The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is administered by American Councils for International Education.
The 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.
The Professional Fellows Program for Eurasia was launched in 2012, and American Councils has implemented the program since its introduction. PFP aims 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.
Eligibility Requirements
To participate in the Professional Fellows Program, you must be:
· Be between 25 and 40 years old at the start of the program. Anyone who turns 25 on the first day of the Fellowship or anyone who turns 41 during the Fellowship is eligible.
· Be a citizen and current resident of one of the ten following countries: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Türkiye, or Ukraine.
· Be a professional fit for the PFP theme that your country participates in – Governance and Society is the theme for participants from Georgia.
· Be currently employed with at least two years of relevant professional experience at the time of application.
· Be self-directed, forward-thinking, open-minded, and able to work effectively and cooperatively in a cross-cultural and multinational setting.
· Be able to identify an objective or project of their selection that the applicant would like to implement in their home workplace or community.
· Have demonstrated proficiency in both written and spoken English.
· Have demonstrated leadership and collaborative skills.
Program Benefits
Each Governance & Society Fellow will:
· Be matched with a full-time placement at a U.S. organization focused on issues relating to the Fellow’s work in their home country.
· Gain first-hand knowledge about U.S. institutions and build networks with U.S. counterparts.
· Participate in a funded program with comprehensive on-program support. Travel and living arrangements will be covered, and participants receive emergency health benefits on program.
· Become part of the prestigious PFP Alumni network with access to valuable resources and an international network of like-minded professionals
Professional Fellowship
· Fellows will participate in a virtual Pre-Departure Orientation as well as an arrival orientation in Washington, DC
· Fellows will spend four weeks in an individually tailored fellowship experience working in a U.S. placement host organization
· Fellows will participate in a community service opportunity to engage with a U.S. community and participate in civic engagement
· Fellows will develop a follow-on Reciprocal Project proposal to complete a project that meets a specific objective and builds on their participation in the Professional Fellows Program
· Fellows will have a home hospitality experience with an American host family
· The U.S.-based exchange component will conclude with a closing program in Washington, D.C.
Alumni Engagement
Fellows will design follow-on Reciprocal Project proposals to address challenges encountered in their home community
· Fellows will be eligible to invite a U.S. placement host from the fellowship placement to implement a Reciprocal Exchange Project in the Fellow’s home community
· Fellows will be eligible to participate in Regional Alumni Accelerator Workshops when available
Program Timeline:
November 2025: Semi-Finalist Interviews
December 2025: Finalist selection and notifications
Program Dates: In-person fellowship in the U.S. will take place in May – July 2026.
Submitting Your Application
The PFP application can be accessed online in the Application Information System (AIS) Forms portal. To submit your online application, you must press the “Submit” button on the last page. If you do not press the Submit button, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be considered for selection. You will not be allowed to make any changes to your application after you submit it. You will receive a confirmation email once your form has been submitted. All applications must be submitted by the application deadline.
As part of the online application, you must submit or complete the following materials to be considered for the program:
· 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.
· One professional recommendations
· A signed copy of the Participant Terms and Conditions Agreement
· A signed copy of the American Councils Privacy Policy Statement
If you have questions, please contact American Councils for International Education:
E-mail: pfp@americancouncils.org Website: https://www.professionalfellows.americancouncils.org/
The application deadline is August 13, 2025 (closing at 11:00AM Eastern Time).
