---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Francois Stepman &lt;fstepman(a)gmail.comDate: Fri, 11 Mar 2022 at 10:29 Subject: [paepard] Professional Fellows Program - Call for Applicants: Applications are due March 21, 2022 To: Platform for African – European Partnership in Agricultural Research for Development Phase II (PAEPARD II) &lt;PAEPARD(a)faraafrica.community&gt;ty>, Platform for African – European Partnership in Agricultural Research for Development Phase II (PAEPARD II) &lt;PAEPARD(a)dgroups.org *United States Department of State Professional Fellows Program—Advancing Young Women Agribusiness Entrepreneurs and Innovators: A Rwanda-South Africa-Zambia-Zimbabwe-U.S. Partnership* The *Advancing Young Women *Professional Fellows Program is sponsored by the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is administered by Michigan State University (US), University of Rwanda (Rwanda), University of Pretoria (South Africa), University of Zambia (Zambia) and Chinhoyi University of Technology (Zimbabwe). The goal of the program is to build Fellows’ capacity and skills in agro-entrepreneurship and agri-food system innovation and advance their ability to support women’s economic empowerment. Rwandan, South African, Zambian and Zimbabwean Fellows will develop their leadership capacity and professional skills through *a fully funded five-week fellowship program in the U.S. * The US program will include a four-week professional internship with Michigan organizations focused on agriculture, innovation, agro-entrepreneurship, and women’s empowerment and additional seminars and trainings with professionals from Michigan State University and throughout the state of Michigan. We are recruiting young Rwandan, South African, Zambian and Zimbabwean professionals from diverse backgrounds in the private, public, non-governmental, and education sectors who are either women agribusiness entrepreneurs or individuals working to increase women’s economic engagement in the agricultural sector. *The initial application for the program will remain open until March 21, 2022*. Interviews for selected finalists will take place in May 2022 Fall 2022 program dates: October 1 - November 5, 2022 Spring 2023 program dates: May 7 - June 9, 2023 *Who Should Apply* · Women entrepreneurs, social innovators, or small and medium business owners or managers and other leaders working in the agriculture and food sectors · Individuals (of any gender) in civil society and NGOs working on programs that support women in the agriculture and food sectors in their respective countries · Policymakers, ministry employees, and others in the public sector (of any gender) focused on supporting and improving opportunities for women in the agriculture or food sector · Academic staff (of any gender) who are implementing programs that advance women in the agriculture and food sectors *Eligibility Requirements * · 25-40 years old · A citizen, national, or permanent resident of Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, or Zimbabwe · Is living and working in Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, or Zimbabwe at the time of the application · Fluent in both spoken and written English · Has at least two years of professional/working experience in their field · Has demonstrated leadership and collaborative skills and a commitment to community development · Has employer’s support for participating in the program (for those not self-employed). For those self-employed, has recommendation from local authorities at the district and/or community levels · Is interested in participating in a reciprocal program for American participants coming to your country · Preference will be given to those who are in an earlier state of their careers · Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously had the opportunity to travel to the US Individuals NOT eligible for the Professional Fellows Program includes · U.S. citizens and/or permanent residents of the United States · Spouses of U.S. citizens and/or permanent residents of the United States · Individuals participating in academic, training or research programs in the United States at the time of application · Individuals residing or working outside their home countries at the time of application · Employees and their families of non-profit organizations who administer the Professional Fellows Program on behalf of the U. S. Department of State. This provision does not disqualify self-supporting members of families who live apart from their parents · Local employees of the U.S. missions abroad who work for the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Agency for International Development are ineligible for grants during the period of their employment and for one year following the termination of employment ·  Immediate families (i.e., spouses and dependent children) of U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development employees for a period of one year following the termination of such employment. This provision does not disqualify self-supporting members of families who live apart from their parents For more information on the program and to apply, click below *Learn more* < https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aD49Pz0bxP20iFJfmf5X-WVBScZELq8UVzpaownCYlw… Application Deadline: March 21, 2022 11:59pm EDT For more information, please contact: *Rwanda* Dr. Alfred Bizoza Associate Professor, Agricultural Economics University of Rwanda *alfredbiz23(a)gmail.com* < https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aD49Pz0bxP20iFJfmf5X-WVBScZELq8UVzpaownCYlw… *South Africa* Prof. Anastacia Mamabolo Associate Professor, Gordon Institute of Business Science University of Pretoria *mamaboloa(a)gibs.co.za* < https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aD49Pz0bxP20iFJfmf5X-WVBScZELq8UVzpaownCYlw… *Zambia* Dr. Thandie Hamaimbo Assistant Dean (Undergraduate Programmes) and Lecturer School of Agricultural Sciences University of Zambia *thandiehamaimbo(a)gmail.com* < https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aD49Pz0bxP20iFJfmf5X-WVBScZELq8UVzpaownCYlw… *Zimbabwe* Dr. Robert Musundire Acting Director of Research and Postgraduate Studies Chinhoyi University of Technology *rmusundire1978(a)gmail.com* *U.S.* Mr. Derek Tobias Program Manager, Alliance for African Partnership Michigan State University *tobiasde(a)msu.edu* [image: PFP Logo Banner.png] Alliance for African Partnership | 202 International Center, 427 N. 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