2012 GLOBAL FACULTY GRANTS PROGRAM
***NEW PROGRAM***
Deadline for Kyrgyzstan: April 16, 2012
The Global Faculty Grants Program offers professional development and research support to faculty in the social sciences and humanities in select countries. The program aims to:
• encourage the pursuit of and continued engagement with academic careers;
• generate new approaches to curricular and pedagogical practice;
• support the creation of internationally peer-reviewed scholarship;
• boost the quality of teaching and research in the social science and humanities; and
• build and sustain local and international academic networks.
The program offers two separate tracks of support for eligible scholars:
TRACK I (TEACHING TRACK) is devoted primarily to developing the teaching and research expertise of younger faculty with an eye towards encouraging improved course content via improved research and pedagogy. These fellowships last up to 10 months, are not renewable, and are tenable at universities arranged by program administrators.
Track I of the Global Faculty Grants Program offers Fellows the experience of immersion in an alternative academic setting, where they are given the space and freedom to focus on their intellectual development, while benefitting from the guidance and collaboration of an established academic mentor.
The program aims to raise the quality of higher education instruction in targeted countries by encouraging grantees to develop innovative approaches to curricular and pedagogical reform and gain access to international academic networks.
Fellows are also encouraged to build their own research skills, utilizing bibliographic resources unavailable at home and collaborating with international colleagues on research projects. Particular emphasis is placed on the intersection of teaching and research: grantees are encouraged to incorporate their research into their teaching, thereby enriching the learning experience of their students.
ELIGIBILITY
Track I is offered to academics in Nepal and select countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Tajikistan). The Program does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or disability, and is offered to individuals who match the following profile*:
• Early or mid-career academic, clearly dedicated to a career in higher education, whose professional trajectory has not peaked but whose position would allow them to implement curricular changes in the classroom;
• Holding a full-time teaching position at a reform-minded department in a strong public or private institution; that is, in departments ready and willing to support the innovations of returning grantees. Depending on the local higher education environment, those holding several part-time positions (totaling full time) at multiple institutions may be considered;
• Teaching experience should be in scholar’s area of academic training and expertise, although inter-disciplinary activities are encouraged;
• Holding PhD or equivalent. In some cases, instructors in the later stages of completing local doctorates may be considered, provided they are currently teaching, committed to a career within academia, and can demonstrate that the fellowship experience would raise the quality of their dissertation, help situate them in international academic networks, and improve their overall research methodology and expertise; and
• Able to participate in an intensive academic writing program in summer 2012, begin the fellowship program in August or September 2012, and receive and maintain the visa or study permit required by host country.
*Employees of the Open Society Foundations and employees of local administering organizations (and their immediate family members), who are directly involved in the administration of scholarships are not eligible; nor are individuals receiving other Open Society Foundations—funded fellowship support.
HOST UNIVERSITY PLACEMENT AND ACTIVITIES ON FELLOWSHIP
As possible, Track I fellows will be clustered at host institutions designated by OSF. Fellows are expected to accept placement at OSF-designated departments, although a finalist who has identified a supportive contact at an appropriate department may be allowed to arrange his/her own placement independently. Host universities for 2012 are primarily in North America, although possibilities exist for the UK and Europe.
The program is focused on alternative approaches to teaching, building research skills, and developing appropriate curricula for the home institution. Ideally, grantees will also absorb other aspects of the host education environment, such as administrative structures and student-related services, which may be applicable to the home institution. Specific fellowship activities may include:
• Developing new courses for home institution;
• Visiting classes to observe teaching methods, review syllabi and reading lists of host faculty;
• Attending departmental and university faculty meetings;
• Auditing relevant courses (including completing assignments and participating in class discussion);
• Giving guest lectures and/or helping to teach a course;
• Introducing the home country’s higher education system to faculty and students;
• Co-publishing and developing collaborative research projects;
• Participating in academic conferences;
• Participating in the OSF Academic Webfolio Project (www.academicwebfolio.org), which offers networking and peer review/feedback on scholarly activities.
In addition to completing the program application form, applicants are expected to submit a detailed study plan describing their proposed project, activities, and goals to be achieved while on the program. The proposal should describe courses to be developed and research topics to be explored.
Grantees will be required to submit a narrative report describing their experience after returning home and reflecting on the fellowship’s effects on them as teachers and scholars. Endorsement of these reports by the home country department head should be included.
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES
• Pre-Academic Summer Program: In July 2012, grantees in Track I will be required to participate in a four-week pre-academic summer program normally held in Istanbul, Turkey. The program consists of classes in academic writing in English and curriculum development, as well as social science and humanities-based seminars.
• Spring Semester Conference: During the second semester, finalists participate in an annual program workshop.
• General: Fellows must uphold the academic standards of the host institution and are expected to be in residence at the host university for the duration of the fellowship, with the exception of short trips for professional purposes. Failure to maintain academic and professional standards as defined by the host university may result in dismissal from the program. Failure to follow the laws governing foreign students in the host country will result in dismissal from the program.
SELECTION
Competition is merit based and selection is based on academic excellence, professional aptitude, leadership potential, commitment to improving the teaching of social sciences and humanities, long-term commitment to a career in higher education in home country, and language ability sufficient for the host university setting.
All completed applications are reviewed and evaluated by a committee of university representatives and OSF staff. Semifinalists may be invited for an in-country interview and language exams. Applications, interview evaluations, and exam results are considered by a final selection committee that recommends finalists to prospective host universities.
FELLOWSHIP TERMS
Track I fellowships last up to 10 months (one academic year), begin in fall 2012, and are not renewable.
The fellowship provides:
• monthly stipend for room, board, and other living expenses;
• program-related travel;
• accident and sickness insurance during the program;
• funds for educational materials and professional development;
• costs associated with the pre-academic summer program and annual conference.
The fellowship does NOT provide funding for dependent family members.
APPLICATION AND OTHER FORMS:
Completed application forms together with supporting materials should be submitted to the Soros Foundation-Kyrgyzstan not later then 18.00, April 16, 2012. All documents should be in two (2) copies: one original + one copy of all documents. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Soros Foundation — Kyrgyzstan
55a Logvinenko St., Bishkek
720040 Kyrgyzstan
tel.: (+996 312) 663475, ext. 112
fax: (+996 312) 663448
contact person: Rakia Rustemova
e-mail: rakia@soros.kg
TRACK II (RESEARCH TRACK) is devoted to helping well-established faculty to pursue research leading to publication at universities outside of their home country. These fellowships last up to 5 months, and are renewable once, after residence in the home country for a minimum one (1) year.
Track II of the Global Faculty Grants Program offers Fellows the time, space and resources necessary to conduct research leading to publication in an internationally-recognized peer reviewed journal. The program aims to promote original research and to increase the international mobility of scholars in countries of focus. The program supports well-established scholars who occupy responsible and influential position at home universities to pursue research visits of up to 5 months to any accredited higher education institution worldwide.
ELIGIBILITY
Track II is offered to academics in Nepal, Afghanistan, select countries of Central Asia and the
Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Tajikistan) and select countries of the Middle East (Egypt, Jordan, and Palestine). The Program does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or disability, and is offered to individuals matching the following profile*:
• well-established scholars holding a doctorate (PhD) or its equivalent;
• occupying a full-time position at a university with regular teaching responsibilities;
• demonstrating language ability sufficient for with the desired university placement;
• having an established record of academic achievements, including publications in area of specialization;
• able to articulate a persuasive and well-planned research project to be completed during the fellowship.
Collaborative research projects, in which the guest scholar participates in an ongoing research project at the host institution, are strongly encouraged.
* Employees of the Open Society Foundations and employees of local administering organizations (and their immediate family members), who are directly involved in the administration of scholarships are not eligible; nor are individuals receiving other Open Society Foundations—funded fellowship support.
SELECTION
Competition is merit based and applications are evaluated on the academic merit of the proposed research project. Other factors include the applicant’s professional aptitude, leadership potential, longterm commitment to a career in higher education in home country, and language ability sufficient for the host university setting.
All completed applications are reviewed and evaluated by a committee of university representatives and OSF staff. Selection committees comprised of academic specialists will evaluate the merits of the research proposal, as well as the logic of the proposed destination and duration of the proposed research visit.
HOST UNIVERSITY PLACEMENT AND ACTIVITIES DURING FELLOWSHIP
In addition to completing the program application form, applicants are expected to submit a detailed study plan describing their proposed project, activities, and goals to be achieved while on program. Applicants will be expected to negotiate their own invitation by an academic colleague in the hosting department and are required to obtain the endorsement of both the hosting institution and home university administration.
OSF plays no role in brokering placement of applicants at host universities.
The hosting institution must be capable of offering appropriate resources such as a workplace, access to libraries and the Internet, and other assistance as needed at the host institution, at no cost to the program. For collaborative projects, written confirmation by the lead investigator of the research agreement, including express reference to the applicant’s project, must be included with the application materials.
Fellows must uphold the academic standards of the host institution and are expected to be in residence at the host university for the duration of the fellowship. Failure to maintain academic and professional standards as defined by the host university may result in dismissal from the program. Failure to follow the laws governing foreign students in the host country will result in dismissal from the program.
The program is focused on research support, but grantees are encouraged to take advantage of the full range of the host education environment, such as administrative structures and student-related services, which may be applicable to the home institution. Specific additional activities may include:
• Visiting classes to observe teaching methods, review syllabi and reading lists of host faculty;
• Attending departmental and university faculty meetings;
• Auditing relevant courses, participating in classroom discussion;
• Giving guest lectures or helping to teach a course; and
• Participating in the OSF Academic Webfolio Project (www.academicwebfolio.org), which provides opportunities for networking and peer review/feedback.
FELLOWSHIP TERMS
Track II fellowships last up to 5 months and are renewable once, after the grantee has spent at least one (1) year back in the home country. The fellowship provides:
• monthly stipend for room, board, and other living expenses;
• program-related travel;
• accident and sickness insurance during the program;
The fellowship does NOT provide funding for dependent family members or administrative fees for the hosting institution.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The expected outcome of the fellowship is significant progress made toward the submission of an article to an international peer-reviewed journal. Fellows are also expected to present a public lecture to their host department as well as the home university community.
Fellows will be required to submit a final narrative report, describing the progress made on their research project and outlining further steps required to bring the project to completion and publication. This report will be included in any renewal applications.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
The research proposal should focus on a specific question in a relevant area of social sciences/humanities, should have a well-defined research hypothesis, and should explain what contributions the study will make to the academic discipline. The proposal must be between 5 and 10 pages and will be evaluated also in relation to the duration requested (up to 5 months) and hosting environment arranged.
APPLICATION AND OTHER FORMS:
— host faculty invitation form
Completed application forms together with supporting materials should be submitted to the Soros Foundation-Kyrgyzstan not later then 18.00, April 16, 2012. All documents should be in two (2) copies: one original + one copy of all documents. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Soros Foundation — Kyrgyzstan
55a Logvinenko St., Bishkek
720040 Kyrgyzstan
tel.: (+996 312) 663475, ext. 112
fax: (+996 312) 663448
contact person: Rakia Rustemova
e-mail: rakia@soros.kg
[U1]Прикрепить «Global Faculty Grants-TRACK I Application»
[U2]Прикрепить «Global Faculty Grants-TRACK I Rec Form»
[U3]Прикрепить «Global Faculty Grants-TRACK II Application»
[U4]Прикрепить «Global Faculty Grants-TRACK II Rec Form»
[U5]Прикрепить «Global Faculty Grants-TRACK II Host Univ Invite»
