Application For TechWomen Award Is Open Till January 17th

Application for TechWomen, an Initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs which aims to provide support and connect women leaders in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is still open for application until January 17th, 2017.

The application which opened on November 15, 2016, covers countries in Africa, Central, and South Asia as well as the middle east.

To be eligible for the TechWomen Award, applicants must

• Be women with at least minimum of two years full-time professional experience in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields. Please note that internships and other unpaid work experience do not count toward the two-year professional experience requirement.
• Have, a minimum of 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, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan 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.

Also, 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.

TechWomen encourages people with diverse backgrounds and skills to apply, including individuals with disabilities.

Women committed to addressing concerns of global climate change and environmental issues are particularly encouraged to apply.

Selection Timeline

The 2017 TechWomen application will be open November 15, 2016, through January 17, 2017. Semifinalists will be contacted via email in/around March 2017. Final decisions will be made no later than early May 2017. All applicants will be notified of the results of their application.