Professional Fellows Program

The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations has received funding from the U.S. State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to implement the Professional Fellows Program for Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mongolia. This two-way exchange program includes participants who work in the fields of environment, legal aid, community building among marginalized populations, and philanthropy. A limited number of highly qualified participants from other fields may also be included.

The program components and timing are as follows:

The heart of the program for the Asian participants is four-week fellowship placements at organizations in the United States that focus on the same issue(s) as the fellow and his/her home institution. The placements are tailored to fit each individual and the host organization, but include shadowing various staff members, participating in relevant meetings, learning about the host organization’s day-to-day work, and observing the overall activity of the host organization. In addition, all participants are responsible for implementing individual projects in their home cities upon their return; the project must be built upon, or informed by, what s/he learns from the fellowship placement.

Before the U.S.-based fellowship placement begins, the fellows participate in a half-day preparation session in their home jurisdictions, and then travel to the United States for a three-day orientation and introduction to the work of nonprofit organizations in the United States. After completion of the placements, participants attend a two-day program debriefing, followed by participation in a conference arranged by the Department of State for all program participants; in 2017, 45 countries were represented by a total of approximately 550 fellows.

During the course of the program, National Committee staff is in regular contact with participants and host organizations; fellows stay in touch with one another and National Committee staff via online media.

Asian participants meet the following criteria:

• Emerging leaders 25-40 years of age with NGO experience in the fields of environment, philanthropy, legal aid, or community building with marginalized populations. Outstanding applicants from other fields may be considered. Have not had extensive experience in the United States;
• Demonstrate excellence in field of work;
• Demonstrate proficiency in written and oral English that would allow the candidate to operate successfully in an American office environment;
• Independent and self directed, able to complete an independent four-week fellowship;
• Demonstrate genuine commitment to developing and implementing an individual project in his/her home country after conclusion of the fellowship portion of the program.

While preference is given to NGO professionals, a limited number of positions for government officials and academics may also be available.

U.S. host organizations should be willing and able to host for four weeks. This involves assigning the fellow a mentor who can help guide the fellow through his/her experience at the host organization. In return, host organizations will have the opportunity to learn firsthand about current developments in nonprofit organizations in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan or Mongolia within their field. In addition, they will have a unique opportunity to explore or develop sustainable international partnerships with relevant organizations in the two countries.

Americans traveling to Asia spend time working at an organization that sent a staff member to the United States for the fellowship component. They collaborate with the fellows on their individual projects, in addition to learning about the field in the host country/territory.

For additional information, please contact Margot Landman, Senior Director for Education Programs.

email: mlandman@ncuscr.org

phone number: 212-645-4315