Last updated September 1, 2022
These fellowships offer the opportunity for recent graduates to spend a year (or two!) abroad before undertaking more school or a more traditional job. You could teach English in over 100 countries around the world, complete an independent project, or get hands-on experience in international nonprofit organizations, among many other options. If one of these sounds like a great fit for you, make sure to bookmark it to your ProFellow account!
America Solidaria Fellowship
America Solidaria is an international non-profit that places Spanish-speaking international fellows in local nonprofit organizations across Latin America to serve for a year in capacity-building projects focused on education, health, and economic development. Applicants should have a strong desire to implement local projects that build capacity for communities living in poverty and inequality. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; 35 years or younger; possess a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; possess professional experience in the NGO/nonprofit/social or public sector; and demonstrate Spanish language ability. Selection for the March cohort begins in October and selection for the September cohort begins in April.
Blakemore Freeman Fellowships
Blakemore Freeman Fellowships are awarded for one academic year of full-time, intensive language study at the advanced level in East or Southeast Asia in approved language programs. Applicants must have a well-defined career objective involving Asia in which regular use of the language is an important aspect; the potential to make a significant contribution to a field of study or area of professional or business activity in an Asian country; prior experience in the Asian country or involvement or participation in activities related to the country; and a good academic, professional, or business background appropriate to the career program. The fellowship covers tuition or tutoring fees, plus a stipend for travel, living and study expenses.
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX)
A full-year, reciprocal work-study fellowship providing 75 Americans, age 18-24, with an understanding of everyday life, education, & professional training in Germany. Includes RT transatlantic flight, university tuition, language training, living stipend, & program-related travel costs in Germany: 2 months language training in Germany, 4 months of study at German university, and a 5 month internship in a German-speaking work environment. Also Accommodation in a German home/student residence, seminars, in-country support during program & health & accident insurance.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships (ETA)
The English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Programs place recent college graduates and young professionals from the U.S. in classrooms abroad for up to 1 year to provide assistance to the local English teachers. ETA’s help teach English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for the U.S. The age and academic level of the students varies by country, ranging from kindergarten to university level. Applicants for English Teaching Assistant Programs can apply to only one country. Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application.
Fulbright/National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship
The Fulbright/National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship is a new component of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program that provides opportunities for U.S. citizens to participate in an academic year of overseas travel and digital storytelling in up to three countries on a globally significant social or environmental topic. In addition to receiving Fulbright benefits (for travel, stipend, health, etc.), Fellows will receive instruction in digital storytelling techniques and will be paired with one or more National Geographic editors. Applicants may submit proposals for grants to 1-3 foreign countries.
Fulbright Schuman Innovation Grants
The Innovation Grants are designed to support work that can create better transatlantic understanding of issues at the heart of the U.S.-EU relationship, particularly at the intersection of policy and technology. The grants will give preference to proposals focused on EU or U.S.-EU approaches to the issues of data privacy and protection. Successful proposals should address the technological and policy aspects of data privacy and protection. Grants of 2K-3K Euro/month, plus travel allowances, are available for U.S. and EU students and scholars. Check the website for deadlines, some may vary by citizenship.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program for Study/Research
A U.S. Student Fulbright Grant allows for individually designed study/research projects that will take place during one academic year (9-12 months) in a country outside the U.S. Applicants design their own projects and will typically work with advisers at foreign universities or other institutes of higher education. The study/research awards are available in approximately 140 countries. For recent BA/BS graduates, graduate and doctoral students, and young professionals including artists, musicians, writers, journalists, and those in law, business, and other professional fields. Undergraduate and graduate students must apply through their institution; professionals and former students can apply through their alma mater or At Large.
HAEF Teaching Fellowship/Fulbright Greece
Up to 12 grants are available to recent graduates to serve as Teaching Fellows at the Hellenic American Educational Foundation (HAEF) and act as young ambassadors, strengthening the ties between the Foundation and the United States, and providing a cross-cultural educational experience. The Fellowship is open to recent U.S. Bachelor’s and Master’s degree holders with a record of academic excellence at both the undergraduate and graduate level. The preferred age limit at the time of application is 26. Majors in Education and English literature and language (including TESOL/TEFL) are preferred, but not required.
Luce Scholars Program
The Luce Scholars Program is a nationally competitive fellowship program. It was launched by the Henry Luce Foundation in 1974 to enhance the understanding of Asia among potential leaders in American society. The program provides stipends, language training, and individualized professional placement in Asia for 15-18 Luce Scholars each year, and welcomes applications from college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals in a variety of fields who have had limited exposure to Asia. Candidates must be U.S. citizens up to age 30, and candidates must be nominated by one of 75 participating colleges and universities. Check with university for internal deadlines.
MENAR Fellowship Program
The MENAR Fellowship Program is working to achieve this objective by offering one-year post-graduation fellowships for top graduates of American colleges at leading organizations in the Middle East and North Africa. The program offers these graduates an opportunity to engage with the people and institutions of the Middle East through high-impact, professional fellowships; provides service organizations with passionate young professionals who can forge a bridge between the U.S. and the region and aid in the region’s development; and fosters a new generation of U.S. leaders in service, politics, and policy who have experience with the challenges the region faces and the potential it holds.
Mike Mansfield Fellowship Program
The Mansfield Fellowship Program was established to build a corps of U.S. federal government employees with proficiency in the Japanese language and practical, firsthand knowledge about Japan and its government. Through their placements, fellows develop networks of contacts in Japan and an understanding of the political, economic and strategic dimensions of the U.S.-Japan relationship. The fellowship is for 1 year, beginning with a 7-week course of intensive language study and followed by 10 months of full-time work in Japanese government offices. Fellows are required to serve at least 2 years in the federal government after the fellowship.
NIF/Shatil Social Justice Fellowship
The NIF/Shatil Social Justice Fellowship is a 10-month immersive experience in Israel, where fellows work on cutting-edge social justice issues alongside veteran activists. Fellows spend four days per week working on the front lines of social change in Israel at a premiere Israeli social change organization. In addition to monthly seminars, fellows will learn about coalition and movement building from experts. Living expenses are covered by a stipend. Fellows should have strong Hebrew language skills or proficiency in Arabic.
Princeton in Africa Fellowships
Princeton in Africa helps future leaders develop lifelong connections to the people and nations of Africa. We offer highly selective yearlong fellowships to recent college graduates with organizations across the African continent; we enable our Fellows, through their work, to make significant contributions to Africa’s well-being; and we encourage our Fellows to cultivate meaningful relationships with communities in Africa and with one another. Fellows are provided with basic living stipends. Graduating seniors and young alumni from any college or university accredited in the U.S. are eligible to apply. Please note that prior Africa experience is NOT a requirement.
Princeton in Latin America
Princeton in Latin America (PiLA) seeks to connect recent college graduates with one-year, service-oriented positions at NGOs and community based service organizations in Latin America. For all positions, basic professional competency in Spanish or Portuguese is required. In addition to Spanish, French may be helpful for some placements in the Dominican Republic, for those projects serving the Haitian immigrant population. Application interviews are conducted partly in Spanish or Portuguese, and a language-competency evaluation is part of the application. Applications to PiLA are open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are recent graduates of U.S. and Canadian universities.
Princeton in Asia Fellowships
Princeton in Asia (PiA) is an independent, non-profit organization affiliated with Princeton University. Founded in 1898, the program has long been driven by a mission to foster mutual appreciation and cultural understanding by connecting service-minded graduates and partner organizations in Asia through immersive work experiences. PiA offers year-long, service-oriented fellowships in 22 countries and regions of Asia in the fields of education, public health, economic development, environmental sustainability, and peace, justice, and access to information. PiA fellowships are open to graduates or graduating seniors of any university.
Thomas J. Watson Fellowship
The Thomas J. Watson Foundation provides fellowships to graduating seniors nominated by a participating college or university in the United States to engage in a year of independent study and travel abroad following their graduation. The project must be one that can be pursued with independence and adaptability, and it cannot involve formal study at a foreign institution. It must involve travel to areas where the student has not previously lived or studied for a significant length of time. The fellowship offers a stipend of $30,000. Ask your campus advisor about internal deadlines. The national selection process begins in November.
VIA Global Community Fellowship
The Global Community Fellowship is a 13-15 month program for graduating seniors and young or established professionals. Fellows work at NGOs and schools across Asia to support community development and youth education programs. Candidates include starting and experienced professionals with a BA or BS degree. Although the fellowship is primarily aimed towards US citizens, applications are accepted from international residents who have a previous connection to VIA or a substantial US connection. The fellowship provides a living and housing stipend, medical insurance, Intra-Asia travel and language study grants.
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