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Apply Now for Spring 2020 Tech Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fellowship

Deadline: 30 November 2019

Applications are now open for spring 2020 Tech Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fellowship, a chance to travel to the US and gain experience in and exposure to Chicago’s technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

In Spring 2020, the Professional Fellows program in Tech Innovation and Entrepreneurship will bring a new group of 18 tech and innovation leaders from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia and Montenegro, for a four-week immersive fellowship experience in Chicago sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Fellows will also participate in group training seminars, action planning workshops, and site visits focused on strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem. At the end of the program, fellows participate in the U.S. Department of State Professional Fellows Congress in Washington, D.C. which brings together over 250 fellows from multiple regions and different thematic areas (legislative, economic empowerment, and the rule of law) for three days of networking and meetings to complement the fellowship.

Benefits

As a Fellow, Applicants will:

  • Have the opportunity to work with organizations across Chicago, including tech companies, government agencies, innovative NGOs, and university and non-university technology incubators;
  • Will gain insight into best practices in tech innovation, entrepreneurship, and education, and observe how an effective urban innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem operates;
  • Will also contribute to host organizations in a variety of ways, ranging from small projects, meetings with colleagues in the field, job shadowing, and independent research;
  • Program encourage Applicants to bring their expertise and diverse perspective to US organizations!.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Be young leaders, ages 25-40, currently employed and with at least two years of professional experience in a related field at the time of application;
  • Have a track record of making an impact in their community, organization or company;
  • Be proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application;
  • Is a citizen, national, or permanent resident of their home country;
  • Is living and working in his/her home country at the time of application;
  • Submits a complete application, with all required documents, by the application deadline;
  • Is able to begin the Professional Fellows Program in the United States in 2020;
  • Is able to receive a U.S J-1 visa;
  • Is committed to returning to his/her home country after completion of the program;
  • Note: Selected program participants are not able to bring spouses or family members to the United States for the program. Priority will be given to applicants who do not have significant educational and/or work experience in the United States.

Selection Criteria

Recruitment and selection of candidates targets English-fluent emerging leaders (age 25-40) from innovation and entrepreneurship communities working in the private, public, and NGO sectors. Criteria for each sector:

  • Private sector
    • Recruitment will focus on entrepreneurial leaders from small or startup business ventures in tech fields that have a demonstrated track record of civic engagement and/or social entrepreneurship.
  • Public sector
    • Recruitment in the public sector will focus on public officials whose work centers on creation of incubation hubs, promoting job growth in tech fields, and/or the promotion of sustainable and inclusive economic development.
  • NGO sector
    • Recruitment from the NGO community will focus on emerging NGO leaders working on creation of jobs in tech fields and community-based and education training programs in tech fields for students, women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized populations.

How to Apply

Applications must be submited in English or in applicant’s native language at the address given on the website.

Eligible Countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Montenegro.

For more information, please visit https://me.usembassy.gov/call-for-applications-central-european-tech-innovation-entrepreneurship-fellowship-program/