What is the Professional Fellows Program?
The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) for the Middle East and North Africa is a two-way exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. The program is designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, and build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders committed to strengthening their communities through community leadership, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. Our program base is Washington DC with fellowship placements in either Austin, Texas, Detroit, Michigan, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania or Washington DC.
Upcoming U.S. based programs include:
Fall 2025 - 50 MENA fellows from Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia.
Spring 2026 - 26 MENA fellows from Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.
PFP programs include a reciprocal exchange of US Fellows traveling to the MENA region during the community initiative phase.
Atef from Tunisia
During his fellowship at Silicon Hills Capital in Austin, Atef played an essential role in supporting the organization's investment strategies and startup development initiatives. His mentor described him as “an excellent fit,” noting that he successfully networked with more than 25 founders, both in person and virtually. They added, “Atef’s familiarity with entrepreneurship was a perfect match for our venture firm, and he was 100% successful in his role.” Atef left with enhanced skills in innovation management and new insights into the venture capital landscape in the U.S.
ATEF El Khammar, Tunisia
Fellowship Placement: Silicon Hills Capital
Alumni by the Numbers
Have participated in Legacy International's Professional Fellows Program
That our fellows call home: Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Kuwait, Oman, Morocco, and Tunisia
Since Legacy began implementing the Professional Fellows Program in 2010
About the Fellows
PFP Fellows are placed with host organizations in private sector businesses, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and government offices for an individually tailored professional development experience. The most important outcome is the creation of strong networks of like minded people all working towards the same goals. All participants develop a deeper understanding of U.S. and MENA cultures, thus expanding global citizenship and professional skills. American participants who have hosted foreign fellows travel overseas for participant-driven reciprocal programs.