The Professional Fellows Program for Europe and Eurasia is a U.S. Department of State exchange run by American Councils for International Education. Mid-level emerging leaders spend 5–6 weeks in the United States, including four weeks in a tailored placement at a nonprofit, business or government office.
Applicants from nine countries join the Governance and Society theme; applicants from Belarus join Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The 2026 round is closed and the next round has not been announced.
Benefits & funding
- International travel, visa and basic U.S. living costs are covered; fellows have no required costs.
- Health and accident insurance, housing (host family, university housing or hotel) and a modest stipend are provided.
- The J-1 visa brings a two-year home-country presence requirement after the program, with limited exceptions.
- Follow-on activities at home, including a reciprocal project, are mandatory.
Eligibility
- Citizen of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Türkiye or Ukraine.
- Must currently live in that country; people living elsewhere or on a long-term program abroad are ineligible. Exceptions: Ukrainian citizens who left Ukraine no earlier than February 2022, and Belarusian citizens who left Belarus no earlier than August 2020, may apply from abroad.
- Aged 25–40 at program start (born 27 May 1985 – 27 May 2001 for the 2026 round).
- Currently employed, with at least two years of relevant professional experience.
- Emerging leader in government, civil society or the private sector who fits their country’s theme.
- Proven written and spoken English.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Eligible nationalities
Armenia · Azerbaijan · Belarus · Estonia · Georgia · Latvia · Lithuania · Moldova · Türkiye · Ukraine
Residence required
Armenia · Azerbaijan · Belarus · Estonia · Georgia · Latvia · Lithuania · Moldova · Türkiye · Ukraine
Experience required
≥ 2 yrs
Age requirement
25–40 yrs
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Apply online in the American Councils AIS Forms portal before the deadline.
- 2Submit an English CV and three essays, one on a follow-on project for your home community.
- 3Secure one professional recommendation.
- 4Shortlisted applicants attend an in-person interview; finalists are chosen with the U.S. Department of State.
- 5Every applicant is told the result by email; review takes up to six weeks.
Program timeline
31 July 2025
Application deadline (2026 round)
Up to six weeks after the deadline
Results by email
Program start used for the age limit
27 May 2026
U.S. fellowship
May–June 2026