TechWomen Emerging Leaders Program 2025 (Fully Funded to U.S)

Reach us on

Applications are open for TechWomen Emerging Leaders Program 2025. TechWomen is an Initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. 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.

TechWomen works to empower women and girls through STEM. It connects and supports the next generation of women in STEM by providing them the access and opportunity needed to pursue careers in science and technology.

The TechWomen program will occur over five weeks in September and October 2025. The program will include project-based mentorships, workshops and targeted meetings in the San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago, as well as special events and activities in Washington, D.C.

TechWomen Emerging Leaders Program Benefits

Covered Costs

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.

TechWomen Emerging Leaders Program Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Have at minimum, two years 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. Please note that internships and other unpaid work experience does 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.