Washington, D.C. (October 20, 2021) – The Edmund S. Muskie Internship Program is pleased to announce its name change to the Edmund S. Muskie Professional Fellowship Program, effective October 18, 2021. The new name reflects the high caliber of the program’s participants, emerging leaders of the Fulbright Program from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia; the level of responsibility they take on during their summer internships in the U.S.; the variety of professional development opportunities they receive during the program to enhance their competencies; and the long-term impact they have globally and in their home countries. With the new name, the program’s mission remains the same – equipping the next generation of young professionals from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan with practical skills to promote mutual understanding and support the long-term establishment of strong civil societies in their home countries.

Since 2015, over 300 promising leaders have participated in the Muskie Program. The U.S. organizations that have hosted Muskie Fellows and played a critical role in fostering mutual understanding include the Library of Congress, the International Economic Development Council, Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Division, Harvard Medical School, the World Bank Group, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Wisconsin Watch, DeepCast LLC, United States Institute of Peace, Lehigh University College of Education, Council Rock Enterprises LLC, and the International Bar Association, among others.

During the program, participants gain practical skills in their professional field, build international partnerships, global competencies, and broaden their perspectives. Muskie Fellows are committed to using their experience to make a long-lasting impact in their home countries. For an example of the intercultural experiences the program facilitates, you can click here to learn about a 2021 Muskie Fellow’s summer internship.

“The late Senator and Secretary of State Edmund Muskie would be happy we are implementing a program in his name to talk about things such as mutual understanding, civil society, volunteerism, and inclusive democracies. Things have certainly changed since his time in public service, but the need for these things – globally – has not changed.”

– Dan Ewert | Senior Vice President Program Research and Development, Cultural Vistas

About the Program

The Edmund S. Muskie Professional Fellowship Program is a summer fellowship program funded by the U.S. Department of State that provides emerging leaders of the Fulbright Program from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan with the opportunity to gain real-world experience complementing and enriching their graduate studies in the United States. For more information, please visit our website.