The U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs in Jerusalem, along with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), has announced the TechWomen 2023 program. This initiative is a professional exchange aimed at advancing the status of women and girls globally by promoting development in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields.
Approximately 110 professional women from 21 countries across North Africa, the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South and Central Asia will participate in this program. The participants will travel to the United States in September 2023 for an intensive exchange focused on science and technology collaboration. They can choose from six tracks: information technology, green technology, science, internet, biotechnology, or telecommunications.
The U.S.-based exchange will last five weeks during September and October 2023. It begins with hybrid workshops on leadership skills, innovation, and design thinking. This is followed by individual 15-day mentorship fellowships at leading companies in Silicon Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Chicago. Participants will work as teams with Impact Coaches to create action plans addressing socioeconomic challenges in their communities. These projects will be pitched in a competition where winners receive seed funding.
Participants must meet specific qualifications such as being Palestinian residents of Jerusalem, the West Bank or Gaza; having at least two years of full-time professional experience in STEM fields; holding a bachelor's degree or equivalent; proficiency in English; among other criteria.
Applications are available online until January 13, 2023. More information can be obtained through specified contact details for applicants from Jerusalem/West Bank and Gaza.
Participation requires qualifying for a J-1 visa to travel to the United States. Holders of U.S. passports or green cards are not eligible.
For emergency assistance related to U.S citizens or their families within Israel or outside it concerning emergencies involving travel documents or proof of relationship issues should contact respective numbers provided for U.S Embassy Jerusalem or Branch Office Tel Aviv accordingly.