Deadline: May 24, 2019.

East African entrepreneurs, MSU, and external partners connect via the U.S. Department of State funded Professional Fellows Program – Advancing Young Women Agribusiness Entrepreneurs and Innovators

The Professional Fellows Program – Advancing Women Agribusiness Entrepreneurs and Innovators hosted at Michigan State University (MSU) connects Ugandan, Tanzanian, and Kenyan agribusiness professionals and entrepreneurs with their counterparts in Michigan for knowledge exchange and capacity building. The program strengthens visiting fellows’ skills in agro-entrepreneurship and agri-food system innovation, and addresses issues of women’s economic empowerment.

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

The Spring 2019 four-week program in the U.S. is scheduled for April 27-June 1, 2019 and the Fall 2019 for October 18-November 23, 2019. Both programs will include:

Part 1: Pre-Departure Orientation prior to travel to the U.S.

Program partners and the U.S. Embassies in the two countries will conduct a pre-departure orientation.

Part 2: Post-Arrival Orientation in East Lansing, Michigan

The orientation will familiarize the program participants with each other as well as the program and topics to be covered and the U.S.

Part 3: Four-Week Program in Michigan Communities

Participants will take part in internships with Michigan institutions and dialogue in seminars and meetings with U.S. leaders in economic development in the food and agriculture sector. Fellows will also select, design, and complete a special project in an area of their own interest. Seminars will combine presentations and discussions to provide an opportunity for Fellows to share experiences from their home countries and organizations and observations from their internship placements. Fellows will also have the opportunity of a one-week homestay with an American family.

Part 4: Three-Day Participation in the Professional Fellows Congress in Washington D.C.

The Congress will allow participants the opportunity to meet and share their experience with Fellows from around the world and participate in dialogue to examine the roles of individual and institutional leadership in economic development and women’s economic empowerment.

 

ELIGIBILITY

• 25-40 years old
• A citizen, national, or permanent resident of Tanzania, Kenya, or Uganda
• Is living and working in Tanzania, Kenya, or Uganda at the time of the application
• Speaks fluent English
• Has at least 2 years of professional/working experience in their field
• Has demonstrated leadership and collaborative skills and a commitment to community
• 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, county, 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
• 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 to impact advancing women in the agriculture and food sectors

 

OFFICIAL LINK

 

Click here to apply