Deadline: May 31, 2024
Are you a leader in disability inclusive civic engagement, eager to broaden your knowledge and global experience? Apply for the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement 2025 to learn from and collaborate with leaders from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, and the US.
The Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement is a professional program funded by the US Department of State for emerging leaders in Africa. It focuses on exchanging and implementing best practices for inclusive civic engagement. Every year, the program typically supports approximately 12 mid-career disability rights professionals (Fellows) from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia to participate in a five-week Fellowship Program in the US.
Program Details
As a Fellow, you will learn effective approaches to enhance your efforts to build and strengthen fully inclusive civic societies for people with disabilities in your country. The core of the program is an individual Fellowship placement with a US host organization.
Prior to the placement, you will select a key policy or practice issue related to disability and civic engagement in your country. This issue becomes the focus for your individual Fellowship placement and informs the Follow-on Project that you will develop and implement within six months of returning home. Please note that your project should be implemented without the need for additional resources or financial support beyond what is available in your current work or volunteer position. The Fellowship will also include weekly seminars, mentorship, and community service.
Benefits
As a Fellow, you will receive funding and support for:
- Round-trip travel between home country and the US
- Fellowship-related travel within the US
- Travel interruption insurance
- Accident and health insurance for the duration of the Fellowship in the US
- Living accommodations in the US
- Living allowance to cover meals, local transportation, and incidental expenses
- Cultural allowance to spend on books and attending cultural events
- Disability-related arrangements, if needed
- An Internet hotspot
Eligibility
Open to candidates from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia. To apply, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Age: Between 25 and 40 as of the first day of the Fellowship Program.
- Citizenship: Citizen and resident of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, or Ethiopia.
- Visa Eligibility: You should be eligible to receive a US J-1 visa.
- Language: Proficiency in spoken and written English
- Work Experience: Minimum of two years of professional work experience.
- Travel: Ability to travel to the US for the five-week program duration.
Application
Applications are due by 11:59 PM East African Time on May 31, 2024 [Ethiopian Calendar: Genbot 23, 2016].
The Fellowship Program is held annually, starting in early to mid-May and ending in early to mid-June. Note that Fellowship start and end dates might change slightly. The program is held in-person in the US. However, if there are COVID-19 or related travel restrictions, it will be conducted virtually.
For more information, visit Professional Fellows Program.
