Professional Fellows Program

The National Committee is very pleased to be working in partnership with the China Global Philanthropy Institute in Beijing and the Zorig Foundation in Ulaanbaatar to administer a two-way exchange for emerging leaders in China and Mongolia and the United States in the fields of environment, philanthropy, legal aid, and community building among marginalized populations. The program, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is a capacity-building project for professionals in the non-governmental sector in both countries.

The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) comprises four rounds: 10 Chinese and Mongolian fellows traveled to the United States in April-June 2017 and seven Americans traveled to China or Mongolia in August 2017. Similar numbers will travel in October-November 2017 (Chinese and Mongolians to the United States) and in spring 2018 (Americans to China or Mongolia). All Asian participants will take part in pre-departure and post-arrival orientation programs, a four-week fellowship at a relevant host organization in the United States, a two-day wrap-up and evaluation session, and a Professional Fellows Congress in Washington, D.C., for fellows from more than 40 countries around the world participating in similar programs. After returning to their home countries, fellows will develop and implement a project based on and informed by their fellowship experiences.

American participants will spend two weeks in China or Mongolia visiting their counterparts and collaborating with them on their projects.

2017 PROGRAM (Spring 2017—Spring 2018)

Spring 2018 Outbound Program Schedule:

  • April 4: departure for Beijing for China-bound participants
  • April 6: Orientation in Beijing
  • April 7: Travel to host sites around China
  • April 8-14: With host organizations
  • April 15: Return to Beijing
  • April 16: Wrap-up
  • April: Return to U.S.
  • April 6 departure for Ulaanbaatar for Mongolia-bound participants
  • April 8: Orientation in Ulaanbaatar (UB)
  • April 9-17: With host organizations
  • April 18: Wrap-up
  • April 19: Return to U.S.

 

2018 PROGRAM (Spring 2018—Spring 2019)

Spring 2018 Inbound Program Schedule:

  • April 23: Pre-departure orientation - Ulaanbaatar (for Mongolian fellows)
  • April 24: Pre-departure orientations - Beijing, Hong Kong, Taipei (for Chinese fellows)
  • April 25: Travel to the United States 
  • April 25-27: Post-arrival orientation, Washington, D.C.
  • April 28: Travel to host city
  • April 30-May 25: Fellowship placement
  • May 27: Travel to Washington, D.C.
  • May 28-29 Program wrap-up
  • May 30-June 1: Professional Fellows Congress
  • June 2: Travel to China/Hong Kong/Mongolia/Taipei

                                               

This is a program of the U.S. Department of State, administered by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.

Partner(s): 
China Global Philanthropy Institute
Zorig Foundation
Funder(s): 
U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Category: 
Governance & Civil Society
Cultural Exchange
Next Generation Leaders
Tags: 
Community Building
Environment
Legal Aid
NGO
Philanthropy
Last Held:
Oct 9, 2017 to Nov 17, 2017
Next Held:
Oct 9, 2018 to Nov 17, 2018

Video

Year Two (Fall 2015—Spring 2017)

Year One (Fall 2014-Spring 2016)

Program History

2018 Professional Fellows

October 9, 2018 to November 17, 2018

Applications due April 30, 2018.

Applicant Criteria:

  • Emerging leaders from the NGO sector 25-40 years of age who work in the fields of environment, philanthropy, legal aid, or community building. Outstanding applicants from other fields will also be considered. A limited number of slots for academics or government officials may be available
  • Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral English (able to live and work independently in the United States)
  • Genuine commitment to developing and implementing an independent project in home country after the conclusion of the fellowship portion of the program
  • Demonstrated professional excellence
  • Independent and self-directed, able to complete an independent 5-6 week fellowship
  • Limited previous experience in the United States (less than three months)

The National Committee on United States-China Relations will work with participants to obtain visas and make all travel and lodging arrangements. Lodging during the fellowship period may be in homestays, dormitories or shared apartments. All costs for participation in the program will be covered.  

Fall 2018 Inbound Program Schedule

October 9: Pre-departure orientations – Beijing, Hong Kong, Taipei
October 10: Travel to the United States
October 10-12: Post-Arrival Orientation, Washington, D.C.
October 13: Travel to host city
October 15-November 9: Fellowship placement
November 11: Travel to Washington, D.C.
November 12-13: Program wrap-up
November 14-16: Professional Fellows Congress
November 17: Travel to China/Hong Kong/Taipei

To apply, users must first create an NCUSCR account and be logged in.

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