TechWomen brings emerging women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East together with their professional counterparts in the United States for a mentorship and exchange program. TechWomen provides participants access to networks, resources, and knowledge to empower them to reach their full potential.
During the five-week program, participants engage in project-based mentorships at leading companies in the San Francisco Bay Area or Chicago, participate in professional development workshops and networking events, and travel to Washington, DC, for targeted meetings and special events to conclude the program.
Benefits:
The following costs are covered by the TechWomen program:
- Roundtrip international airfare from participant’s home country to the United States
- Domestic airfare from San Francisco or Chicago to Washington, D.C.
- Housing in San Francisco, Sunnyvale, California, Emeryville, 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.
Eligibility:
- Be women with, at minimum, two years of 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, a four-year university degree, or an 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.
- I have not 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.
- They are committed to returning 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.
Housing:
TechWomen participants will be housed in San Francisco, Sunnyvale, California, Emeryville, California, or Chicago, Illinois, depending on the location of the participant’s host company. Participants will share an apartment with a fellow emerging leader. Each participant will have her own private bedroom, while the living room and kitchen will be shared.
TechWomen 2024 Timeline:
- The 2024 TechWomen application is now open and will close on January 10, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. PST (GMT 08:00).
- Applicants will be notified of the status of their application (non-select or semi-finalist) no later than April 30, 2024.
- Final decisions will be made no later than May 31, 2024.
- All applicants will be notified of the results of their application.
