Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about the Fellowship
Can I apply to become a Fellow?
When is the deadline?
When does the program begin?
When does the program end?
Why 2-10 years of experience?
What does the Fellowship provide?
How do you determine the living stipend?
What does the stipend cover?
What kind of visa do I get?
Can I bring my family with me?
After the Fellowship, do I have to return to my home country?

Can I apply to become a Fellow?
You can apply to become a Fellow if you meet the following minimum requirements:

• 2 or more years of relevant experience in the nonprofit/NGO/social sector
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent
• English Proficiency (oral, writing, reading)
• 35 or younger
• Applying to volunteer in a country other than where you are from
• Commitment to return to your home country after the 12-18 month fellowship.

When is the deadline?
Apply to U.S.: Atlas Corps considers applications on a rolling basis. Apply by January 29th to be considered for the June 2012 class, and apply by April 15 to be considered for our September 2012 class. Finalists from previous application cycles may be considered for the upcoming classes. Classes in 2012 begin in March, June, and September, while classes in 2013 will begin in January, May, and September.
Apply to Colombia: Applications will be accepted year round.

When does the program begin?
The Fellowship begins in early March, early June, and early September with a one-week orientation program, followed by 50 weeks at your Host Organization. Fellowships may be extended by their Host Organization for up to six months.

When does the program end?
The Fellowship ends 12 months after it begins. Fellows must return to their home countries immediately after the program ends.

Why 2-10 years of experience?
Atlas Corps is dedicated to providing rising nonprofit leaders with opportunities to obtain additional skills those leaders will require to have an even greater impact. Atlas Corps does not want to take Executive Directors of organizations away from the important work they are doing and does not want to recruit students to participate in this program since they may not have enough relevant experience to share with organizations.

What does the Fellowship provide?
Fellows - but not their dependents - receive:

• Program-related international travel
• Program-related domestic travel
• Basic health insurance
• Monthly stipend for basic living expenses (housing, food, transportation)
• Documentation (DS-2019) which enables the Fellow to obtain a J-1 visa.

How do you determine the living stipend?
The living stipend is a fixed amount for all Fellows based off what U.S. citizens receive in service programs such as AmeriCorps VISTA. This opportunity is intended to be a full-time volunteer experience. The Atlas Corps Fellowship is not a full-time employment experience and therefore is not compensated with a salary. The stipend varies from city to city based off the cost of living. Here are the annual stipends in various cities:

• Washington, DC: $15,636
• New York: $16,095
• Atlanta: $13,093
• Minneapolis: $12,544
• San Francisco / Oakland: $20,491
• Bogota, Colombia: 12,000,000 COP

What does the stipend cover?
The idea is that the living stipend will cover the basic expenses of housing, food, and transportation. Fellows will likely need to bring a little extra spending cash for personal items, such as clothing, or for personal travel and entertainment. We recommend Fellows have a little money saved for emergencies. Monthly budgets vary from city to city, but the monthly living budget for a Fellow in Washington, DC is as follows:

• Rent & Utilities: $760
• Transportation: $200
• Food: $343
• Total $1,303/month

What kind of visa do I get?
Atlas Corps provides documentation to secure a J-1, Exchange Visitor visa (trainee designation).

Can I bring my family with me?
Atlas Corps discourages Fellows from bringing family members with them to the United States. Family members may visit the Fellow provided it does not interfere with work and fellowship responsibilities. Family members should not travel to the United States until the Fellow is well established in the Host organization. Atlas Corps does not provide financial support for spouses or other family members. The Fellow is responsible for all costs incurred for and by family members.

After the Fellowship, do I have to return to my home country?
Yes, one of the primary goals of Atlas Corps is to facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices between U.S. nonprofits and nonprofits in other countries. This exchange is completed once a Fellow returns home and is able to share and apply what he or she has learned.