2015 Atlas Corps Fellowship Program in USA & Latin America

2015 Atlas Corps Fellowship Program: Atlas Corps is an international network of nonprofit leaders and organizations that promotes innovation, cooperation, and solutions to address the world's 21st century challenges. Atlas Corps' mission is to address critical social issues by developing leaders, strengthening organizations, and promoting innovation through an overseas fellowship of skilled nonprofit professionals.

Profiled as a "best practice" in international exchange by the Brookings Institution and
featured in the Washington Post as a model social entrepreneurship program, Atlas Corps engages leaders committed to the nonprofit sector in 12 to 18 month, professional fellowships at organizations to learn best practices, build organizational capacity, and return home to create a network of global changemakers.

The Atlas Corps Fellowship is a 6 to 18 month professional fellowship offered three times a year for professionals from around the world. Fellows serve full-time at Host Organizations located either in the United States or Latin America working on issues that complement their expertise. Fellows develop their leadership skills while sharing best practices and supplement daily knowledge with theoretical topics presented in the Atlas Corps Global Leadership Lab.

This prestigious fellowship includes health insurance, enrollment in Atlas Corps Global Leadership Lab, flight and visa costs, and a living stipend to cover basic expenses (food, local transportation, and shared housing).

Eligibility for the Atlas Corps Fellowship

• 2 or more years of relevant experience in the nonprofit/NGO/social sector
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent
• English proficiency (oral, writing, reading)
• 35 years or younger
• Apply to serve in a country other than where you are from (U.S. citizens are not eligible for the U.S. Fellowship – check out our Fellowship in Colombia!)
• Commitment to return to your home country after the 6-18 month fellowship

In addition to the classic Atlas Corps Fellowship, a series of unique initiatives complement the diverse nature of our global exchange model. 

These special initiatives may have separate eligibility requirements for USA and for Latin America, but do NOT require a separate application. 

Timeline

We consider applications on a rolling basis. You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to be considered for one of our classes that begins in January, May, or September. Final decisions are made 4 -8 weeks before the class begins. For example, the January class decisions are made in November; May class decisions will be made in March; September class decisions will be made in July. You may reapply to our program, but you should only apply once a year, unless there is a dramatic change in your application, such as completing graduate school, winning an award, etc. Strong applications are considered for multiple classes unless the candidate withdraws their application. 

If you are accepted to the Fellowship, there may be a quick turnaround time between your acceptance and the beginning of the Fellowship. Start dates are not flexible, and assuming your visa is approved, you must begin your Fellowship with the class to which you are accepted.

The application process is a four-month cycle that repeats itself. You may apply at any time and be considered, but we encourage you to spend some time on your application, including having it be reviewed by a peer, and then submit it as early as possible and not wait for any deadlines. Here is the approximate annual calendar:

January Fellowship:
July 15 - Priority deadline for the January Fellowship. Applications are taken year round, but earlier applications tend to be more successful.
July 15 - October 15: English Tests and Interviews conducted.
November 1-30: Most final decisions made this month.
January, First Week: Orientation to Fellowship
January, Second Week: Fellows' first day at Host Organizations

May Fellowship:
November 8 - Priority deadline for the May Fellowship. Applications are taken year round, but earlier applications tend to be more successful.
November 8 - February 28: English tests and interviews for applicants
March 1-31: Most final decisions made by this month
May, First Week: Orientation to Fellowship
May, Second Week: Fellows' first day at Host Organizations

September Fellowship:
March 22 - Priority deadline for the September Fellowship. Applications are taken year round, but earlier applications tend to be more successful.
March 22 - June 30: English Tests and Interviews conducted
July 1-31: Most final decisions made by this month
September, First Week: Orientation Week
September, Second Week: Fellows' first day at Host Organizations

Application Process:

1. Online Application: All applications need to be submitted online. We will not accept applications via email or mail. You will need to create a login and you can save your responses so you can return to the application at any time. The application consists of background information, personal biography, essays, and letters of recommendation.

NOTE: In order to sponsor candidates to come to the United States for one year as a Fellow, we require detailed information about each applicant. The U.S. Government requires much of the information we are asking for in the application. Your responses also facilitate your Host Organization placement. Please answer each question honestly and accurately. It is critical to be honest and complete in your application. If you are found to be dishonest in the application, you will NOT be accepted as a Fellow and you will be sent home if you have been accepted.

2. Letters of Recommendation: Atlas Corps requires two (up to three) letters of recommendation from individuals who know you in a professional capacity and can write about your skills and experiences as well as your potential for success as an Atlas Corps Fellow. You will need to send your request for a letter of recommendation directly through the application system. Your recommender will receive an email that asks for a recommendation. More detailed instructions can be found in the online application form. Recommendation letters should be submitted within two weeks after submitting your application.

3. Review Process: Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee including Atlas Corps staff and nonprofit sector, government, and business leaders from multiple countries. English writing tests and phone interviews will be conducted with semi-finalists. Host Organizations will conduct Skype video interviews with selected finalists. Host Organizations will make their final recommendations to Atlas Corps, and Atlas Corps will notify the selected candidates.

4. Visa Process: After being selected, candidates will go to the U.S. Embassy in their respective countries to apply for a J-1 visa. Atlas Corps will provide support in obtaining this visa.

For more information on application details and to apply, follow this link  to visit the official page for Atlas Corps Fellowship.

To apply for Atlas Corps Fellowship USA, Follow this link for more details

To apply for Atlas Corps Fellowship for Latin America, Follow this link for more details