The 2008 Emerging Leaders International Fellows are (back to front; left to right): Odgerel Byamba, Mongolia; Eleftheria Petridou, Cyprus; Betania Gonçalves da Silva, Brazil; Anna Kletsina, Russia; Alejandra Gómez, Ecuador; Mahi Khallaf, Egypt; Deborah Bolognesi, Italy; Bahia Akerele, Nigeria/USA.

The Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society's Emerging Leaders International Fellows Program provides leadership training through applied research and professional mentorships for young scholar-practitioners in the nonprofit sector. The program is open to scholars and practitioners interested in building Third-Sector capacity in the United States and overseas. This year's Fellows will be selected from abroad and also from communities of color under-represented in the U.S. grantmaking sector. Fellows are based at The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, where they design and pursue an individualized research project and participate in a seminar with Third-Sector leaders. Specific topical areas are chosen each year.

The research topic for applicants to the 2009 Emerging Leaders Program, including the program’s Diversity Fellowship, is community foundations. A limited number of fellowships for research on diaspora or corporate philanthropy are also available for applicants based outside the United States only.

Please note that due to a high volume of applications received, research proposals that address topics other than community foundations, diaspora philanthropy, and corporate philanthropy will not be considered.

Fellows will participate in a 3-month seminar (Monday March 2 to Friday May 29, 2009) on the U.S. and international voluntary sectors. Fellows are expected to produce a 25-page research paper on their findings, which will be presented in the seminar. They will learn about the work of key agencies and meet with foundation and nonprofit representatives. They will also attend selected workshops or conferences.

Each fellowship covers the cost of tuition and includes a $1,300-per month stipend (taxable) to cover living and research-related expenses. In addition, the Center will also provide single-room dormitory accommodations with shared facilities at International House (adjacent to Columbia University), as well as economy round-trip air travel to and from New York City.

Tuition-based appointments may also be made, pending approval by the selection committee. Tuition information is available upon request.

Special thanks to the following donors for their support of the 2008 Fellows: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Compagnia di San Paolo, Education for Democracy Foundation (Poland), U.S. Embassy's Bicommunal Support Program in Cyprus, and individual donors.