Apply: TechWomen Emerging Leaders Program 2025

TechWomen empowers, connects and supports the next generation of women leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East by providing them the access and opportunity needed to advance their careers, pursue their dreams, and inspire women and girls in their communities.

Through mentorship and exchange, TechWomen strengthens participants’ professional capacity, increases mutual understanding between key networks of professionals, and expands girls’ interest in STEM careers by exposing them to female role models.

• Table of Content
• About TechWomen
• TechWomen Emerging Leaders Program
• Aim and Benefits of TechWomen Emerging Leaders Program
• Requirements for TechWomen Emerging Leaders Program Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for TechWomen Emerging Leaders Program
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About TechWomen

TechWomen is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) mission is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange that assist in the development of peaceful relations. As mandated by the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) works to build friendly, peaceful rel... continue reading

TechWomen Emerging Leaders Program

Aim and Benefits of TechWomen Emerging Leaders Program

The following costs are covered by the TechWomen program:

• Roundtrip international airfare from participant home country to the United States
• Domestic airfare from San Francisco or Chicago to Washington, D.C.
• Housing in the San Francisco Bay Area, California or Chicago, Illinois during the mentorship period
• Meals and incidentals
• Hotel stay in Washington, D.C.
• Public transportation to the participant’s host company
• Local transportation to group program events in the San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, Illinois, and Washington, D.C.

Participants are responsible for the cost of any non program activities such as independent sightseeing and cultural events, as well as any non program-related domestic or international travel.

Housing

TechWomen participants will be housed in the San Francisco Bay Area, California or Chicago, Illinois depending on the location of the participant’s host company. Participants will share an apartment with a fellow Emerging Leader. Each participant will have her own private bedroom, while the living room and kitchen will be shared.

The TechWomen program is unable to accommodate participants’ spouses, children, or other dependents.

Please note that details are subject to change. Due to the fast-paced nature of the program, arrival and departure dates for selected participants are not flexible. TechWomen is also unable to adjust the host city or mentorship placement of participants for the program

Requirements for TechWomen Emerging Leaders Program Qualification

 Applicants must:

• Have at minimum, two years of full-time professional experience in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields at the time of application.
• Have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree/four-year university degree or equivalent.  Internships and other unpaid work experience do not count toward the two-year professional experience requirement.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Be citizens and permanent residents of Albania, Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan or Zimbabwe.
• Be eligible to obtain a U.S. J-1 exchange visitor visa.
• Not have applied for an immigrant visa to the United States (other than the Diversity Immigrant Visa, also known as the “visa lottery”) in the past five years.
• Not hold U.S. citizenship or be a U.S. legal permanent resident.

Preference will be given to applicants who:

•  Are living and working in a TechWomen program country during the time of application and while participating in the program. Special consideration will be given to applicants experiencing displacement.
• Demonstrate themselves as emerging leaders in their chosen professional track through their work experience, volunteer experience, community activities and education.
• Are committed to return to their home countries to share what they have learned and mentor women and youth.
• Have limited or no prior experience in the United States.
• Have a proven record of voluntary or public service in their communities.
• Have a demonstrated track record of entrepreneurialism and commitment to innovation.
• Demonstrate a willingness to participate in exchange programs, welcome opportunities for mentoring and new partnership development, and exhibit confidence and maturity.

TechWomen encourages people with diverse backgrounds and skills to apply, including individuals with disabilities. 

Interview date, Process and Venue for TechWomen Emerging Leaders Program

Timeline:

• Applicants will be notified of the status of their application (non-select or semi-finalist) no later than April 2025.
• Final decisions will be made no later than May 31, 2025.
• All applicants will be notified of the results of their application.
• November 2024 – January 2025: 2025 Application Open
• April 2025: Semifinalists contacted
• May 2025: Final selection decisions made
• September – October 2025: U.S. 2025 TechWomen program

Selection: TechWomen participants are selected based on the eligibility requirements below. Applications are reviewed by independent selection committees composed of industry leaders and regional experts. Semifinalists may be interviewed by United States Embassy personnel in their country of permanent residence.

Check also:
Commonwealth Master's Scholarship to Study in UK 2027/2028
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Africans 2027 (Fully Funded to USA)

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit Techwomen webpage