EDUCATION

Fully Funded Opportunity: Apply for the U.S. Department of State Professional Fellows Program 2025

Applications are now open for the 2025 U.S. Department of State Professional Fellows Program (PFP), an exchange initiative designed to empower young leaders through cross-cultural collaboration, professional development, and community impact.

The program, funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and coordinated by American Councils for International Education, provides emerging changemakers with the chance to sharpen their expertise, expand their networks, and experience life and work in the United States.

Program Overview

The Professional Fellows Program places selected participants in five- to six-week immersive fellowships across the U.S. Fellows are hosted by nonprofit organizations, private companies, or public institutions relevant to their career fields.

During the fellowship, participants will:

Engage in tailored professional placements.
Join community service activities.
Learn about civic engagement practices.
Develop a follow-on project to address challenges in their home communities.

Each fellowship kicks off with orientation sessions (virtual and in-person in Washington, D.C.) and concludes with the Professional Fellows Congress—a global networking event in Washington that brings together fellows from participating countries.

Program Benefits

The fellowship is fully funded, covering:

International travel.
Visa processing.
Basic living expenses in the U.S.

Additional highlights include:

Staying with an American host family for deeper cultural exchange.
Access to alumni benefits, such as reciprocal exchange projects (where U.S. counterparts visit fellows’ home countries) and regional workshops.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be a citizen and resident of one of the eligible countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Serbia, Nigeria, Ghana Türkiye, or Ukraine.
Be between 25 and 35 years old at the start of the fellowship.
Have at least two years of professional experience in government, civil society, or the private sector.
Demonstrate strong English communication skills.
Show proven leadership ability and a commitment to collaboration.
Present a clear, actionable project idea they intend to implement in their community after the program.

Note: Additional conditions apply for citizens of Ukraine and Belarus currently living outside their home countries.

Why You Should Apply

This fellowship goes beyond skill-building—it offers participants the chance to connect with international peers, gain hands-on U.S. experience, and drive meaningful change in their communities. Alumni become part of a global network of over 94,000 professionals making impact in government, business, education, and civil society.