The Department of Energy is a sponsor of the International Visitor Leadership Program operates under authority of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Fulbright-Hays Act). The emphasis of the program is to increase mutual understanding through communication at the personal and professional levels.

The International Visitor Leadership Program brings participants to the United States from all over the world each year to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience the U.S. firsthand. The visitors, who are current or potential leaders in government, politics, the media, education, and other fields, are selected by American Officials overseas. More than 200 current and former Heads of State, 1,500 cabinet-level ministers, and many other distinguished world leaders in government and the private sector have participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program.

Participants in this program come to the United States on J-1 Visa at the invitation of the Department of State.  Senior executives and management officials in DOE Program Offices host the visits of these potential leaders when they come to DOE facilities.

The Department of State directs the program in cooperation with a wide range of non-profit organizations operating under cooperative agreements with the Department of State. The program also relies on the commitment and skills of over 95 community-based organizations across the country. They represent a wide range of institutions and expertise from universities to World Affairs Councils to all-volunteer organizations.

International Visitor Leadership Program:  http://exchanges.state.gov/education/ivp