DUSHANBE, September 10, 2014, Asia-Plus -- The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe announces recruitment for the 2015-2016 Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX).

The FLEX program provides scholarships to secondary school students from the countries of Eurasia to travel to the United States for an academic year.  FLEX is fully funded by the U.S. Government and administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State. Recruitment, selection, orientation, and travel arrangements for the program are organized by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS.

Now in its twenty-third year, the FLEX academic year program has provided scholarships to more than 23,000 secondary school students.  Each scholarship recipient will live for one year as a member of a U.S. host family and study in an American high school.  In 2014-15, more than 900 students will be studying in the U.S. on the FLEX program, including approximately 20 students with disabilities.  This year, 26 students from Tajikistan will study in the U.S. on the FLEX program.

Secondary school students from Tajikistan are invited to participate in an open competition for FLEX scholarships for the 2015-2016 academic year.

FLEX scholarships are awarded by an independent panel of American professionals in education and international relations. Selection will be based on merit as evidenced in a comprehensive application; teacher reference; and demonstrated preparedness for a year-long exchange experience.  FLEX scholarship recipients must return to Tajikistan after their academic year.

To be eligible for the FLEX program, applicants must: be citizens of Tajikistan; be currently enrolled in 11th grade; be born after January 1, 1997 (March 15, 1996 for students with disabilities) and before July 15, 1999; meet U.S. visa eligibility requirements; and have an academic standing of “good” or better.

Representatives from American Councils will visit regional centers in Tajikistan to conduct testing this fall.  All eligible students are invited to take part in Round One.  Students who pass Round One (a short English test) will be invited to Round Two, for a written essay.  Only applicants who pass Round Two will receive application materials, will be interviewed and will have a comprehensive English test.

Secondary school students with disabilities are strongly encouraged to participate in the competition. Selected students with disabilities meet the same criteria as other participants in the program.