American Councils has signed on to support a master’s degree fellowship for Albanian professionals, the sponsoring organizations announced on Saturday. The Master’s and Internship Program, first established by Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF) in 2016, is a merit-based opportunity for Albanians to earn master’s level degrees at accredited US universities. The fellowship is open to Albanian residents who are expected to demonstrate professional aptitude and leadership potential in the following areas of specialization:
- Business Administration and Management
- Cultural Heritage
- Eco-Tourism and Hospitality
- Education
- Information Technology and Computer Science
- Public Administration
- Public Policy
The fellows will commit to return to Albania for at least two years upon graduation from the program.
“AADF is taking the lead to support the education and training of Albania's future workforce—which fuels growth of the country itself. American Councils is extremely pleased to be an implementing partner in the MIP program,” says Dr. David Patton, executive vice president at American Councils for International Education.
American Councils will assist in selection and placement of fellows in US universities and colleges and monitor their academic progress.
In Saturday’s announcement, The Biberaj Foundation, a nonprofit based in New York, presented a $2.5 million donation to further support the program.
Applications for the program must be submitted by July 31. For more information and the full eligibility requirements, visit our program page.
About the Albanian-American Development Foundation
The Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF) was created in 2009 by the Albanian-American Enterprise Fund with the support and encouragement of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United States government.
The AADF is a not-for-profit corporation governed by a board of trustees, which operates entirely in Albania. AADF directs the following programs: education for sustainable development; entrepreneurship; leadership development; cultural heritage and eco-tourism. Furthering the mission of AADF – to facilitate the development of a sustainable economy and a democratic society in Albania – the MIP fellowship is designed for young and mid-career professionals who are committed to meet the challenges of the future, contributing back to Albania the development of these fields. Additional information is available on AADF's website.
About The Biberaj Foundation
The Biberaj Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, provides educational opportunities for qualified students of Albanian descent living in the Balkans to receive scholarship assistance for study in undergraduate and graduate programs leading to a degree at United States colleges and universities.