Eisenhower Fellowships seeks to identify emerging leaders from the U.S. in fields important to the development of their regions and who would benefit significantly from an intense 4-8 week professional and leadership exposure abroad. In recommending and nominating candidates, the following criteria should be used:
- Five to ten years of demonstrated exemplary leadership, as well as an expectation of at least 15-20 years of higher level leadership contributions, thus a preferred age range of 32-45.
- Demonstrated impact in the individual’s professional field, as evidenced by rapid advancement and significant accomplishment within the person’s institutional and regional context.
- Active leadership in broader professional/community activities, demonstrating a concern for improving society beyond one’s own basic job focus.
- Integrity, energy, and motivation to make a difference, as evidenced in the individual’s statement of purpose, overall conduct, and testimony of others.
- Breadth of perspective and enthusiasm for continued learning, reflected in the range of expressed interests and activities that extend beyond the specific professional specialty.
- Likelihood of contributing to the home region and to the larger Eisenhower network, based on prior networking record of dialog and work with others for common purposes.
- Ability to design and articulate appropriate program objectives, reflecting thoughtful analysis and including achievable goals and objectives specifically linked to professional broadening and leadership development.
- Demonstrated potential for advanced leadership and societal impact through influence on key policies or in important operational areas, as evidenced by the individual’s prior career progression and personal attributes.
- “Value added” of Fellowship to significantly enhance leadership strength and impact, based on comparatively limited recent exposure internationally, and particularly to the countries intended to be visited during the Fellowship.