ICMA’s Global Exchange Opportunities: An Exclusive Member Opportunity

ICMA offers two unique global award opportunities to its members, the John Garvey Scholarship and the Tranter-Leong Fellowship. Both awards offer an unparalleled chance to further one's professional and personal development through sharing knowledge and professional expertise on a global scale. ICMA members have exchanged invaluable lessons and best practices in local government between their home communities and those abroad. Not only have participating members spoken of the long-lasting relationships they have built with friends, peers, and colleagues, they communicated how impactful the acquired skills, tools, and innovative knowledge have been when tackling governance and community challenges at home.

Recipients of the John Garvey and Tranter-Leong awards are engaging with such countries around the world as the Netherlands, Belgium, Mexico, Nepal, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and beyond. Read below to hear from the most recent award recipients about their excitement and eagerness to participate in their exchanges:

John Garvey Scholarship Award Recipients

I'm grateful to ICMA, the Global Engagement Committee, and the John Garvey Scholarship Fund for the opportunity to attend the World Forum for Local Economic Development held in Seville, Spain. I'm looking forward to exchanging ideas that make our communities stronger and thriving through economic partnership.

Gillian Straub, management analyst, Issaquah, Washington, USA

I am deeply grateful to ICMA for this incredible recognition. The world is becoming more connected, and ICMA helps us embrace this by providing an opportunity to learn the best strategies, meet outstanding local government managers, and return to our cities inspired and motivated with many new ideas!

Marta Rudnytska, director, Lviv City Council Secretariat Department, Lviv, Ukraine

Tranter-Leong Fellowship Award Recipients

I'm so grateful for ICMA's important work to advance global knowledge exchange and honored to be selected for this fellowship. Following the devastating fires in Los Angeles, the topics of wildfire mitigation, response, and recovery are now likely top of mind for many community leaders and emergency managers throughout the world. After my trip to Bega Valley Shire Council in Australia, which continues to rebuild following the historic 2020 bushfires, I plan to bring back lessons learned, not only to my home city of Issaquah-which is nestled among extensive open space-but also the greater ICMA community.

Autumn Monahan, administrative services director, Issaquah, Washington, USA

I am incredibly grateful to ICMA for the opportunity to learn more about accessibility, equitable service delivery to all residents, and inclusion internationally. Ensuring that local government is accessible and serves all people in its community equitably is essential, and I am ecstatic to learn from and connect with leaders doing similar work in Japan.

Jazmine Christen, local government professional

Are You Interested in Learning More?

The Tranter-Leong Fellowship aims to enhance the professional development of an ICMA member while encouraging ICMA membership and global relationship building. Fellowship funds (a $5,000 award) are used for an experience outside of the applicant's home country toward a project proposal involving research, job shadowing in a host community, teaching, relationship building, and more. The John Garvey Scholarship promotes global knowledge exchange for early-to-mid level professionals looking to attend a local government management event or conference outside their home country. The scholarship funds offer a $3,500 award.

Apply Now!

Both the Tranter-Leong Fellowship and John-Garvey Scholarship are open for applications for the first cycle of 2025. Apply April 14-June 2 to participate in this one-of-a-kind learning opportunity that will not only enhance your skills in local government but provide you with a critically important international perspective in an increasingly globalized world.

APPLY NOW FOR THE TRANTER-LEONG FELLOWSHIP

APPLY NOW FOR THE JOHN GARVEY SCHOLARSHIP

ICMA is proud to represent women in local government who are taking exceptional strides in their professional development, as demonstrated by the recent round of global award recipients. Check out SheLeadsGov, ICMA's global initiative that works to promote gender equality and connect women working in local government and related government management professions.