Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for CYFI?
Please refer to the section of this website.


What is the duration of the CYFI program?

CYFI is a one-year fellowship.

Can CYFI give grants or funding to my preexisting project or organization?

While CYFI is a program that supports youth leadership and projects with a social impact, CYFI is a fellowship program, not simply an organization or NGO that gives grants. CYFI fellows are put into teams (or, for CYFI 2013, can apply and join as a team), and each team works collectively to design and implement a project with a social impact. Though some of these projects do indeed dovetail with existing projects and organizations that the fellows are involved in outside of CYFI (and CYFI is not opposed to that), the CYFI project is intended to be a team effort, and an original effort. CYFI is meant to bring like-minded young leaders together.

What are the benefits of being a CYFI fellow?

• Im plement 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

What are CYFI projects?

• Teams of 2-4 fellows submit project proposals to the CYFI Board
• Projects should be achievable in scope and address a current issue in Nigeria
• The CYFI Board supports fellows by working to connect them with resources and contacts
• Fellows work on their own time to implement projects
• Projects and fellows are celebrated at an end of year recognition ceremony for fellows
• All projects for CYFI 2013 must be carried out in Lagos State

What is expected from a CYFI fellow?

• Complete a project as part of 2-4 fellow project team
• Attend monthly project status meetings with CYFI Board of Directors in Lagos
• Participate in roundtables, networking events, and teambuilding events
• Prospective fellows should note that all meetings and groupwork for the CYFI project will be conducted in Lagos. Fellows who live outside of Lagos state 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. Unfornately, CYFI does not have the resources to expand outside of Lagos State at this time. CYFI fellows must be legal residents of Nigeria

How can I, or my company or organization, contribute to CYFI?

We are very glad you asked! Please contact the CYFI Board at [email protected] for more information on how companies, organizations and individuals can assist CYFI through sponsorship or in-kind donations. We welcome any support you are willing to offer, and we are willing to work with you to determine how you can best assist us. Some different ways to assist are detailed below:

- Sponsorship and Funding
o      Sponsor 1 team/project
o       Give a donation to the CYFI initiative
- In-kind support
o       This can be in the form of an offer of meeting space, equipment, or anything else your organization can contribute.
- Mentorship
o       Mentoring 1 team on a semi-regular basis, to be determined jointly by team and mentor
o       One-time situational consulting/mentoring
- Internships
o       Offer an internship opportunity with your organization to a CYFI fellow, to start at the end of the CYFI program year (Feb 2013).
- Participation in program events
o       We are always looking for individuals willing to speak at events on various program-related topics, and for keynote speakers for our CYFI Awards Ceremony.