Apply to be a Governance & Society Professional Fellow
and travel to the U.S. for a month in Fall 2020!
About the Program
The shared vision of Professional Fellows in the Governance and Society cohort is to expand legislative access and civic participation in policy formulation for all members of the community.
“Who is a PFP Governance and Society Fellow?”
Fellows come from a variety of professional backgrounds including but not limited to:
• Public and Government offices - Civil servants who are active in policy formulation, implementation and promotion of civic initiatives, public administration and local governance at both the local and national level
• NGOs – including those working to promote civic engagement and legal access for marginalized populations in effort to provide better access to legal services
Eligibility
To apply, you must be:
- 25-35 years old
- A citizen and current resident of either: Armenia,
- Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Turkey, or Ukraine
- Speak fluent English
- Have at least two years relevant work experience and
- be currently employed
- Have demonstrated leadership and collaborative skills
“How will the program benefit me?”
Each finalist ofthe program will:
• Work in a full-time fellowship placementin a U.S. worksite dealing with issues relating to his or her work at home. Fellows will gain first-hand knowledge about U.S. organizations and institutions and build networks and relationships with U.S. 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 ofthe prestigious PFP Alumni network. Alumni will gain access to tremendous resources and an international network of like-minded professionals spanning the globe.
We are looking for young professionals interested in coming to the U.S. for a one month professional fellowship! Apply online at https://ais.americancouncils.org/pfp.
Applications are open February 1 - March 31, 2020.
Program Dates:
October 13 - November 19, 2020
For more information, visit professionalfellows.americancouncils.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for the program? What are the costs? If you are selected as a finalist, American Councils and the
Department of State will cover all costs associated with your international travel, visa, and basic living costs in the U.S.. There are no required costs to Fellows.
Am I eligible to apply? Please see eligibility requirements on page one of this flier and on the application at https://ais.americancouncils.org/pfp. These are firm requirements and no exceptions will be made.
Regarding work history eligibility, the governance and society theme is very broad and a wide variety of professionals being eligible under this theme. The shared vision of fellows should be to expand legislative access and civic participation in policy formulation for all members of the community. Successful applicants will be able to address how these ideals are present in their work and careers.
Where will I live? Fellows on program will live with volunteer host families identified by American Councils. This is a required part of the program.
Where will I work? American Councils will match Fellows with Placement Hosts in the U.S.. While Fellows may express a preference early in the process for a particular type of site, please note that American Councils has final say over all placements and Fellows may not choose their own placement host. Not every type of office will have an exact match in the
United States, so fellows will need to keep an open mind about learning how U.S. offices work around different issues.
How would I get a U.S. visa? If you are selected for the program American Councils will assist you in applying for a J-1 visa.
All visa fees will be covered through the program as well as travel to the visa interview. However, the granting of a U.S. J-1 visa is a requirement for the program, and if you are rejected for a visa by the Consular section at the embassy you will not be eligible to participate. American Councils can assist fellows in the application process, but holds no sway over visa granting decisions made by the Embassy.
What if I am currently working or studying abroad? Am I eligible? No. All Fellows must be current residents and citizens of the country cohort for which they are applying.
What will I do at my worksite? PFP experiences are often very fellow-driven. This means that the fellows who are most successful often think about their goals and objectives for the program in advance of their arrival and are able to share them with their future worksites along with information about the fellows’ background and experiences at home. While at your U.S. worksite you will likely engage in a wide range of activities, which can include shadowing important meetings, conducting research, presenting on relevant topics, participating in office events, and many other activities.
How are Fellows selected? Fellows are selected through a competitive nationwide search that involves an extensive written application and interviews with American Councils and U.S. Embassy staff.
Where can I learn more about PFP? To learn more go to http://professionalfellows.americancouncils.org or stay updated on social media at www.facebook.com/americancouncilsprofellows/
What is the Professional Fellows Program? The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’, Professional Fellows Division. The Professional Fellows Program brings emerging leaders in the fields of legislative process and governance; civic engagement; from Eurasia to the United States for intensive fellowships designed to broaden their professional expertise. Participants spend approximately one month in the United States, during which they receive hands-on exposure to national legislative offices, state legislatures, local government offices, businesses, and non-profit organizations through carefully designed full-time fellowships.