Applications are now open for the 2025 edition of the U.S. Department of State’s Professional Fellows Program (PFP). This exchange initiative is funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and coordinated by American Councils for International Education. It serves as a platform to strengthen cross-cultural understanding, build professional expertise, and cultivate lasting partnerships between promising mid-career leaders from participating countries and their U.S. counterparts.
The program focuses on immersive, five-to-six-week placements across the United States, where participants engage in tailored professional development experiences. Fellows are hosted by nonprofit organizations, private enterprises, and public institutions that align with their areas of expertise. Alongside their placements, participants take part in community service projects, explore civic engagement practices, and design a follow-on initiative aimed at addressing specific challenges back home. Each fellowship begins with an orientation—both virtual and in-person in Washington, D.C.—and concludes with a multi-day Professional Fellows Congress in the U.S. capital, bringing together participants from around the globe.
American Councils for International Education, a leading nonprofit with over four decades of experience in academic exchange and global education programs, manages the PFP for Europe and Eurasia. Their work spans more than 80 countries and 40 languages, connecting a network of over 94,000 alumni that includes leaders in government, business, education, and civil society. Through innovative exchanges and development programs, they aim to prepare individuals and institutions for success in an interconnected world.
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Those selected for the fellowship will have all essential expenses covered, including international travel, visa processing, and basic living costs while in the United States. In addition to their professional placements, fellows will have the opportunity to stay with an American host family, further deepening their cultural immersion. Alumni of the program gain access to additional opportunities such as reciprocal exchange projects, in which a U.S. counterpart may visit and collaborate in their home country, as well as regional workshops to support ongoing professional growth.
Eligible applicants must be citizens and residents of one of the designated participating countries—Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Serbia, Türkiye, or Ukraine—and be between the ages of 25 and 35 at the start of the fellowship. They should be working professionals in government, civil society, or the private sector with at least two years of relevant experience, possess strong English communication skills, and demonstrate proven leadership and collaboration abilities. Candidates are expected to present a clear, actionable idea for a project they intend to implement in their community after the exchange. Additional criteria apply for citizens of Ukraine and Belarus currently residing outside their home countries due to recent events.
This program offers a unique opportunity for emerging leaders to expand their networks, sharpen their skills, and contribute meaningfully to their fields while experiencing life and work in the United States.
