• conducting formative and evaluative research, analyzing findings, and developing program and policy recommendations;
• launching new activities, taking pilot activities to scale, and adapting existing activities to new audiences or situations;
• serving as a technical resource/point-person on specific issues, such as contraceptive logistics, access and quality, postabortion care, family planning-HIV/AIDS integration, sustainability, monitoring and evaluation, communication and outreach, gender, youth-friendly services, etc.;
• coordinating inter-organizational partnerships, networks, working groups, and coalitions;
• training colleagues or constituents;
• supporting the development of sustainable systems (such as monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning, fundraising, administrative, and computer systems); and
• documenting program needs and results.

Fellows have helped Peruvian family planning NGOs move toward financial sustainability. They have conducted operations research aimed at reducing sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies in Brazil. They have developed M&E systems for refugee clinics in Thailand. They have launched new contraceptives and social marketing campaigns throughout Africa. And they have helped USAID bring state-of-the-art quality of care techniques to every region of the globe.

It's important to note that fellows' host organizations and assignments have evolved over time in response to changes in the field. The publications section of our Web site features the most up-to-date information on fellows and their activities. Our annual reports and newsletters, in particular, provide detailed descriptions of the types of projects fellows have undertaken and how their work has impacted their host agencies. In general, while fellows may work on projects that incorporate a variety of reproductive and primary health aims, family planning must be an explicit priority.