OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE

Faculty Development Fellowship Program 2011

DEADLINE: MARCH 10TH, 2010
http://www.soros.org/initiatives/scholarship/focus_areas/facult_scholars
hips

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The Network Scholarship Programs department of the Open Society
Institute is pleased to offer Faculty Development Fellowship to the
outstanding faculty teaching social sciences and humanities in the
universities of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Faculty Development Fellowship is a non-degree program that seeks to
encourage faculty to generate innovative approaches to curricular and
pedagogic reform, to develop and introduce new content in university
courses, to raise the quality of instruction in higher education in the
countries served, and to build and sustain local and international
academia networks.

Each award supports up to three semesters in the United States - one
semester at the US host university (Spring Semester), and the subsequent
semester back in the home university (Fall Semester).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1)	Currently hold a full-time teaching position in the field of
American studies, art history, cultural anthropology, history, law,
philosophy, political science, religion, social work, or sociology at an
accredited university in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, or Uzbekistan.
2)	Have an excellent academic record.
3)	Possess strong written and spoken English language abilities.
4)	Hold an advanced degree (minimum: five-year diploma) from a
recognized institution of higher education.
5)	Able to begin the program in January 2011 and continue through
May 2012.
6)	Have approval of home institution rector, vice-rector, dean or
chair to be absent January-May 2011 and January-May 2012.
7)	Legally residents of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, or Uzbekistan.

INELIGIBILITY:

The following are ineligible:

1)	Teachers of any other subjects outside of those listed in point
one "Criteria" above.
2)	Teachers of English as a foreign language.
3)	Faculty Development Fellowship Program alumni.
4)	Persons enrolled in a US academic program.
5)	Persons earning a salary or living in the United States.
6)	Persons who have spent three or more consecutive months outside
of home country since January 2009.

SELECTION:

Selection is based on academic and professional aptitude, leadership
potential, commitment to improving teaching in the home institution,
long-term commitment to a career in higher education in home country,
and English language ability.

All applicants who meet the basic eligibility criteria will be required
to take the Institutional Test of English as a Foreign Language.  Please
note that this test is not an official TOEFL and the score cannot be
used for any other purposes than this program.  Those with a minimum
score of 500 will be considered for semifinalist status; however, a 500
on the test does not guarantee semifinalist status.  Semifinalists will
be invited for an in-country interview.  Assistance is available to help
cover the cost of transportation to and from the testing and
interviewing sites. 

FINANCIAL TERMS:

Fellowships will cover the following costs: monthly living stipend while
in the United States, academic materials, professional development
support, economy airfare, major medical insurance, pre-academic summer
program ("Summer School"), pre-departure orientation, and participation
in annual meetings in the United States with other grantees.  No support
for dependents will be provided.


VISA SPONSORSHIP:

Participants will enter the United States under J-1 visa sponsorship of
the host university.  They are expected to comply with all visa
regulations and are subject to a two-year home residency requirement
upon completion of the program.


PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES:

US Component: Grantees will be assigned faculty mentors and will be
expected to participate in the classroom as well as assist the professor
with class-related tasks.  The program is focused on learning
alternative approaches to teaching and developing appropriate curricula
for the home institution.  Ideally, grantees will also absorb other
aspects of US higher education such as administrative structures and
student-related services which may be applicable to the home
institution.  Grantees are expected to develop course plans and related
materials for new courses.

Home country component: During the home semester and summer, grantees
will be expected to maintain contact with their US mentor and develop
plans for sustaining that relationship.  They will be expected to test
teaching methods and course material developed while in the United
States.  It is expected that grantees will share information and
resources with colleagues and home institution administrators.  OSI
staff will work with grantees to ensure that grantees are fully
cognizant of other initiatives in higher education reform to which they
can contribute and use to further their professional goals.

 
APPLICATION GUIDELINES:

1. Read all instructions and information carefully.

2. All forms in the application are to be completed in English and must
be typed. If completing the application form by hand, please use the
black ink and write in BLOCK CAPITALS. 

3. Answer every question completely and carefully.  Please use the space
provided for your responses.
Please make sure the spelling of your name reflects the spelling in your
passport.

4. The application must be accompanied by the following items: 

a) at least two recommendations in sealed envelopes
b) application essays
c) a letter from the home university permitting the applicant to be
absent in January - May, 2011 and in January - May, 2012
	d) certified transcripts in the native language
	e) certified English translations of transcripts
	f) a Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) in English outlining academic
degrees and awards, publications, and work history
g) a photocopy of passport picture page 

5. Submit one original of the application and all supporting documents
and one photocopy of the application and supporting documents.


CHECKLIST

Please check and arrange your application in the following order (from
the top):

1.	A signed application typed or printed in black ink with a
passport-size photo attached
2.	Photocopy of passport picture page
3.	Application Essays
4.	Curriculum Vitae
5.	Certified official transcripts; certified English translations
of the transcripts
6.	Copies of TOEFL results or other English language exams (if
applicable)
7.	A letter from the home university
8.	2 recommendations in sealed envelopes
9.	Make a copy of the application form and supporting documents

DEADLINE: MARCH 10TH, 2010

Return the completed application and one copy to the appropriated
address before the deadline.
Faxed or emailed applications will not be accepted.