The Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI), a dynamic, youth-based fellowship programme launched in late 2011 by the US Consulate General, Lagos, is now accepting applications for its 2013 programme year.
CYFI is a yearlong programme in which outstanding young Nigerians are selected as fellows and grouped into teams to design and implement a project with a social impact. The US Consulate General, Lagos, provides selected fellows with financial support for their projects, networking opportunities, and a transportation stipend. In addition, fellows meet other like-minded youth and build a closer relationship with the Consulate.
In its inaugural year, 15 CYFI fellows were selected and grouped into five project teams, with projects focusing on education, vocational training, human rights awareness, health, and university volunteerism.
The CYFI board of directors, in conjunction with the Public Affairs Section at the US Consulate General, Lagos, will select fellows who demonstrate exceptional vision, skills and experience. Prospective fellows may apply as individuals or together, as a team of up to three.
Prospective fellows should note that there are several steps to the application process, and that incomplete applications will not be accepted. All projects must be held in Lagos.
What are the benefits of being a CYFI fellow?
- Implement concrete, youth-oriented solutions to issues that concern you
- Access U.S. Government resources and contacts
- Catch the attention of American and Nigerian leaders in the public and private sectors
- Work alongside talented and motivated peers with diverse backgrounds, but similar visions
- Participate in CYFI Alumni Program
- Complete a project with a social impact as part of project team
- Attend monthly project status meetings with CYFI Board of Directors
- Participate in roundtables, networking events, and teambuilding events
- Prospective fellows should note that all meetings and groupwork for CYFI project will be conducted in Lagos State. Fellows who live outside of the greater Lagos metropolitan area and are unable to attend frequent meetings with their project teams and monthly meetings with the CYFI Board, in Lagos, will not be considered for the fellowship.
Applicants who apply as individuals will complete and submit the Standard Application Form online (text of link:https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SFDR8JK) and the “Hypothetical Scenario Essay.”
Find instructions for the Group Project Proposal here (text of link: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B6T9EBWuP9l4TGZjenRaUjY5dlE).
Groups can consist of two or three applicants.
Each group will submit one proposal via e-mail to carringtonfellows@gmail.com and each applicant will submit his or her own Standard Application Form. Groups selected for the fellowship will likely have to substantially revise their project proposals upon joining CYFI.
Group applicants do not have to answer the Hypothetical Scenario Essay. Note again that all projects must take place in Lagos state.
Here is an example of a Group Project Proposal: Build a Village proposal