The Fully Funded ICFJ Professional Fellows Program in USA is open now. It is an excellent opportunity for media professionals, including media entrepreneurs, journalists, and technologists, to polish their media leadership skills. This fellowship in USA 2024 is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, administered by ICFJ, and receives funding from the U.S. Government. The ICFJ Fellowship is a two-way exchange program that supports media professionals from Latin America and the Caribbean in developing skills such as audience engagement, online digital security, investigative reporting, data visualization, etc. The Professional Fellows Program by ICFJ combines a training program, mentorship, and an in-person exchange to navigate the evolving media landscape.

The ICFJ Fellowship program aims to bring together young professionals to the USA to promote mutual understanding and improve leadership. Moreover, media professionals from 25 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean will undergo a competitive selection process for the ICFJ Professional Fellows Program. Selected fellows will engage directly with U.S. media organizations, where they can develop entrepreneurial projects and enhance their skills in various areas. Hence, it is a fantastic opportunity for young media professionals to do a fellowship program in the United States.

The benefits of the Fully Funded ICFJ Professional Fellows Program in USA are:

• The ICFJ Professional Fellows Program is a fully funded fellowship in the USA.
• Participants have the opportunity to enhance their skills in various areas, including audience engagement, online digital security, investigative reporting, data visualization, etc.
• ICFJ and the Department of State cover all expenses of the fellowship program. Therefore, there are no costs of participation.
• It provides travel, accommodation, and emergency travel insurance benefits.
• Moreover, fellows also receive a stipend to cover their living expenses during the program.
• All participants will participate in a three-month virtual training session in 2024.
• They can also participate in an in-person exchange, travel to the USA, work directly with U.S. media organizations, improve their skills, and develop entrepreneurship projects.

The eligibility criteria for the Fully Funded ICFJ Professional Fellows Program in USA are stated below:

• The Professional Fellows Program for Emerging Media Leaders is open to applicants between the ages of 25 and 40.
• Candidates must be from one of the 25 countries mentioned above to be eligible for the ICFJ fellows program.
• United States citizens or permanent residents of the USA are not eligible to apply.
• All applicants should have at least two years of professional experience at the time of application.
• In addition, participants must be either citizens or permanent residents of their home country.
• Fellows should be residing and employed in their home country at the time of application.
• Similarly, interested candidates should be available to virtually start the Professional Fellows Program from September to November 2024.
• Participants must also be able to take part in the in-person exchange program of the Professional Fellows Program in the USA in 2025.
• To apply for the fellowship in the USA, applicants should be eligible to obtain a US J-1 visa.
• In addition, all ICFJ fellows must return to their home country after the completion of the Professional Fellows Program.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English is also a requirement at the time of application.

ICFJ Fellows Program Components:

1. Three-month Virtual Training Program (Sept-Nov 2024): 

• Fellows will engage in a virtual training series comprising up to five online sessions each month.

2. In-Person Exchange: 

• Two-day orientation in Washington D.C. USA (May 2025)
• Four-week professional placement in various newsrooms, digital communications firms, and startup incubators across the USA (May-June 2025)
• One-week Professional Fellows Congress held in Washington D.C. (June 2025)