The American Austrian Foundation (AAF) seeks to bridge the knowledge gap by providing qualified individuals with fellowships to pursue postgraduate education in medicine, media and the arts. The AAF's fellowship programs, initially offered to Americans and Austrians, now include participants from more than 120 countries worldwide. The AAF conducts its own programs and oversees joint programs with American, Austrian and international organizations. The AAF’s largest programs, the Open Medical Institute, is a global initiative founded by The American Austrian Foundation, Weill Cornell Medical College, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and the Open Society Foundations. The OMI’s objective is to expose mid-career level, Englishspeaking doctors from countries in transition to Western medical knowledge and technology by offering them multiple opportunities to attend seminars and internships. This allows them to continually update their skills without emigrating from their countries, thereby preventing "brain drain” and promoting “brain gain.” Faculty members come from the leading American and European medical centers. Over the past 20 years, 1,400 faculty members from the United States and Europe have trained almost 15,000 physicians from over 120 countries and regions, including Africa and the Middle East. Fellows must apply and, if accepted, attend on full scholarships. Faculty members serve on a pro bono basis.