TechWomen Initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau

Published by Bojana

Deadline: 16 January 2019
Open to: women with at minimum, two years full-time professional experience in the STEM and a minimum, a bachelor’s degree /four-year university degree or equivalent who are citizens of one of the eligible countries
Benefits: international travel, housing, meals and incidentals, local transportation and transportation are covered by the TechWomen program

Description

TechWomen empowers, connects and supports the next generation of women leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East by providing them the access and opportunity needed to advance their careers, pursue their dreams, and inspire women and girls in their communities.

Through mentorship and exchange, TechWomen strengthens participants’ professional capacity, increases mutual understanding between key networks of professionals, and expands girls’ interest in STEM careers by exposing them to female role models.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be women with, at minimum, two years full-time professional experience in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. Please note that internships and other unpaid work experience does not count toward the two-year professional experience requirement;
  • Have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree/four-year university degree or equivalent;
  • Be proficient in written and spoken English;
  • Be citizens and permanent residents of Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan or Zimbabwe at the time of application and while participating in the program;
  • Be eligible to obtain a U.S. J-1 exchange visitor visa;
  • Not have applied for an immigrant visa to the United States (other than the Diversity Immigrant Visa, also known as the “visa lottery”) in the past five years;
  • Not hold U.S. citizenship or be a U.S. legal permanent resident.

Preference will be given to applicants who:

  • Demonstrate themselves as emerging leaders in their chosen professional track through their work experience, volunteer experience, community activities and education;
  • Are committed to return to their home countries to share what they have learned and mentor women and girls;
  • Have limited or no prior experience in the United States;
  • Have a proven record of voluntary or public service in their communities;
  • Have a demonstrated track record of entrepreneurialism and commitment to innovation;
  • Demonstrate a willingness to participate in exchange programs, welcome opportunities for mentoring and new partnership development, and exhibit confidence and maturity.

Benefits

International travel, housing, meals and incidentals, local transportation and transportation to official TechWomen events are covered by the TechWomen program. Participants are responsible for the cost of any non-program activities in which they wish to partake, such as independent sightseeing and non-program-related travel. For more information, please see Award Details.

How to apply?

In order to apply, you must signup in the application portal.

For more information please visit the official web page.