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/