TechWomen is currently accepting applications for the 2016 program. We’re excited to welcome women leaders from Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia!
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is looking forward to another year of TechWomen, one of ECA’s signature public diplomacy programs designed to support development in the field of technology in participating countries, and to enable women to reach their full potential in the technology industry through five-week mentorships with American women at leading innovation companies and organizations in the United States. Inaugurated by former Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2011, TechWomen provides a unique opportunity to women from Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East to gain firsthand experience in America’s tech industry.
The participating countries are:
- Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Zimbabwe
- Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, and Tunisia
- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
2016 TechWomen Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be women with, at minimum, two years full-time professional experience in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math)
- 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, the Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Yemen, 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, or participated in a 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
The application is available online and will be open until February 1, 2016. The TechWomen website can be found at: www.techwomen.org.
