Deadline: 15-Sep-2025
Gaylord College is partnering with the U.S. Department of State and in-country partners to host a six-week U.S. program for international mid-career professionals. The initiative includes a fellowship placement at an American business or organization and is part of the “South and Central Asia (SCA) Professional Fellows Program on Economic Empowerment,” scheduled for May to June 2026.
The program, funded by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, will engage rising leaders from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the U.S. Participants will be placed in small or startup businesses, government offices, NGOs, business education initiatives, or training hubs in Oklahoma. They will also be affiliated with the University of Oklahoma.
This fellowship aims to provide professional training and experience that strengthens participants’ leadership capabilities and prepares them for impactful roles in their home countries. Additionally, selected U.S.-based stakeholders will travel to South Asia from December 2026 to March 2027 to collaborate with international fellows.
Fellows will spend around four weeks with host organizations in Oklahoma. The program starts with a week of academic and practical sessions at the University of Oklahoma, covering entrepreneurship, budgeting, business planning, leadership, communication, ethics, and the relationship between business and government.
The final segment of the fellowship takes place in Washington, D.C., where fellows will visit their respective embassies, participate in cultural activities, and meet with business stakeholders before returning home.
Participants will gain firsthand experience in U.S. businesses, explore different organizational models, and receive training through lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities. The program will strengthen leadership skills and expose fellows to business support networks, cultural life in Oklahoma, and a broader community of professionals and mentors.
Each fellow will receive weekly feedback from University of Oklahoma faculty and access to ongoing networking opportunities with alumni, professionals, and program partners. The experience is designed to encourage sustainable and empowering business practices in their home countries.
Eligible applicants must be mid-career leaders aged 25 to 40 from government, civil society, or the private sector in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka. They should have experience in economic empowerment or small business development, fluency in English, and be computer-literate.
The selection process prioritizes candidates who are self-driven, adaptable, collaborative, innovative, and actively pursuing a community or workplace project. Selected individuals must travel alone, commit to full participation, and fulfill the J-1 visa requirement of returning to their home country for two years post-program.
Interested individuals must complete an online application form in English, including all answers and supporting documents, to be considered for the program.
For more information, visit The University of Oklahoma’s.
