Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Eisenhower Fellowships?
- What kinds of programs does Eisenhower Fellowships conduct?
- Who are the Fellows and how are they chosen?
- How does the nominating process work?
- What is the age criterion for applicants?
- Are there other considerations when applying?
- How can I apply?
- How is Eisenhower Fellowships funded?
- Who leads the organization?
- What makes the Eisenhower Fellowships unique?
What is Eisenhower Fellowships?
Eisenhower Fellowships engages emerging leaders from around the world to enhance their professional capabilities, broaden their contacts, deepen their perspectives, and unite them in a diverse, global community—a network where dialogue, understanding, and collaboration lead to a more prosperous, just, and peaceful world.
Eisenhower Fellowships was founded in 1953 as a tribute to Dwight D. Eisenhower as he assumed the U.S. presidency. Its purpose and design reflect his conviction that greater understanding among individuals fosters greater understanding among nations and contributes to peace and progress for all.
Nearly 1700 men and women from over 100 countries have joined the ranks of Eisenhower Fellows since 1953. They include four heads of government and at least 100 in positions of influence at cabinet level or higher. Hundreds of other alumni have led major corporations, NGOs, and academic institutions, or served as legislators, Supreme Court judges, ambassadors, and noted journalists. They regularly consult with other Fellows and members of the Eisenhower network.
What kinds of programs does Eisenhower Fellowships conduct?
EF designs its programs to give participants professional insights and contacts, a broadened international and cross-cultural perspective, and a lifelong network of colleagues and friends from their program group, their respective country Fellow association, and the worldwide Eisenhower network.
Eisenhower Fellowships accomplishes its mission through four major programs:
The Multi Nation Program brings to the United States up to 25 Fellows from as many countries each spring, while the Single Region/Nation Program comprises approximately 20–25 Fellows from a single country or region each fall. Eisenhower Fellows are chosen for their leadership achievements and potential to make an impact in the future. They follow individualized two-month programs that take them to 10–12 cities for 60–80 meetings with U.S. leaders in their respective fields.
The USA Program typically sends 10-15 Fellows abroad each year from New England, Philadelphia, and North Carolina’s Research Triangle, and from the field of agriculture.
The Alumni Network Program is an effective intersection of past and present Fellows—“once a Fellow, always a Fellow”. Currently comprised of 1100 alumni, many of whom consult and collaborate with one another, as well as with Trustees and corporate sponsors, their professional engagements contribute to Eisenhower Fellowships’ mission on an ongoing basis.
To download a sample fellowship program summary, click here.
Who are these Fellows and how are they chosen?
Eisenhower Fellowships has identified men and women well on their way to positions of national leadership and provided them with opportunities for professional, intellectual, and personal growth.
We look for men and women of outstanding achievement in mid-career, who are expected to assume positions of influence—impact players who can make a difference in their home regions, countries, and beyond. Professional backgrounds vary widely within both the public and private sectors, including the not-for-profit and academic arenas. Fellows have been economists, architects, businessmen and women, environmentalists, public servants, physicians, and professors, to name only a few. Breadth and variety across political thought lines make for lively interchange among the Fellows.
All this—making a difference, having an impact, working with the EF global network—contributes to mutual understanding, improving lives, and a more peaceful world.
How does the nominating process work?
Eisenhower Fellows for the Multi Nation and Single Region Programs are identified by in-country nominating committees comprised of alumni Fellows, eminent public sector, business, and NGO leaders from the broader community, and sometimes local U.S. embassy representatives. Similarly, the USA Program works with nominating committees in New England, Philadelphia, and the Research Triangle, North Carolina to identify Fellows from those regions, as well as with a national committee to identify a Fellow from the field of agriculture. These dedicated working groups identify the top emerging leaders who are highly accomplished in selected fields of key relevance to their countries. They work to ensure professional, gender, and geographic diversity, selecting fields and candidates to encourage substantive professional interaction within and across borders. With top global leaders championing EF programs, the potential for links in business, government, and civil society is significant.
The importance of strengthening bilateral and multilateral links within and beyond the region is clear. Eisenhower Fellowships will broaden and deepen the capabilities, vision, and networks of the region’s emerging generation of senior leadership in these times of ever-increasing interdependence.
What is the age criterion for applicants?
To ensure a sufficient track record of leadership achievement, along with at least 20 years ahead for further development, Eisenhower Fellowships focuses on candidates in the age range of 35-42 with some flexibility for those between 32-45 years of age. For more of our criteria, click here.
Are there other considerations when applying?
The two international programs occur at specific times each year, with an opening and closing seminar as a key and integral part of the experience. An Eisenhower fellowship cannot be postponed to another time or year. It is therefore important to carefully consider whether professional and family circumstances can reasonably allow participation in the program for the indicated time period.
How can I apply?
Applications for the Multi Nation or Single Region/Nation programs are submitted directly to the nominating committee in each participating country. International applications are not accepted in Philadelphia. Applications for the USA program are accepted by regional nominating committees in New England, the Philadelphia area, and Research Triangle area of North Carolina, and also in Philadelphia
How is Eisenhower Fellowships funded?
A not-for-profit organization, Eisenhower Fellowships receives funds from corporate sponsors, foundation grants, Eisenhower Fellows, and friends. While these comprise the majority of support, endowment earnings are also utilized from a growing private endowment raised and managed by the Trustees and from a trust fund established by the U.S. Congress as a memorial to President Eisenhower. These funds support the Multi Nation and Single Region/Nation Programs, the USA Program, and the activities of the worldwide network of Fellows.
Sponsors and donors are invited to meet with the Fellows during the Opening and Closing Seminars. Corporate and foundation officers also organize site visits, introductions to experts, and discussions with Fellows where the sponsor shares professional, business, and international interests with the Fellow and his or her country and region.
Who leads the organization?
Colin Powell assumed the chairmanship of Eisenhower Fellowships from Dr. Henry A. Kissinger in 2006. John S. Wolf serves as Eisenhower Fellowships’ president.
What makes Eisenhower Fellowships unique?
What is unique about Eisenhower Fellowships is its diverse network of 1100 high-ranking leaders from dozens of countries around the world who engage with each other throughout their lifetimes; provide practical and moral support, as well as key policy ideas, to each other; and thereby enrich both their professional and personal lives and the well-being of their societies.
Eisenhower Fellows embrace expertise from virtually every professional field, ranging from politics, business, and education to agriculture, city planning, and community development. With active members from the worlds of government, corporations, NGOs, journalism, and academia, EF offers leadership enhancement programs with greater inter-disciplinary and international collaboration than is possible in professional associations that focus on specific fields.
Following each fellowship travel period, diverse EF alumni participate in national events, as well as regional and international conferences, focusing on fundamental issues that leaders and societies will face in the 21st century, such as the role of information technology, impact of the biotechnology revolution, grappling with higher commodity prices, and narrowing the gap between rich and poor. These gatherings aim to use the special knowledge and skills of Eisenhower Fellows worldwide to develop new insights and creative solutions to modern-day problems. Gatherings of Eisenhower Fellows, with Fellows' spouses as active participants, generate a vibrant, and unique, family feeling and a sense of trust that is exhilarating for all who participate. This, and Eisenhower Fellows’ passion to make a difference, open the way for new opportunities to enhance the prospects for a more prosperous, just, and peaceful world.