The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program is a U.S. government-sponsored program for secondary school students from 10 of the republics of the former Soviet Union (Eurasia) including Armenia. The program provides full scholarship funding for students to travel to the United States, attend a US high school for a full academic year (July/August to May/June), and live with a US host family. American Councils is the central FLEX administrative organization.

Participation in the selection process is open to all students that meet the eligibility requirements, which include age limitations, satisfactory academic standing, English language training, Armenian citizenship, and U.S. visa eligibility requirements. Selection is based on the evaluation of multiple factors that contribute to a positive exchange experience and provide evidence of leadership potential.

Following completion of their program students must return to their homes in Armenia, where FLEX alumni association sponsor activities throughout the year.

For more information about the program please visit https://armenia.americancouncils.org/flex-en.

Calls for applications are announced at http://www.usa.am/cms/announcements.php and on our FB page.

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program brings citizens of Armenia to the United States for Master’s degree at U.S. universities in a wide range of professional fields.  Participants are recruited through a national merit-based, open competition and are selected based on their leadership potential, academic excellence, maturity, ability to adjust successfully to life in the United States, and potential to promote mutual understanding between the United States and Armenia.

These studies are funded for one year, pending: final approval by the Foreign Scholars Board (FSB), a successful application for a J-1 visa; receipt of medical clearance; successful academic placement at a U.S. institution of higher education by the Institute for International Education (IIE); and availability of funds. Basic requirements for the scholarship are:

• Armenian citizenship and residency;
• completed bachelor studies by the start of the grant;
• proficiency in English/successful TOEFL and GRE exams (all finalists will take TOEFL and GRE tests);
• completed online application, including a statement;
• two-three reference letters;
• military service completion or proof of military service deferment for male applicants;
• good health and physical condition. Strong preference is given to applicants who have not had extensive recent experience in the United States.

More information is available at https://us.fulbrightonline.org/fulbright-us-student-program

Calls for applications are announced at http://www.usa.am/cms/announcements.php and on our FB page.

U.S. Faculty and Professionals program offers U.S. scholars a unique opportunity to share their knowledge and experience with their colleagues in other countries.

The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program awards grants to foreign scholars to conduct post-doctoral research at U.S. universities for an academic year or term.  The Fulbright Program was named after Senator J. William Fulbright from Arkansas, who proposed the program in 1946 “to increase mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of other countries.”  All grants are approved by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, which is appointed by the President of the United States.

“The Fulbright Program aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby to increase the chance that nations will learn at least to live in peace and friendship.”

Basic requirements for the scholarship are:

• Armenian citizenship and residency,
• evidence of employment in the Republic of Armenia,
• Ph.D.,
• proficiency in English,
• Completed online application,
• references,
• good health and physical condition,

The priority fields are political science, economics, social science, international relations, journalism and law, American studies (history, literature, society & culture of the United States), environmental studies and public health.

The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). This international educational and cultural exchange program brings future leaders to the United States to experience the U.S. educational system, enhance their knowledge, and explore U.S. culture and values. It also affords students the opportunity to share their cultures and traditions with people in the United States. Global UGRAD is administered by World Learning on behalf of ECA.

Global UGRAD will provide a select group of approximately 250 students with scholarships for one academic semester of undergraduate, non-degree study in the United States. The scholarship will cover international travel, tuition, room and board, accident/sickness insurance, a small monthly stipend, and funding for books. Global UGRAD is a substantive exchange program designed to expose students to the U.S. educational system, society, and culture. Finalists represent diverse disciplines, from architecture to engineering, biochemistry to literature and education.

General Eligibility Requirement:

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Applicant must be a citizen of a UGRAD participating country, currently residing in that country;
• Applicant must be able to receive and maintain a J-1 visa;
• Participants must be committed to returning to their home country after completion of the program.

Calls for applications are announced at http://www.usa.am/cms/announcements.php and on our FB page.

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship is a one-year, full scholarship program offered to mid-career professionals who have a commitment to public service, are in current leadership positions, and at a point in their careers to fully benefit from a self-defined program of independent study at a leading U.S. university. The program awards a certificate from the U.S. Government, and it is not designed to deliver an advanced degree.

Humphrey Fellows are selected based on their potential for leadership and their commitment to public service in either the public or private sector.  The Program awards a certificate from the U.S. Government but it is not designed to deliver an advanced degree.  As a non-degree program, the Fellowship offers valuable opportunities for professional development through selected university courses, conferences, networking, and practical work experiences.  The program will be funded for one academic year, pending: a successful application for a J-1 visa; receipt of medical clearance; and availability of funds.

The Humphrey Program is administered directly by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy.

For more information contact us at yerevanusinfo@state.gov.

Calls for applications are announced at http://www.usa.am/cms/announcements.php and on our FB page.

The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. For Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine PFP is administered with legislative focus and administered by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS.

The Professional Fellows Program brings emerging leaders in the fields of legislative process and governance; civic engagement; NGO management; economic empowerment and entrepreneurship; and journalism from around the world to the United States for intensive fellowships designed to broaden their professional expertise. Participants spend approximately one month in the United States, during which they receive hands-on exposure to national legislative offices, state legislatures, local government offices, businesses, and non-profit organizations through carefully designed full-time fellowships.

Fellowships provide participants the opportunity to examine the relationship between civil society and government in the United States and how respective agencies and organizations work to strengthen citizen participation, transparency, and accountability. The program also establishes structured interaction among American and foreign participants designed to develop enduring professional ties and lasting partnerships. At the conclusion of their fellowships, participants travel to Washington, DC, for a three-day Professional Fellows Congress, where they have the opportunity to engage with more than 270 Professional Fellows from around the world. The program takes place twice per year, in the spring (May/June) and in the fall (October/November).

The Professional Fellows Program affords promising young professionals the opportunity to gain practical experience in, and exposure to, United States government. The fellows will be part of the larger cohort of the Professional Fellows Program. The knowledge and interest of these young Eurasian professionals in American political processes will be expanded through short-term (5-6 weeks) fellowships in state legislatures and city halls across the United States, as well as on Capitol Hill and in non-profit organizations that address policy issues. In addition, PFP enables Americans to travel on reciprocal visits.

More information is available on American Councils webpage at https://armenia.americancouncils.org/pfp-en.

Calls for applications are announced at http://www.usa.am/cms/announcements.php and on our FB page.

The International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP), presents a unique opportunity for U.S. Embassy personnel working overseas to nominate mid-level professionals to participate in a two to three-week program designed specifically to address their professional interests.

The Work and Travel USA program gives you an opportunity to spend your summer holidays in the USA, earn money, have great intercultural experience, make worldwide connections as well as to have unforgettable memories. You’ll also have an international work experience that will enhance your professional assets and make you more competent in the global job market! Work & Travel USA works with a wide range of employers all over the country who need short-term, seasonal staff. Plenty of different job opportunities are available to the participants of the program, including positions in resorts, hotels, bed & breakfasts, restaurants, amusement parks, ski resorts and retail stores.

The Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program provides international teachers with a unique opportunity to develop greater expertise in their subject areas, enhance their teaching skills, and increase their knowledge about the United States. The TEA Program is a fully funded, six-weeklong, non-degree, non-credit, and customized academic program including seminars on new teaching methodologies, curriculum development, lesson planning, and instructional technology. Participants also take part in a practicum in a U.S. secondary school near their host university where they work closely with U.S. teachers and teach, co-teach and present information about their home countries to U.S. students. Cultural enrichment, mentoring, and support are provided throughout the program. The international participants will travel to the United States for one of two six-week professional development programs. After returning home, teachers who successfully complete the program will be eligible to compete for small grant awards for essential teaching materials, training for other teachers, collaborative projects between participating American schools and their home schools, and other activities that build on the exchange experience.

All applicants must:

• Be current secondary school-level, full-time teachers in a school that serves a primarily local (not expatriate) population;
• Have five or more years of classroom experience in TEA teaching disciplines: English, EFL, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, or special education;
• Be citizens of and residents in eligible TEA countries;
• Have earned a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent;
• Obtain a minimum score of 450 on paper based TOEFL or equivalent English language examination;
• Demonstrate a commitment to continue teaching after completion of the program; and
• Have submitted a complete application

More information is available at https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/teaching-excellence-and-achievement-program.