The United States Department of State, in partnership with Cultural Vistas, is now accepting applications from emerging leaders across the Pacific to participate in the prestigious Professional Fellows Program. 

What is the Young Pacific Leaders Professional Fellows Program?  

The Young Pacific Leaders Professional Fellows Program (YPL PFP) international exchange will include a four-week professional fellowship placement at a host organization located in the United States (U.S.), as well as supplemental programming and travel to Honolulu, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C. The exchange will include a closing Professional Fellows Congress in Washington, D.C. for participants to gather with other Professional Fellows from across the globe to discuss shared global challenges and solutions.  

The YPL Professional Fellows Program (YPL PFP) is intended to build and reinforce professional connections between the Pacific Islands and the United States. The theme of the YPL PFP program, “Empowering Oceania” will focus on economic empowerment across the Pacific by exploring how systems can support innovation and sustainable economic development.  Participants will have the opportunity to build their capacities in growing regional entrepreneurship, business leadership, and workforce development.   

The program will have one cohort, with virtual programming occurring within the six months prior to the in-person programming scheduled to take place between May 15^th – June 27^th, 2025. 

At the conclusion of the exchange, program alumni will be eligible for seed funding to support them in completing a follow-on activity within their home communities to advance their professional goals. Additionally, alumni will also have the opportunity to host an American Fellow for an 11-day reciprocal exchange to support their follow-on activity. All program travel costs and accommodations will be covered by the program and coordinated by Cultural Vistas.  

For more information, please email pfpoceania@culturalvistas.org. 

How to Apply for the YPL PFP? 

To apply for the YPL PFP program, individuals must meet the below eligibility requirements and submit an online application to Cultural Vistas by the application deadline. Applicants must demonstrate how their current professional experiences aligns with the theme, “Empowering Oceania” and explain the prospective project they plan to implement in their home communities once they return from the fellowship.  

All applications for Pacific Fellows applying to participate in the Young Pacific Leaders Professional Fellows Program are due by 11:59 PM ET on 19 May 2024. 

Apply Now!

The Professional Fellows Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by Cultural Vistas. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Citizenship and residence in an eligible country:  
  • Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, or Wallis and Futuna; 

• Must be between 25 – 40 years of age at the time of participation in exchange; 
• Must be currently employed with a minimum of 2 years work experience; 
• Demonstrate professional experience related to economic empowerment; 
• Demonstrate written and oral proficiency in English; 
• Explain a prospective individual project to be implemented in the their home workplace or community; 
• Ability to receive a J-1 Government Visitor Visa; 
• Commitment to participate in the full duration of the program, which includes: 
  • Travel to the U.S. for a six-week exchange, and 
  • Implementation of follow-on activities upon returning home

What is the Young Pacific Leaders Initiative?  

Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) is a youth leadership development sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, which focuses on leadership development, and networking between emerging leaders across the Pacific and the United States. Launched in 2013, YPL Programs help to harness the extraordinary potential of youth in the region to address critical challenges and expand opportunities.  YPL program focuses are centered around the following four themes:  

1. Education 

2. Environment and Resource Management 

3. Civic Leadership 

4. Economic and Social Development 

To learn more, Sign up today to be part of the Young Pacific Leaders community or connect with YPL via Facebook and Instagram. 

What is the the Professional Fellows Program? 

The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) is a two-way, global exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, as well as build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders from foreign countries and the United States. PFP participants are placed in intensive fellowships in non-profit organizations, private sector businesses, and government offices across the United States for an individually tailored professional development experience. They build a broad network with American and other program participant colleagues as they develop a deeper understanding of U.S. society. The PFP is a two-way exchange, with American participants who have hosted foreign fellows traveling overseas for participant-driven reciprocal programs.