouncils.org/pfp-en