Deadline: 16 February 2024
Apply for the Advancing Young Women Professional Fellows Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is administered by Michigan State University (US), University of Rwanda (Rwanda), University of Pretoria (South Africa), University of Zambia (Zambia) and Chinhoyi University of Technology (Zimbabwe).
The goal of the program is to build Fellows’ capacity and skills in agro-entrepreneurship and agri-food system innovation and advance their ability to support women’s economic empowerment. Rwandan, South African, Zambian and Zimbabwean Fellows will develop their leadership capacity and professional skills through a fully funded five-week fellowship program in the U.S.
The U.S. program will include a four-week professional internship with Michigan organizations focused on agriculture, innovation, agro-entrepreneurship, and women’s empowerment coupled with additional seminars and training with professionals from Michigan State University and throughout the state of Michigan.
Who Should Apply?
- Women entrepreneurs, social innovators, or small and medium business owners or managers and other leaders working in the agriculture and food sectors
- Individuals (of any gender) in civil society and NGOs working on programs that support women in the agriculture and food sectors in their respective countries
- Policymakers, ministry employees, and others in the public sector (of any gender) focused on supporting and improving opportunities for women in the agriculture or food sector
- Academic staff (of any gender) who are implementing programs that advance women in the agriculture and food sectors
Eligibility Requirements
- 25-40 years old
- A citizen, national, or permanent resident of Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, or Zimbabwe
- Is living and working in Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, or Zimbabwe at the time of the application
- Fluent in both spoken and written English
- Has at least two years of professional/working experience in their field
- Has demonstrated leadership and collaborative skills and a commitment to community development
- Has employer’s support for participating in the program (for those not self-employed). For those self-employed, has recommendation from local authorities at the district and/or community levels
- Is interested in participating in a reciprocal program for American participants coming to your country
- Preference will be given to those who are in an earlier state of their careers
- Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously had the opportunity to travel to the U.S.
- Finalists must be fully vaccinated in accordance with current CDC guidelines, in order to travel to the United States.
For more information, visit Michigan State University.
