The Eisenhower Fellowships, created in 1953 to honor President Eisenhower, is an international leadership exchange program. They promote international understanding and productivity through the exchange of information, ideas, and perspectives among emerging leaders throughout the world. The program brings outstanding professionals who are rising leaders in their countries to the United States and sends their American counterparts abroad, with a custom-designed program for each participant.

The USA program sends approximately ten USA Eisenhower Fellows annually for individualized programs in countries where their professions can be enriched by the persons, organizations, and institutions encountered there. The goal is to enhance the development of mid-career leaders in fields that will have an impact on areas important to the future of the United States.

The Fellow will spend four weeks or more pursuing a program developed in close communication with Eisenhower Fellows and/or a professional programmer resident in that country. The program will focus on a series of professional visits and appointments with local experts and leaders in the Fellow's field. It will also include cultural sites and hospitality by citizens of that country.

Eisenhower Fellows regularly achieve higher positions after their Fellowships. Among the 1,200 Eisenhower Fellows, there have been four heads of government and 92 appointments at cabinet level or above. Numerous Fellows have become ambassadors, national legislators, university presidents, supreme court judges, and provincial governors. They head major corporations and lead non-profit organizations involving health, environment, culture, and other philanthropy.

This list represents top positions held by Eisenhower Fellows over the years.

Private Sector	Companies and Banks	188
	Industry Associations, Chambers of Commerce, Professional Associations	21
Public Sector	Heads of Government	4
	Cabinet Level and Above (not including heads of state)	95
	State-owned Firms or Banks	34
	Ambassadors	32
Not-for-Profit	Voluntary Organizations (in health, science, environment, education, welfare, etc.)	69
Higher Education, Public and Private	University and Post-secondary College	31