Below, you will find some Program or Grant Announcements for Scholars or Students, such as:
• The 2009 International Fulbright Science and Technology Award for Outstanding Foreign Students.
• The 2007-08 International Leadership in Education Program (ILEP)
• The 2008-09 Fellowships at the National Endowment for Democracy
• The 2008 Middle East Partnership Iniative's (MEPI) "Leaders in Democracy" Fellowship (LDF) Program
• The 2008 IIE Fellowships for Threatened Scholars
► THE FY 2009 INTERNATIONAL FULBRIGHT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING FOREIGN STUDENTS
• SUMMARY: The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is pleased to announce the opening of the FY 2009 worldwide competition for the International Fulbright Science and Technology Award for outstanding foreign students. Last year's competition for this significant new program produced an extremely talented group of candidates whom leading U.S. scientists on the review and selection panels deemed outstanding. The award is designed to be among the most prestigious international scholarships in science and technology. The International Fulbright Science and Technology award is for Ph.D. study at top U.S. institutions in science, technology, or engineering. The program is funded by ECA and aims to convey the message that the U.S. remains the premier destination for serious scientific study and research, and that America not only welcomes top notch talent, we encourage future leaders to shape their careers through U.S. study. Approximately 25 awards will be competed worldwide for candidates who demonstrate unique aptitude and innovation in scientific fields. In order to allow adequate time for both standardized testing and score receipt prior to final U.S. screening-committee review, the deadline for receipt of applications in Washington, D.C. is July 2, 2008. This Commission, however, must receive the completed applications into the "Fulbright House" (in Shmeisani) no later than 1 May 2008.
• BACKGROUND: The U.S. remains the most attractive destination for serious scientific and technological research and study. The Department of State views this program as an important step to ensure the nation's position. The International Fulbright Science and Technology Award reaffirms America's pre-eminence and competitiveness in the fields of science, technology, and engineering. According to a congressionally-requested report by the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering and Institute of Medicine, Rising Above The Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future, "In a world where advanced knowledge is widespread and low-cost labor is readily available, U.S. advantages in the marketplace and in science and technology have begun to erode." Under Secretary of State for ECA Ms. Karen Hughes announced the new Fulbright International Science and Technology Award at the U.S. University Presidents Summit on International Education in January 2006 in response to this critical need. ECA is conducting a worldwide competition for 2008 to select top science and technology students eligible for Ph.D. study at prestigious U.S. institutions.
Winners of the 2007 competition came from 27 countries (with all world regions represented) and represent a wide variety of fields in science, technology and engineering, including bioinformatics, computer science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, neuroscience, and physics. Forty-four percent of the winners were women. Recipients were chosen through a rigorous, multi-tiered, merit-based selection process consisting of in-country competition and review, field and discipline merit review by top-level U.S. academic leaders, and nomination by a blue ribbon Advisory Panel, including a Nobel Laureate and university deans and presidents. Final selection was made by the Presidentially-appointed Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Winners are currently being placed at top U.S. institutions and have already gained (at the time of this writing) acceptance at leading universities including Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Stanford University.
• PROGRAM DESIGN: The ECA Bureau and the Binational Fulbright Commission in Jordan is now soliciting nominations for candidates to participate in the FY 2009 International Fulbright Science and Technology Program. Grantees will be enrolled for Ph.D. study at top U.S. universities in the fields of science, technology, or engineering. The International Fulbright Science and Technology Award is a worldwide program. Eligible fields include: aeronautics and astronomics/aeronautical engineering, astronomy/planetary sciences, biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, computer sciences/engineering, energy, engineering (electrical, chemical, civil, mechanical, ocean, and petroleum), environmental science/engineering, geology/earth and atmospheric sciences, information sciences/engineering, materials science/engineering, mathematics, neuroscience/brain and cognitive sciences, oceanography, and physics. (Please note: A brief description of each field of study is also available by visiting the following website at www.iie.org/fulbright/manager.). The ECA Bureau of the Department of State will fund grants for up to three years for this competition. After three years, U.S. universities will be expected to cover the remaining expenses toward completion of a Ph.D. Placement of students will be handled by a Fulbright cooperating agency (either IIE in New York or AMIDEAST in Washington, D.C.).
• ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must be citizens of countries where there is an active Fulbright Foreign Student Program and must apply through the Binational Fulbright Commission (for Jordan, this will be the Commission located in Amman ). Applicants will have completed an undergraduate degree before August 1, 2008 and be proficient in English with a recent TOEFL score (or equivalent) of 580 or higher. A GRE General Exam score report will be required for nominees prior to presentation to U.S. screening committees. A nominee is expected to achieve a quantitative score on the GRE of at least 700. (Note: a GRE Subject Exam score report will also be needed for all selected candidates in the following fields of study: biology; biochemistry, cell, and molecular biology; chemistry; computer science; mathematics; and physics.) Test vouchers for all exams will be provided for all nominees. Nominees should be registered for exams as soon as possible after nomination. Test scores should be sent to IIE in New York by August 1, 2008.
• RECRUITMENT: The most effective recruitment strategies will vary from country to country, depending on whether there is a Fulbright Commission. In the case for Jordan, please contact the Commission in Amman, Jordan.
• APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Each applicant will be required to submit an online application at https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/international, along with all supporting documents. The online application for 2009-2010 will be available on February 1, 2008. A complete online application includes:
o a clearly written research objective
o a professional resume
o Three letters of reference
o Official (or scanned and attached to the online application) academic transcripts from each post- secondary institution attended
o English language test scores (when available)
o GRE General and GRE subject exam test scores (when available)
• NOMINATION AND SELECTION CRITERIA: Initial screenings, based on criteria outlined above, will be conducted by the Binational Fulbright Commission in Jordan. The Nomination deadline for Jordan is June 15, 2007; therefore, all completed applications must be received at the "Fulbright House" in Amman (Shmeisani) by 1 May 2008. Up to two principal Jordanian candidates and one alternate from Jordan can be nominated.
• APPLICATION PACKAGE: A complete application package, consisting of electronic and paper items, for each nominee should be forwarded to IIE no later than July 2, 2008. The application package should include:
o the online application with a completed Fulbright committee nomination advice form
o academic transcripts (scanned and attached to the online application or official paper copies sent by mail)
o letters of reference (attached to the online application or official paper copies sent by mail)
o Score reports (as soon as available but prior to U.S. screening committee review)
o TOEFL or IELTS or other English language proficiency exam (when required)
o General GRE exam
o GRE Subject exam (if applicable)
• U.S. UNIVERSITY PLACEMENT: IIE/New York or AMIDEAST/Washington, D.C. will be responsible for placement of all Fulbright Science and Technology award recipients. IIE or AMIDEAST will work closely with the recipients and the Department of State's ECA Bureau to ensure the best placement available for field of study and research interests. ECA will approve all final placements.
• FUNDING: All grantees receive tuition, a monthly stipend for up to 36 months, health and accident coverage, a book and equipment allowance, professional conference allowance, travel support, and specially tailored enrichment activities, and are eligible to apply for additional research funding. After three years, U.S. universities will be expected to cover the remaining expenses toward completion of a Ph.D.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
BINATIONAL FULBRIGHT COMMISSION
P.O. Box 850215
(19, Mahdi bin Barakah Street - Shmeisani)
Amman 11185, Jordan
Tel: (962-6) 568-4760 or 560-4630
Fax: (962-6) 568-4820
Email: fulbright@nets.com.jo
► THE 2008 INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION PROGRAM (ILEP):
NOTICE: The competition for the 2007-08 ILEP Awards is not CLOSED. The 2008-2009 ILEP competition has been announced.
• SUMMARY: The 2008-09 International Leadership in Education Program (ILEP), formerly known as the International Educators Program (IEP), for teachers announces the application procedures for this program. The Binational Fulbright Commission in Jordan has been invited to nominate candidates for this program that will begin in January 2009. Fifty-two teachers from countries in selected regions, inclusing the Middle East will come to the United States from January to June 2009 for a semester-long program combining academic coursework with an eight-week internship in a U.S. secondary school.
• PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The International Leadership in Education Program (ILEP) will bring 52 teachers in a broad range of subjects to the United States for a semester-long program beginning in January 2009. Groups of 13 teachers will be placed at four different U.S. universities. The program will consist of a semester-long graduate-level academic program, which will include coursework and intensive training in teaching methodologies, curriculum writing, teaching strategies for the home environment, educational leadership, as well as the use of computers for Internet, word processing and as tools for teaching. The semester-long program will also include an eight-week internship at a school to engage participants actively in the American classroom environment. Cultural enrichment, mentoring, and support will be provided for participants throughout the program. Participants will return to Jordan in June 2009. Following the U.S. program, program alumni will be eligible to participate in a small grants program supporting collaborative projects between participating American schools and their home schools. The Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) will provide funding for this program.
• ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Jordanian applicants must be secondary-level, full-time teaching professionals with a bachelor,s degree or the equivalent and five or more years of classroom experience in English as a Foreign Language, social studies, civics, mathematics or science. Applicants must be citizens of Jordan. They must have English-language proficiency in written and spoken English, a TOEFL score of 450 or higher, and they must submit a complete application.
NOTE: To view the Official ILEP Program Announcement click on the following link: http://www.fulbright-jordan.org/portals/0/2008 ILEP Program Announcement.doc
• APPLICATION PROCESS: The Binational Fulbright Commission may nominate up to five (5) outstanding teachers for the program. The deadline for receipt of applications in Washington, D.C. is July 2, 2008.
NOTE: To download the official ILEP Application form, click on: http://www.fulbright-jordan.org/portals/0/2008 ILEP Application Form.doc
• ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING: All candidates for this program will be required to take the TOEFL. Applicants with scores of 450 or higher on the written test (or the equivalent on the CBT) will be eligible. Selected candidates with TOEFL scores in the 450-500 range will be required to attend an intensive English language training session for two weeks prior to the start of the program. In addition, all candidates will receive on-going language assistance during their academic program. If possible, TOEFL scores should be provided with the nomination materials. Nominated candidates may be required to take a second speaking test to determine program placement.
• DEPENDENTS: Dependents will not be allowed to come to the United States on this program.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
BINATIONAL FULBRIGHT COMMISSION
P.O. Box 850215
(19, Mahdi bin Barakah Street - Shmeisani)
Amman 11185, Jordan
Tel: (962-6) 568-4760 or 560-4630
Fax: (962-6) 568-4820
Email: fulbright@nets.com.jo
► THE 2008-09 FELLOWSHIPS AT THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) invites applications to its Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program. Established in 2001 to enable democracy practitioners and scholars from around the world to deepen their understanding of democracy and enhance their ability to promote democratic change, the program is based at NED.s International Forum for Democratic Studies, in Washington, D.C.
• Program: The program offers five-month fellowships for practitioners to improve strategies and techniques for building democracy abroad and five- to ten-month fellowships for scholars to conduct original research for publication. Practitioners may include activists, lawyers, journalists, and other civil society professionals; scholars may include professors, research analysts, and other writers. Projects may focus on the political, social, economic, legal, and cultural aspects of democratic development and may include a range of methodologies and approaches.
• Eligibility: The fellows program is intended primarily to support practitioners and scholars from new and aspiring democracies. Distinguished scholars from the United States and other established democracies are also eligible to apply. Practitioners are expected to have substantial experience working to promote democracy. Scholars are expected to have a doctorate, or academic equivalent, at the time of application. The program is not designed to pay for professional training or to support
students working toward a degree. A working knowledge of English is an important prerequisite for participation in the program.
• Support: The fellowship year begins October 1 and runs through July 31, with major entry dates in October and March. All fellows receive a monthly stipend, health insurance, travel assistance, and research support through the Forum.s Democracy Resource Center and the Reagan-Fascell Research Associates Program.
• Application: For further details, please visit us online at www.ned.org. For instructions on how to apply, please download our most recent Information and Application Forms Booklet, available at www.ned.org/forum/R-FApplication.pdf or visit us online at www.ned.org/forum/reagan-fascell.html. All application materials must be type-written and in English.
• Deadline: Applications for fellowships in 2008 - 2009 must be received no later than November 1, 2007. Notification of the competition outcome is in April 2008.
For more information please contact:
Program Assistant, Fellowship Programs Tel: (202) 378-9700
International Forum for Democratic Studies Fax: (202) 378-9407
National Endowment for Democracy E-mail: fellowships@ned.org
1025 F Street, N.W., Suite 800 Internet: www.ned.org
Washington, D.C. 20004
► THE MIDDLE EAST PARTNERSHIP INIATIVE's (MEPI) "LEADERS FOR DEMOCRACY" FELLOWSHIP (LDF) PROGRAM.
• SUMMARY: The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) is pleased to announce the second year of the "Leaders for Democracy" Fellowships Program (LDF). This three-month program will provide 25 emerging leaders and democratic reform activists between the ages of 25-40, from across the Middle East and North Africa, with the opportunity to enroll in both academic and skill-building learning experiences as well as exposure to like-minded reformers and political leaders inside and outside the region. Fellows will complete a six week tailored academic program at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University from April to mid-May 2009, and then complete a six-week internship at a public or private institution involved in their field of interest in Syracuse or Washington, D.C. The fellowship will cover international and domestic travel, health insurance, housing, and a living stipend in the United States.
The academic and practical experiences gained through completing this program, together with the support of American professional and Arab peer networks (including alumni from the first LDF class), will empower a new generation of young leaders and activists to bring about positive change in their home countries, on both the national and local levels.
• APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Interested Jordanian applicants should submit to the U.S. Embassy in Amman no later than May 10, 2008, an updated resume, and two essays of no more than 500 words each, written in English, which answer the following questions:
a) What does leadership mean to you? What has influenced your thinking on this subject (people you know, current events, course of study)? What is an example of a great act of leadership?
b) What role do you expect to play in leading your community or country towards greater democracy and citizen participation in the institutions of government and in public life? What changes do you hope to bring about in your country during the next 10 years?
• ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA - Jordanian Applicants should meet the following criteria:
- At least five years of experience working as a professional in a political reform field, (e.g. political parties, civil society, rule of law, human rights, family law reform, etc.)
- Demonstrated commitment and desire to remain working in this field for the near future, and an equal commitment to being a leader of positive change within his or her own country
- Significant leadership skills and the capacity to apply the opportunities presented in this program in a way that would benefit an organization, sector, or community
- Demonstrated level of English language fluency to function successfully in high-level academic and professional environments; TOEFL scores will not be required
- Bachelors degree and the demonstrated ability to succeed in a demanding academic environment
- Has not already completed a similar academic degree or internship in the United States, is not subject to J-visa restrictions, and is not an employee or the spouse or child of an employee of the U.S. government.
• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For further details and questions related to academic and internship components to this program. Please visit the websites for this program at Syracuse University http://mepi.cp.maxwell.syr.edu.
• APPLICATION DEADLINE: Before May 11, 2008, Jordanian applicants should submit their resumes and essays electronically to the American Embassy in Amman's Cultural Affairs Officer Mr. David Mees at webmasterjordan@state.gov. Candidates selected for the program will be notified in July, 2007.
► THE 2008 IIE FELLOWSHIPS FOR THREATENED SCHOLARS
2008 IIE Scholar Rescue Fund Fellowships – Now Accepting Applications & Nominations
• APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 1, 2007
The Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund (SRF) provides fellowships for established scholars whose lives and work are threatened in their home countries. These fellowships permit professors, researchers and other senior academics to find temporary refuge at universities and colleges anywhere in the world, enabling them to pursue their academic work and to continue to share their knowledge with students, colleagues, and the community at large. When conditions improve, these scholars will return home to help rebuild universities and societies ravaged by fear, conflict and repression. During the fellowship, conditions in a scholar’s home country may improve, permitting safe return; if safe return is not possible, the scholar may use the fellowship period to identify a longer-term opportunity.
• HOW THE SCHOLAR RESCUE FUND WORKS:
- Professors, established researchers and other senior academics from any country, field or discipline may qualify. Preference is given to scholars with a Ph.D. or other highest degree in their field; who have extensive teaching or research experience at a university, college or other institution of higher learning; who demonstrate superior academic accomplishment or promise; and whose selection is likely to benefit the academic community in the home and/or host country or region. Applications from female scholars and under-represented groups are strongly encouraged.
- Fellowship recipients are expected to resume their teaching, lecturing, research, writing and publishing at an academic institution outside the region of threat.
- Fellowships are awarded for visiting academic positions ranging from 3 months to one calendar year. The maximum award is US $20,000, plus health insurance for the scholar-grantee.
- Fellowships are disbursed through host academic institutions for direct support of scholar-grantees. In most cases, host campuses are asked to match the SRF fellowship award through partial salary/stipend support, housing and other direct funding. Other in-kind assistance is also encouraged.
- Applications are accepted at any time. Emergency applications receive urgent consideration. Non-emergency applications will be considered according to the following schedule:
Winter 2007-08: Applications received by December 1; decision by January 15.
Spring 2008: Applications received by February 15; decision by April 15.
To apply, please download the information and application materials from: http://www.iie.org/programs/srf/apply.htm
For universities and colleges interested in hosting an SRF scholar, please visit: http://www.iie.org/programs/srf/host.htm
We welcome your questions. Please contact us at:
IIE Scholar Rescue Fund Fellowships
809 U.N. Plaza
New York, New York 10017
Tel: (USA) 1-212-984-5486
Fax: (USA) 1-212-984-5353
E-mail: SRF@iie.org
Web: www.iie.org/SRF
NOTE: If you are a scholar from Iraq, or seeking support on behalf of an Iraqi scholar, please direct all questions or queries to the telephone number above or write directly to the Iraq Scholar Rescue Fund at IraqSRF@iie.org. Kindly include “SRF Iraq Project” in the subject line.