Women all over the world can now apply for the 2014 TechWomen Emerging Leaders Program in California, USA. From the moment the Emerging Leaders arrive, they are immersed in the innovative, constantly evolving culture of Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. TechWomen is an Initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Emerging Leaders work closely with their Professional Mentors to design meaningful projects while exploring the San Francisco Bay Area with their Cultural Mentor and fellow program participants.
TechWomen Emerging Leaders will:
- Challenge themselves with new questions and concepts
- Collaborate with like-minded women in their fields on an innovative project
- Network with influential industry leaders
- Discover their own innovative leadership style
- Create meaningful friendships with women from all over the world
- Explore the diverse communities of the San Francisco Bay Area and Washington, D.C.
- Inspire the next generation of women and girls in their home countries
Worth of Award
The following costs are covered by the TechWomen program:
- Round trip international airfare from participant home country to the United States
- Domestic airfare from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.
- Housing in San Francisco or Mountain View, California during the mentorship
- Meals and incidentals
- Hotel stay in Washington, D.C.
- Ground transportation to the participant’s host company
- Local transportation to group program events in the San Francisco Bay Area and Washington, D.C.
- Participants are responsible for the cost of any non program activities such as independent sightseeing and cultural events, as well as any non program-related domestic or international travel
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be women with a minimum of two years full-time professional experience in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math) and/or a career requiring significant expertise/knowledge/application of technology
- Have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree/four year university degree or equivalent
- Be proficient in written and spoken English
- Demonstrate a willingness to participate in exchange programs, welcome opportunities for mentoring and new partnership development, and exhibit confidence and maturity
- Be citizens or permanent residents of Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, the Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tunisia, Yemen, or Zimbabwe at the time of application, and while participating in the program
- Not have applied for an immigrant visa to the United States, or participated in a visa lottery in the past five years
- Be able to obtain a U.S. visa
- Not hold U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. legal permanent resident
Preference will be given to applicants who
- Have demonstrated themselves as emerging leaders in their chosen professional track
- Have limited or no prior experience in the United States
- Have a record of voluntary or public service in their communities
- Have demonstrated entrepreneurialism and commitment to innovation
How to Apply:
- Use the online application system to apply via the link below
- Finalists will be required to submit recommendation letters. Finalists who are invited to interview at the U.S. Embassy will be required to provide two letters of recommendation. Applicants are encouraged to identify their recommenders ahead of time in order to be prepared in the event that they are selected as finalists. Letters must
- Be from an academic or professional reference, such as a former professor or employer/supervisor
- Be on company/organization letterhead
- Be signed by the recommender
Deadline: Application closes on March 20, 2014
Click here for details and to apply online