PFP competition for fall 2015 is announced
American Councils is pleased to announce the open competition for the Fall 2015 Professional Fellows Program (PFP), a short-term professional development exchange in the United States. The 2015 on-line application for Armenia is open now. Eligible candidates must submit the online application by April 15, 2015 The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. For Armenia, PFP is administered with a legislative focus and administered by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS. PFP affords promising young professionals the opportunity to gain practical experience in, and exposure to, the United States government. These professionals will be part of the larger cohort of fellows from other countries. The knowledge and interest of these young Eurasian professionals in American political processes will be expanded through short-term fellowships in state legislatures and city halls across the United States, as well as on Capitol Hill and in non-profit organizations that address policy issues. PFP goals are to: · strengthen understanding of the U.S. legislative process; · enhance appreciation of the role of civil society plays in shaping public policy and holding government accountable; · create partnerships between institutions in the U.S. and Armenia; and · establish a common language to develop practical solutions for shared problems and concerns. Each PFP fellow will spend a total of five to six weeks in the United States. The program for Fall 2015 is tentatively scheduled for October 5 – November 13, 2015. The PFP program provides round-trip international and domestic transportation, visa fee and processing costs, health and accident insurance, and a modest stipend. Housing and meals will be provided for program participants with U.S. host families. To be eligible for PFP, applicants must: · be a citizen and resident of Armenia; · be 25 to 35 years of age at the time of application; · be a college graduate (equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree or higher); · be proficient in English. If applicants are selected as a semi-finalist American Councils will give them an institutional TOEFL exam, unless they have a valid TOEFL score over 500 (paper test) or over 60 (IBT test) or its equivalent (for example, valid IELTS band 6 or higher); · have relevant experience in and commitment to a career in the public sector and/or nonprofit sector (e.g., legislative, executive, and NGOs that address policy issues); and · have demonstrated leadership and collaborative skills. PFP participants are selected through a competitive application process. More information is available here
