Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

OFFICE OF ACADEMIC EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
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Alumni Programs

Mission of ECA Alumni Programs
Alumni programs are designed to promote mutual understanding, foster democracy, support economic development, advance higher education through research and teacher training, and increase access to knowledge and information. Alumni programs foster interaction among alumni, their colleagues, and their U.S. hosts and address community needs.

ECA alumni include former participants from the following programs:

• Edmund S. Muskie Graduate (and PhD) Fellowship Program (Muskie), formerly the FSA/Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program, 1992-Present
• Global Undergraduate Exchange Program formerly the Eurasian Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD) and the FSA Undergraduate Exchange Program, 1992-Present
• Junior Faculty Development Program (JFDP), 1993 - Present
• U.S.-Russia Experts Forum (Forum), 2005-Present
• Partnership for Learning Undergraduate Program (P4L Undergraduate Program), 2004-2006*
• Contemporary Issues Fellowship (CI), 1992 - 2004*
• Bosnia and Herzegovina Undergraduate Development Program (BUDP), 1997-2004*
• Regional Scholar Exchange Program (RSEP), 1992 -1997*
• Ron Brown Fellowship Program (Ron Brown), 1992-2005*
• Russian Young Leadership Fellows for Public Service Program (YLF), formerly the Russia U.S. Young Leadership Fellows Program, 1998 -2004*

*Closed Programs. Please click here for more information.

Overview of Alumni Activities
U.S. Government sponsored exchange alumni are eligible to take part in various conferences and training activities supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Alumni also have the opportunity to apply for small grants through the implementing organizations. Alumni and American Centers have been established throughout Eurasia to provide Internet and computer access, research materials and meeting space for alumni events. Public Affairs Sections at U.S. Embassies regularly sponsor programs for alumni and support individual alumni efforts.

Opportunities for ECA Alumni

• Monthly seminars
• Regional conferences
• Job Fairs
• Reentry workshops for returned students
• Reunions
• Access to Internet sites
• Alumni mentoring projects
• Small grants
• Alumni resources and American centers
• Publications
• Associations

Closed Programs:

The Partnership for Learning Undergraduate Program (P4L Undergraduate Program), 2004-2006, provided scholarships to citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, and Serbia for one academic year of non-degree academic study in the United States.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Undergraduate Development Program (BUDP), 1997-2004, granted scholarships for one academic year of undergraduate study in the US to students from Bosnia and Herzegovina in the fields of agriculture, American studies, business, communications/journalism, criminal justice, economics, environmental management and political science. Participants’ experiences were enhanced by community service, summer internship, and an end-of-year workshop. American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS received a grant to administer the program.
: : There are approximately 90 BUDP alumni in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Contemporary Issues Fellowship Program (CI), 1992-2004, was a program for government officials, NGO leaders, and other professionals from Eurasia and engaged in the political, economic, social and educational transformation of their countries who received fellowships to conduct research at U.S. universities, think tanks, NGO’s or U.S. Government offices. Fellows' research help to advance the transition to democracy, free markets and the building of a civil society in their countries. Fellowships were for a duration of four months, and included a one-month optional internship. Fellows were matched with U.S. host advisors who guide their research, writing, professional development and advocacy skills. The International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) received a grant to administer the program.
: : There are approximately 700 CI alumni across Eurasia.

Ron Brown Fellowship Program (Ron Brown), 1992-2005, offered fellowships for graduate study at the Master's degree-level in the U.S. for students and professionals from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Kosovo, Lithuania, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, and Slovenia. Candidates were recruited by Fulbright Commissions and/or Public Affairs Sections of the U.S. Embassy. In the U.S., the program was administered by the Institute for International Education (IIE).
: : There are approximately 500 Ron Brown alumni in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Kosovo, Lithuania, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, and Slovenia.

Russian Young Leadership Fellows for Public Service Program (YLF), 1998-2004, was an academic exchange program for outstanding Russian college graduates who demonstrated leadership skills and an interest in public service. The program provided one year of intensive academic and professional training. Students selected a concentration in community affairs, governmental affairs or corporate affairs. The International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) received a grant to administer the program.
: :There are approximately 300 alumni in Russia and the United States.

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