The Professional Fellows Program

The U.S. Embassy in Moldova is pleased to announce the Professional Fellows Program (PFP): Governance and Society.

Program Description:

Fall 2023/Spring 2024 Professional Fellows Program (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.

Organized by: U.S. Department of State‘s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Administered by: American Councils for International Education

Program theme: Applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine will apply under the Governance and Society theme.

Program Dates:

First Cohort: Fall 2023
Second Cohort: Spring 2024

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.

Program Elements:

Virtual Pre-Departure Orientation as well as an arrival orientation in Washington, D.C.
Four weeks in an individually tailored fellowship experience working in a U.S. placement host organization.
Community service opportunity to engage with a U.S. community and participate in civic engagement.
Follow-on Reciprocal Project proposal to complete a project that meets a specific objective and builds on their participation in the Professional Fellows Program.
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.

Eligibility:

Be 25 to 35 years of age;
Must have citizenship and live permanently in the Republic of Moldova (permanent residents of the Transnistrian region may be considered regardless of citizenship)
Be a university graduate;
Have relevant experience in and commitment to a career in the public sector or an NGO;

Be an emerging leader in government, civil society, or the private sector who has demonstrated expertise pertaining to the Governance and Society theme of the program.
Be currently employed with at least two years of relevant professional experience at the time of application.
Be a professional fit for the PFP Governance and Society topic that Moldova participates in.
Be self-directed and able to work effectively in a cross-cultural setting.
Be able to identify an objective/project of your own selection that you would like to implement in your home workplace or community.
Have demonstrated proficiency in both written and spoken English.
Have demonstrated leadership and collaborative skills.
Be eligible for a U.S. J-1 visa. Program participants must return to and reside in Moldova for two years after completion of their program.

Application Requirements:

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

Apply: https://ais.americancouncils.org/pfp

Application deadline: January 31, 2023.

More information is available at: https://www.professionalfellows.org/