Professional Fellows Program (PFP)

The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) For Economic Empowerment In The Middle East And North Africa is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by Legacy International with assistance from partners in the United States and with Amideast in Tunisia.

The application for the Spring 2025 Professional Fellows Program is now open!

PFP is designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, and build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders committed to strengthening their communities through social entrepreneurship and workforce development. PFP is a fully funded 6-week program including 1 week of intensive training, a 4-week fellowship at an organization in Washington D.C. or Austin, TX, and a Professional Fellows Congress in Washington, D.C.

Eligibility Requirements

  • 25-40 years of age at time of program
  • A citizen and current resident of Tunisia
  • Fluent in English to work full-time at a U.S. worksite
  • Interested in participating in a reciprocal program for Americans coming to your country
  • Currently employed with at least two years' relevant work experience
  • Able to demonstrate leadership and collaborative skills

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 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

Professional Fellows Congress

Both the Spring and Fall programs will conclude with a 3-day "Professional Fellows Congress" in Washington, D.C. This event will bring together approximately 175 fellows from around the world. Fellows will have the opportunity to build relationships with fellows from more than 65 countries and territories and learn the tools of effective leadership.

Follow-on Project Development

Each fellow will spend time developing an idea for a follow-on project to be implemented upon returning home. Fellows will participate in a number of training sessions to learn project design skills and write a project proposal during their time in the United States.

Outbound Program

U.S. delegates who acted as hosts or mentors during the U.S. immersion segment will be selected to travel to Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, or Tunisia to co-lead training seminars and gain first-hand knowledge of the country and its people. Fellows will assist in planning the U.S. Delegation's visit and hosting them.

Why Should I Apply?

  • Learn effective practices in business management such as developing a business plan, financing and accounting, human resource management, marketing, strategic planning, and networking
  • Practice principles of social entrepreneurship and increase the ability to run effective community outreach and public relations campaigns
  • Learn best practices from American colleagues in workforce development and gain exposure to innovative and practical ideas and tools in increase effectiveness of these programs
  • Increase the ability to think “outside the box” and spark creative, innovative approaches to problems, products, and marketplaces
  • Acquire new strategies to engage effectively with policymakers and government officials