Professional Fellows Response Program

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The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Professional Fellows Division, of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open competition for the Professional Fellows Response Program, which will build upon the foundation of the existing Professional Fellows Program (http://exchanges.state.gov/media/pdfs/rfgps/3rfgp-professional-fellows-open-competition-1-31-12-final.pdf) by creating a flexible, complementary exchange program to enable the Department of State to respond more readily to world events and strengthen the capabilities of core elements of civil society and local government structures to respond to challenges that may arise during times of transition, turmoil, or uncertainty. Public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to provide two-way exchanges involving current or potential government and civil society leaders in the areas of focus to be determined in consultation with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs during the course of the grant award period. These exchange programs will include short-term fellowship placements at relevant U.S. organizations that would further the participants‟ professional development. Under the program, approximately 150 to 200 foreign participants will travel to the United States from 2012-2014 in a series of exchanges approximately four weeks in length. Several groups, each ranging from approximately 15 to 25 participants, will represent different countries or regions from around the world, to be determined in consultation with Department stakeholders, and as events dictate. These groups will be followed by reciprocal overseas programs, as conditions permit, for small groups of American participants, totaling approximately 40-80 individuals over the entirety of the program. The American participants, who should have an established connection or linkage with the foreign participants, will spend time in the foreign counterparts‟ offices and communities. The successful applicant will work closely with U.S. Embassies and in-country or regionally-based partner organizations, as appropriate, to recruit, screen, and select the participants.

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