Our Programs
Edmund S. Muskie Professional Fellowship
Enrich your graduate studies and understanding of U.S. work culture with a summer internship in your field
Our Programs
Enrich your graduate studies and understanding of U.S. work culture with a summer internship in your field
The Edmund S. Muskie Professional Fellowship Program invites participants to:
*Costs to participate in the program are covered by the grant, and participants will receive a stipend to cover living expenses in the cities in which their internship takes place*
All participants must agree to actively participate in the program, including the internship placement process. While Cultural Vistas provides assistance for each participant in search of their summer internship, it is each participant’s responsibility to secure their internship.
Various organizations in the U.S. have different hiring practices, and some of them require applicants to go through their own selection process. We highly recommend participants start their internship search as early as possible and apply for various positions that fit their professional interests before the Muskie Program result announcement. Cultural Vistas understands that students have many responsibilities during their academic year; however, the rewards are worth the effort. Participants will get the chance to gain hands-on experience in a U.S. organization, expand their professional network, and gain a deeper understanding of the U.S. and its people.
The Muskie Program is funded via a grant from the U.S. Department of State, The Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR) and The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA). Financial support provided by the grant will cover the following costs:
*Cultural Vistas will make all travel arrangements*
Step 1
Step 2
Applications go live for a month starting in mid-October through mid-November every year.
Eligible candidates will receive an email from the Muskie team with application instructions. For
any questions, email muskie@culturalvistas.org.
If you have not received an email but would like to check your eligibility, click here.
Step 3
Each application is reviewed by a panel of reviewers.
Step 4
Applicants who are invited to the second round of the application process will take part in interviews with the Muskie team in mid-December.
Step 5
The Muskie team will notify applicants of their final decision upon the completion of interviews, typically in early January.
No, the Edmund S. Muskie Professional Fellowship Program (officially called the Edmund S. Muskie Internship Program from 2015 until 2021) is a revised program from the former academic program that was discontinued. It focuses on practical internship training opportunities where participants can apply academic principles learned in the classroom and build skills that can be applied to their careers in their home countries.
No, the Muskie Professional Fellowship Program is only open to current degree-seeking Foreign Fulbright Student Program grantees from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
No, only current Foreign Fulbright Students still in the U.S. are eligible for the Muskie Professional Fellowship Program. If you have already returned home from your Fulbright Program, you are not eligible to apply.
Yes, you are eligible to apply for post-degree academic training. If you are selected to the Muskie Professional Fellowship Program this year, your visa will be extended with academic training approval through the duration of your Muskie Fellowship. Please check with your IIE advisor regarding the length of your post-academic training.
Yes, the letter of recommendation can be submitted by a professor from your U.S. university, a university in your home country, or a current or previous employer in the U.S. or your home country. All letters of recommendation must be in English. You can either upload your letters through the online application or have them emailed to muskie@culturalvistas.org.
No, participating in the Muskie Professional Fellowship Program will not affect your two-year home residency requirement. You will still be subject to the 212e requirement after you return home from your Fulbright Program.
Semi-finalists will be notified in early December. Program finalists are selected by mid-January. We will be in contact with all applicants after their application has been submitted regarding their application status.
Selected Muskie Finalists will work with the Muskie Program team to find an internship opportunity that matches their current studies, interests, and career goals. While we assist each participant in search of their summer internship, it’s a participant’s responsibility to secure their internship. Finalists who already have an internship offer or find one on their own for the summer are still eligible for the Muskie Professional Fellowship Program and will still partake in all of the program activities. We will work with those finalists to ensure their internship meets the requirements for the Muskie Program. It is strongly recommended that participants start applying to internships that are of interest to you. Do not wait to receive notification of participation in the Muskie Program if the deadline to apply for an internship is before the official program announcement timeline.
Cultural Vistas works with government, non-profit, and private organizations every year to place interns. Cultural Vistas will both leverage these relationships and create new partnerships in order to place Muskie Finalists in internships that benefit both the participant and the host company. Check out our Instagram to learn more from Muskie Fellowship alumni and past host organizations.
Cultural Vistas cannot guarantee placement with a host company that provides a paid internship. The Muskie Professional Fellowship Program is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of State. With their support, the program will provide each participant with a three-month stipend to cover the cost of living during their summer internship.
Muskie internships are expected to be full-time (between 32-40 hours per week), three months in length (10-12 weeks during the summer), and will involve at least 60% of in-person work each week. If your IIE advisor states that you are eligible for a longer post-academic training, please note that your Muskie stipend will only cover three months of summer internship. It is your responsibility to find a position that provides financial compensation for the whole duration of your post-academic training if you make arrangements to continue your internship beyond your Muskie Program participation.
Please email muskie@culturalvistas.org with any additional questions you may have regarding the Muskie Professional Fellowship Program or the application process.