Eisenhower Fellowships seeks to identify emerging women leaders in fields important to the development of their countries and who would benefit significantly from an intense seven-week professional and leadership exposure in the United States. In recommending and nominating candidates, the following criteria should be used:

• Five to ten years of demonstrated exemplary leadership, as well as an expectation of at least 15-20 years of higher level leadership contributions, thus a preferred age range of 35-42 and an acceptable age range of 32-45.
  
  

• Fluency in English sufficient to conduct lengthy, in-depth discussions with professional counterparts and others in the broader U.S. society.
  
  

• Demonstrated impact in the individual’s professional field, as evidenced by rapid advancement and significant accomplishment within the person’s institutional and national context.
  
  

• Active leadership in broader professional/community activities, demonstrating a concern for improving society beyond one’s own basic job focus.
  
  

• Integrity, energy, and motivation to make a difference, as evidenced in the individual’s statement of purpose, overall conduct, and testimony of distinguished countrymen.
  
  

• Breadth of perspective and enthusiasm for continued learning, reflected in the range of expressed interests and activities that extend beyond the specific professional specialty.
  
  

• Likelihood of actively contributing to the Eisenhower network, based on a prior networking record of dialogue and work with others for common purposes.
  
  

• Ability to design and articulate appropriate fellowship program objectives, reflecting thoughtful analysis and including achievable goals and objectives specifically linked to professional broadening and leadership development.
  
  

• Demonstrated potential for advanced leadership and societal impact through influence on key policies or in important operational areas, as evidenced by the individual’s prior career progression and personal attributes.
  
  

• Capacity of fellowship to “add value” and significantly enhance leadership strength and impact, based on comparatively limited recent exposure to the U.S.

Identifying Candidates

Each Nominating Committee decides on the methods it will use to identify potential candidates. In some countries, the fellowship opportunity is advertised in leading journals and newspapers, although in such cases it must be described carefully to ensure an appropriate and manageable level of response; advertising costs in such cases would need to be borne by the committee. The advantage of advertising is to “widen the net” and avoid appearances of exclusivity; a disadvantage could be in the administrative effort required to process an excessive number of applications. IMPORTANT NOTE: spouses of alumni Eisenhower Fellows who accompanied them on their fellowships are not eligible to apply for the Women’s Leadership Program. Furthermore, in general EF discourages applications from spouses of alumni Fellows even if they did not accompany them on their fellowships.

Application and Interviewing

Candidates must complete, in English, in either hardcopy or electronic form, the application form made available by EF to the Nominating Committees. After reviewing applications, the committee decides which individuals qualify for an interview, and subsequently which will be submitted to EF for consideration.

Submission of applications to Eisenhower Fellowships in Philadelphia

Applications for the WLP are due to EF no later than December 4, 2009. They can be sent via email to Dr. Mark Carnesi, Senior Director for International Programs and/or Ms. Rachel Meadows, Program Associate at either mcarnesi@eisenhowerfellowships.org or rmeadows@eisenhowerfellowships.org. The Selection Committee in Philadelphia will make its final decisions and communicate back to the Nominating Committee within 6 weeks of receipt of all required materials. In rare cases, the Selection Committee may decide to conduct telephone interviews of candidates. Also, in all cases EF Philadelphia will communicate the outcome to the Nominating Committee chair and/or coordinator before contacting candidates directly.

It is important to stress that Nominating Committees submit candidates but final selection is made by the Selection Committee in Philadelphia. EF Philadelphia must ensure the Women’s Leadership Program consists of a diverse and balanced group by geography and profession in order to fulfill our mission to promote dialogue where it otherwise might not take place. In addition, the Selection Committee looks closely at each applicant’s statement of objectives and program design to ensure there is relevance to their professional background and future plans; that EF can provide a high quality “value added” program to the individual; and that they will remain active in the EF network. Finally, please note the selection process for the three at-large seats will be extremely competitive, so there is no guarantee that by submitting nominations to EF your candidate(s) will ultimately be selected to be Fellows.

Eisenhower Fellowships’ Women’s Leadership Program (WLP) is a professional and leadership development program available to women who have demonstrated potential for advanced leadership and positive impact in their respective professional fields. It is intended to create opportunities for women globally and increase the participation of women throughout the EF network. This initiative will infuse the EF global alumni network with a significant influx of talented and energetic new alumnae. They will join several hundred distinguished women who have participated in the unique EF experience since the organization’s inception over 50 years ago.

The WLP will commence with Fellows arriving in Philadelphia from September 30 – October 3, 2010. All Fellows will participate in an Opening Seminar from October 6 – 8. They will then travel around the U.S. for five weeks of individually planned meetings and events, group activities and conferences, and a mid-program retreat at the Grand Canyon. Fellows will return to Philadelphia on November 14 for the Closing Seminar and will depart the United States on November 19, 2010. Attendance at the Opening Seminar, mid-program retreat at the Grand Canyon, and Closing Seminar is required of all Fellows.

To ensure a demonstrated level of leadership experience plus numerous years of subsequent contribution to society, the preferred age for an Eisenhower Fellow is between 35 and 42 years with 32-45 acceptable. Fellows must be fluent in English and be able to articulate and communicate ideas effectively not only in their professional fields but also with a wide range of Americans. NOTE: spouses of alumni Eisenhower Fellows who accompanied them on their fellowships are not eligible to apply for the WLP. Furthermore, in general, EF discourages applications from spouses of alumni Fellows even if they did not accompany them on their fellowships.

As with every EF program, the primary selection criterion for the WLP is demonstrated excellence. EF seeks a rich and diverse mix of professionals emblematic of women’s accomplishments across sectors. In its final selection process, EF will favor candidates from business, government and the not-for-profit sector. Candidates from academic institutions are expected to demonstrate expertise, impact, and accomplishments outside of academia. While candidates from women’s advocacy organizations are welcome to apply, the program will focus on leadership, broadly speaking, rather than advocacy.

A Fellow must agree to return to his or her country at the end of the Fellowship period in accordance with U.S. law. Fellowships are awarded for the specific timeframe above and cannot be postponed. If urgent circumstances require a Fellow to return to his or her home country during the program period, the absence must be limited to no more than one week, with the Fellow covering the requisite travel expenses.

Eisenhower Fellowships places strong emphasis on the Statement of Purpose and Program Design sections of the application. Therefore, the Statement of Purpose should include the nature of your professional and leadership interests and what you hope to accomplish on the fellowship. The Program Design section should delineate the nature of appointments desired and the specific issues you wish to address in these meetings. This segment of the application helps to confirm the extent to which you might benefit from the program and forms the basis for initial research and planning undertaken by the EF program officer in developing your program. It therefore becomes a vital part of the program itself.

*Please answer all questions in the attached application in English.

Please submit your applications to e-mails: hdg@pslship.com and cjay@sltnet.lk before October 23, 2009.