What is the Professional Fellows Program?

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 Fellows 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.

What are the PFP themes?  

The Professional Fellows Program is divided between two themes; 1. Governance and Society, and 2. Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine will apply under the Governance and Society theme, and applicants from Belarus will apply under the Innovation and Entrepreneurship theme. All PFP Fellows will engage in collaborative programming such as orientation and closing activities.

Do I need to pay for the program?  What are the costs?  

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.

How are Fellows selected? 

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.

What type of U.S. visa do I need and how will I get it?

Fellows will be required to obtain a J-1 (Exchange Visitor) visa from the consular section at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country in order to be eligible to participate in PFP. American Councils will assist Fellows with the visa application process, but holds no sway over visa granting decisions made by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. All visa fees will be covered through the program as well as travel costs to attend the visa interview. Failure to obtain a J-1 visa will result in termination from the program. Recipients of a J-1 visa are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement after the exchange program, meaning they must return to their home country for at least two years following participation in PFP, although limited exceptions may apply.

Where will I live? 

Fellows will be housed in a variety of U.S. host families, university housing, extended stay hotels, or some combination of these options. At minimum, all Fellows will be provided a home hospitality experience such as dinner with an American family, a cultural excursion, or other relevant activity to encourage cultural exchange.

How will my fellowship placement be assigned?

Fellows will be placed in a non-profit, public, or private sector organization in the United States for the duration of the fellowship placement using information provided in your application, interview, and other materials. Program implementers will do their best to consider your interests and requests for a specific topic or type of fellowship placement. However, please note that preferences are non-binding and the final decision about fellowship placement is based on many factors including availability. Not every type of profession will have an exact match in the United States.

What will I do at my fellowship placement? 

Each Fellow is paired with a U.S. placement host ahead of their arrival to the U.S., who serves as the main point of contact for the Fellow and coordinates their tasks and activities. You will be connected with your U.S. placement host prior to your arrival to the U.S. While at your U.S. fellowship placement, you will likely engage in a wide range of activities which may include shadowing important meetings, conducting research, presenting on relevant topics, participating in office events, joining pre-existing projects, and many other activities. PFP is a Fellow-driven experience. Fellows who are most successful set goals and objectives for the program in advance of their arrival and proactively share them with their U.S. placement host, along with information about their background and experiences at home. This information can help to guide your experience and help you get the most out of your fellowship placement.

I just submitted an application. What happens next?

All applicants should receive an automated confirmation email upon submission of the application. The application review process can take up to six weeks. The PFP team will contact all applicants regarding their status by email, so please keep an eye on your email in the weeks following the application deadline.

What happens after the program? 

Upon completion of the program, Fellows are considered PFP alumni and are eligible for further alumni programming and opportunities through the alumni network. The post-U.S. components are as important to the PFP as the U.S.-based components and participation in follow-on program activities is mandatory. This includes implementation of follow-on Reciprocal Exchange projects to address challenges encountered in Fellows’ home communities. Select Fellows may receive funding to implement their Reciprocal Exchanges or invite a U.S. placement host from their fellowship placement to implement a Reciprocal Exchange Project in the Fellow’s country. Additionally, PFP alumni will be eligible to participate in Regional Alumni Accelerator Workshops.

How is COVID-19 impacting PFP?

The American Councils team is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic, public health concerns, and U.S. travel restrictions to keep Fellows well being as our top concern. If all conditions are favorable, programming will take place in person. In the event that conditions are not favorable, PFP will pivot the in-person, U.S.-based exchange to virtual or hybrid programming.