faq

1. Q: I am not sure I am eligible for the program.
A: Please review the eligibility and selection criteria. This program is aimed at mid-career practitioners working actively as policy-makers, legal professionals, social entrepreneurs, business entrepreneurs, and leaders of civil society organizations.

1. Candidates should hold Ukrainian citizenship and must reside in the country, and have plans to return to Ukraine after the fellowship.

2. Candidates must be at least 28 years of age at the start of the fellowship program.

3. Candidates should have demonstrated professional and personal achievements in a relevant sector of democracy, development, and the rule of law.                 

4. Candidates must have at least five years of experience to qualify for the fellowship. Those with more experience are much more competitive in the selection process.       

5. We strive to recruit a diverse group of four individuals who are at the right stage in their professional trajectory to benefit from rigorous academic training and mentorship. Successful applicants will have academic credentials necessary to participate in academic courses offered at Stanford University. A bachelor's degree at the time of participation in the program is a requirement for admission to the program. We do not accept candidates who are in the midst of full-time university degree programs.

6. A working knowledge of English is an important prerequisite. It is expected that each fellow have a solid command of written and spoken English to fully benefit and participate in the program.

All applicants must be prepared to commit themselves to the fellowship rather than to regular professional work. If selected, your full-time job is to be a Stanford fellow. We require fellows to take leave from their regular jobs, whether they be in the nonprofit or government sectors, to devote their energy to the fellowship.

2. Q: How do I access the application portal?
A. Visit: https://app.wizehive.com/appform/login/uelp2017

3. Q: What are the dates for the program?
A: Sunday, September 17, 2017 - Friday, June 24, 2018

4. Q: What if I cannot attend the entire length of the program?
A: It is required that all fellows attend for the entire duration of the program. All applicants must be prepared to commit themselves to the fellowship rather than to regular professional work. If selected, your full-time job is to be a Stanford fellow. We require fellows to take leave from their regular jobs, whether they be in the nonprofit or government sectors, to devote their energy to the fellowship.

5. Q: What are the deadlines for the application process?
A: The application form is due by Wednesday, February 15, 2017. Three letters of recommendation must be received by Wednesday, March 1, 2017.

6. Q: I have unreliable or inconsistent Internet access in my home country and cannot submit an electronic application. Would it be possible to submit a paper application?
A: Yes. If you send us a fax number, we are happy to fax you a hard copy of the form. We are unfortunately unable to receive and send hard copies of the applications by mail. You can contact us at emergingleaders@stanford.edu to make this inquiry. 

7. Q: I submitted my application form, but still have not heard back from the program. 
A: Due to the high volume of applications received by the program and the review process, applicants will be informed of their selection to the program by April 2017. 

8. Q: I submitted my application form, but want to make a change. Can I re-access it through the system?
A: It is not possible to draw up the application form to edit or revise. It is very important that you make sure your application form is complete to your liking before submitting it in the system. 

9. Q: I was typing into the application form, and it cut me off mid-sentence. What is the problem?
A: Our application system has a word count limit and will track your word count for you on the form. It is important that applicants be concise in answering questions, so please focus on the most important points that you want to convey. 

10. Q: I was not accepted to the program. Will I find out why?
A: Due to the high volume of applications received, the program will not be able to follow up with each individual applicant concerning their application. 

11. Q: Can I reapply to the program next year if I was not accepted this year?
A: Yes, you can re-apply provided you meet the core criteria. Many applicants decide to re-apply once they have gained more professional experience and can benefit and contribute more fully to the program. The ideal candidate has over five years of professional experience in a relevant sector of democracy, development, and the rule of law. 

12. Q: My CV is longer than three pages, will the system accept it?
A: Your CV should be no longer than three pages in length and contain the information outlined in the Resume/Curriculum Vitae section of the application and guidelines. The program team will not review CVs longer than three pages in length. They must be uploaded as an MS Document (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). All other file types will not be accepted. 

13. Q: How do I know if my letters of recommendation have been submitted?
A: The system will send you an email message when your letters of recommendation have been submitted to the application system. It is also your responsibility to check the status of your letters of recommendation through the application portal and follow up with your recommenders directly about the Wednesday, March 1, 2017, deadline. 

If a letter of recommendation has been uploaded to the system you will see a note in the "Status" field that reads: “Your letter of recommendation has been received from this recommender and is complete. No further action for the applicant is required at this time." If a letter of recommendation has not been uploaded to the system you will see the following note in the "Status" field: "This person has been contacted, but no letter of recommendation has been received as of today."

14. Q: Who should write letters of recommendation on my behalf?
A: You must request a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor at your institution of employment. If you are the founder or head of that respective institution, then it is suggested that you ask a board member or senior advisor to the organization to draft the letter on your behalf. If you are currently unemployed or between jobs, then it is suggested that you ask your previous supervisor for a letter of recommendation.
We will not accept letters of recommendation from your family or friends and will require each recommender to state their relationship to the candidate. The strongest letters of recommendation are from those who can comment on your professional contributions to the field of democracy, development, and the rule of law. 

15. Q: How will I know when my application is complete and ready to be reviewed by the committee?
A: The system will send you an email message when your application file is complete. It is the applicant's responsibility to follow up with their recommenders. If three letters of recommendation are not submitted, your application cannot be judged complete. 

16. Q: When will I find out if my application was successful?
A: We will inform applicants of the status of their application by April 2017. Please do not follow-up with the program team before that time concerning the status of your application. 

17. Q: I would like to bring my family with me to Stanford. Will the program accommodate them?
A: Yes. In addition to the $70,000 stipend that will be awarded to fellows for the ten-month program, they will receive support for books, relocation expenses, and the cost of visa fees and travel to and from Ukraine for themselves and their immediate family (spouse and children).

Click here to read the application guidelines.

If you have any questions that have not been addressed, please contact emergingleaders@stanford.edu.