TechWomen is mobilizing women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) across Africa. TechWowen for Emerging Leaders targets the burgeoning generation of women leaders in STEM.

TechWomen builds networks and opportunities for Emerging Women Leaders and offers mentorship and resources to help them pursue their dreams, advance their careers, and realize their full potential.

The Journey

The Emerging Leaders will be harbored in the future-forward and constantly evolving culture of Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay.

The Emerging Leaders will be assigned mentors who will host them in their company and work closely with them four days per week for four weeks. The mentors will immerse, supervise and give them professional guidance and support as they participate in enriching activities like tech talks, networking events, seminars, and workshops.

TechWomen Emerging Leaders will:

• Challenge themselves with new questions and concepts.
• Collaborate with like-minded women in their fields on an innovative project.
• Network with influential industry leaders.
• Discover their innovative leadership style.
• Create meaningful friendships with women from all over the world.
• Explore the diverse communities of the San Francisco Bay Area and Washington, D.C.
• Inspire the next generation of women and girls in their home countries.

Benefits 

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 to Washington, D.C.
• Housing in San Francisco or Sunnyvale, California 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 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.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be women with, at minimum, two years full-time professional experience in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. Please note that internships and other unpaid work experience do not count toward the two-year professional experience requirement.
• Have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree/four-year university degree or equivalent.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Be citizens and permanent residents of 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 at the time of application and while participating in the program.
• 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:

• 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 girls.
• 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.

Application closes on 09:00 AM PST (GMT-08:00), Wednesday, January 5, 2022.

Apply here