Professional Fellow Program 2019/2020 for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Countries

The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) for the Middle East and North Africa is a fully funded 6-week program (including a 4-week fellowship placement) in the U.S. for young professionals committed to empowering their communities through innovation and entrepreneurship, socially responsible businesses, and workforce development. 

Application Deadlines:

• Open to fellows from Morocco & Tunisia. Application deadline: 1st December 2018.
• Open to fellows from Algeria, Egypt, Libya & Lebanon.  Application deadline: CLOSED.  Will open for applicants in Jan 2019.

Eligible Countries: Morocco, Tunisia.

To be taken at (country): USA

About the Award: 

• 38 Fellows are selected from six countries (Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia)
• Fellows will participate in a  6-week program, (Spring and Fall, 2019) each with:
  • A one-week host family stay
  • A one-week business development and social entrepreneurship intensive with University Partner
  • A one-month fellowship placement in individual businesses and/or offices in Washington, D.C.
  • 4- days Participation in the Professional Fellows Congress
  • Design and development of a complete proposal for a follow-on projects to be carried out by PFP fellows, supported by mini-grants

Type: Fellowship

Who Should Apply:

• 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.

Eligibility:

• 25 – 40 years old
• A current citizen and resident of Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, or Lebanon
• Speak fluent to 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
• Able to convene 25 or more colleagues for post-trip briefings, presentations, and project work
• Have demonstrated strong leadership skills and commitment to community
• Demonstrates initiative, teamwork, and openness
• Preference will be given to those who have not previously traveled on a U.S. government funded program.

Number of Awards: 38

Value of Award: Selected fellow 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.

Duration of Programme:

• Spring Delegation (Tunisia & Morocco):  April 20 – June 1, 2019.
• Fall Delegation: (Egypt, Algeria, Libya & Lebanon):  October 12 – November 23,  2019.  

How to Apply: APPLY HERE

Visit Programme Webpage for Details