The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) and Atlas Corps, with the support from the National Endowment for Democracy, have launched the new Think Tank LINKS (Leaders, Innovators, and Knowledge Sharing) Fellowship. This innovative program is an opportunity for talented young professionals from developing countries with strong research backgrounds to shadow leading U.S. think tanks for six months and conduct research in issues of democratic or economic reforms.

The inaugural class will take place January through June 2013 in Washington, DC.

Interested in developing your research and leadership skills?
Learn more about becoming a Think Tank LINKS Fellow!

Interested in hosting talented young professionals from around the world?
Learn more about hosting a Think Tank LINKS Fellow!

2013 Think Tank LINKS Fellows

In 2013, CIPE and Atlas Corps welcome three fellows and three host think tanks for the inaugural class.

Cato Institute - Maksim Karliuk from the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Studies (Belarus) will work
closely with a senior fellow at Cato on regulatory and fiscal issues in Eastern Europe.

Heritage Foundation - Sergio Daga from the Políticas Públicas para la Libertad (Bolivia) will conduct
research for the Index of Economic Freedom.
Blog Post: Driving Economic Growth in Bolivia: Institutions and Productivity

Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) - Sally Roshdy from the One World Foundation (Egypt)
will work closely with the advocacy and partnership teams to help expand POMED's initiatives in Egypt,
Tunisia, and Libya.

Become a Think Tank LINKS Fellow!

Responsibilities of Think Tank LINKS Fellows:

• Conduct research on a topic that relates to democratic or economic reforms.
• Produce research results that meet the thematic and quality criteria set by CIPE, Atlas Corps, and the host think tank.
• Contribute to CIPE's Development Blog (www.cipe.org/blog) to highlight key findings.
• Participate in Atlas Corps Nonprofit Management Series training sessions.
• Attend orientation, roundtable discussions, and other activities as required by CIPE, Atlas Corps, and the Host Think Tank.
• Return to home country after the Fellowship.
• Once selected, pay a USD$250 participation fee, which will be returned upon successful completion of the fellowship.

Eligibility:

CIPE and Atlas Corps are looking for qualified candidates who have:

• Demonstrated research background relating to issues of democracy and/or economic reform.
• Bachelors degree or higher, preferably in Economics, Public Policy, Finance, or a related field.
• At least two (2) years of professional experiences with proven record of research-based work.
• Proficiency in English (both in writing and speaking).
• Age 35 or younger.
• Current work for a think tank, policy research institution, or a similar organization.

After the initial screening by CIPE and Atlas Corps, top applicants will be interviewed and selected by the respective Host Think Tank staff. Preference will be given to non-OECD applicants.

Click here to read more about the application process, and the benefits and responsibilities of becoming a Fellow. Deadline is August 15.

Host a Think Tank LINKS Fellow!

Benefits to Host Organization:

• Receive full-time, experienced, and bilingual/multilingual professional engaged in research activities relating to democratic or economic reform.
• Benefit from a professional (Fellow) who has insider knowledge and research of what's happening at the local level in respective countries.
• Build organizational capacity with an international professional for less than the cost of an entry-level employee. With the cost-share model, Host Organizations only contribute $5,000 to receive a Fellow, which covers approximately 20% of the total Fellow cost. This program is funded with generous support from the National Endowment for Democracy and other sources.
• Be listed as a "pilot" Host Organization in this new initiative on both CIPE and Atlas Corps communication channels.
• Join the Atlas Corps network, which includes more than 50 organizations and 130 Fellows from 35 countries. Activities include networking events, professional development activities, and cross-promotion opportunities.
• Receive "priority Host Organization" status if decide to host a standard Atlas Corps Fellow (12 to 18 months), which includes cost share discount and advanced application review.