Professional Fellows Program – An Opportunity to Gain Training & Practical Experience

The program is supported by the Department of State, through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Over the course of 6 weeks, MENA fellows from Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia will participate in a week-long Professional Development Training with a University Partner, complete a four-week professional fellowship in Washington D.C., Detroit Michigan or Austin Texas and attend the Professional Fellows Congress. By the close of the program, fellows will have designed and developed a proposal for a community project to be carried out upon return home. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

Additional Program Components

• Professional Fellows Congress: All programs conclude with a 4-day “Professional Fellows Congress” in Washington, DC. This event will bring together approximately 200-250 fellows from around the world. Fellows will have the opportunity to build relationships with peers from dozens of countries and share tools for effective leadership.
• Follow-on Project Development: Each fellow will spend time developing an idea for a follow-on project to be implemented upon returning home. Fellows will participate in a number of training sessions to learn project design skills and write a project proposal during their time in the US.
• Outbound Program: US delegates who acted as hosts or mentors during the US immersion segment will be selected to travel to one of the participating countries. Once there, they will co-lead training seminars and gain first-hand knowledge of the country and its people. Fellows will assist in planning the US Delegation’s visit and hosting them.

Selected Fellows Will Learn

• Effective practices in business management (developing a business plan, financing and accounting, human resource management, marketing, strategic planning, and networking, etc.);
• Principles of social entrepreneurship and increase the ability to run effective community outreach and public relations campaigns;
• Best practices from American colleagues in workforce development, gain exposure to models and innovative and practical ideas and tools in increase effectiveness of these programs;
• Increase the ability to think “outside of the box,” and spark creative, innovative approaches to problems, products, and marketplaces;
• Acquire new skills and strategies to engage effectively with policymakers and government officials;
• Form new or improved strategic partnerships.

Criteria

• This program is designed for people with strong leadership skills who are early- to mid-career professionals and who are committed to making a lasting positive impact in their communities.
  • Entrepreneurs and Social Innovators.
  • Small & medium business Owners and Managers who are investing in innovative socially conscious products and programs.
  • Individuals working in Civil Society/NGOs working on youth workforce training and development, increasing the role of marginalized populations in the economy, building financial literacy, training in technology use and IT development, and other efforts around economic empowerment.
  • Individuals working in university incubators, accelerators, and job-readiness programs, and programs focusing on business development, financial literacy, sustainable tourism, or economic development.
  • Individuals working in Government Agencies/Ministries, national policy offices, think-tanks, and offices working to increase the presence of underrepresented citizens in the economy.
• Fellows must be:
  • 25-40 years old at the start of your program (example – applying for Spring 2025 be in this range by March 2025)
  • A current citizen and resident of: Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, or Tunisia. Must be living in country.
  • Speak fluent English (enough to work full-time in a US fellowship)
  • Have at least two years’ work experience in their field
  • Currently employed
  • Interest in hosting reciprocal program for Americans in your country
  • Have demonstrated strong leadership skills and commitment to community
  • Demonstrates initiative, teamwork, and openness
  • Those who have not previously travelled on a U.S. government funded program are preferred (within last 3 years.)

For more information, visit Legacy International.