Eisenhower Fellowships Facts

Mission

Eisenhower Fellowships engages emerging leaders from around the world to enhance their professional capabilities, broaden their contacts, deepen their perspectives, and unite them in a diverse, global community—a network where dialogue, understanding, and collaboration lead to a more prosperous, just, and peaceful world.

History

Eisenhower Fellowships was founded in 1953 as a tribute to Dwight D. Eisenhower as he assumed the U.S. presidency. Its purpose and design reflect his conviction that greater understanding among individuals fosters greater understanding among nations and contributes to peace and progress for all. For more about the organization's history, please see the Eisenhower Fellowships History.

Programs

Eisenhower Fellowships brings to the United States up to 25 Fellows from as many countries each spring and approximately 20–25 in a regional or common interest program each fall. Fellows are chosen for their leadership achievements and potential to make an impact in the future. They follow individualized two-month programs that take them to 8-10 cities for 60–80 meetings with U.S. leaders in their respective fields.

Eisenhower Fellowships’ USA Program typically sends up to a dozen Fellows abroad each year from the greater Philadelphia and St. Louis metropolitan regions, the Research Triangle area of North Carolina, and New England. One Fellow per year is also selected for the Agricultural Fellowship, the only fellowship currently available nationwide.

Eisenhower Fellowships designs its programs to give participants professional insights and contacts, a broadened international and cross-cultural perspective, and a lifelong network of colleagues and friends from their program group, their respective country Fellow association, and the worldwide Eisenhower network.

Impact

Over 1,700 men and women from over 100 countries have joined the ranks of Eisenhower Fellows since 1953. They include four heads of government and over 100 in positions of influence at cabinet level or higher. Hundreds of other alumni have led major corporations, NGOs, and academic institutions, or served as legislators, judges, ambassadors, and noted journalists. They regularly consult with other Fellows and members of the Eisenhower network.

Support

Funds come primarily from globally active corporations that value Eisenhower Fellows’ perspectives on trends and conditions. Individual contributions, program-focused foundation grants, and a limited draw on interest and earnings from a $41 million endowment round out EF’s $4.7 million annual operating budget. Approximately 80% of the endowment reflects private contributions; the remainder is a Trust Fund established by Congress in 1992.

Leadership

General Colin L. Powell, USA (Retired) assumed the chairmanship of Eisenhower Fellowships from Dr. Henry A. Kissinger in 2006.  John S. Wolf, former U.S. assistant secretary of state, serves as Eisenhower Fellowships’ president.