2007-2008 Returning Scholars Fellowship Program

Open Society Institute
International Higher Education Support Program
Academic Fellowship Program

2007-2008 Returning Scholars Fellowship Program

The Returning Scholars Fellowship Program (RSFP) invites applications from talented scholars who seek university positions and academic careers in their home countries after studying abroad. The program is open to citizens of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan and Ukraine.

RSFP, a part of the Academic Fellowship Program (AFP), welcomes scholars from these countries who have received (or will receive by September 2007) an internationally competitive postgraduate degree in anthropology, area/cultural studies, gender studies, economics, history, political science, international relations, psychology, public administration, philosophy, social work, sociology, public health, human rights and public law, or journalism/media studies. The program does not support scholars in philology, the visual and performing arts, or business.

AFP fellows are placed in carefully selected university departments that are amenable to change and demonstrate a realistic and clear vision for future development. RSFP helps universities in the region retain promising young scholars, who are essential to the revitalization of departments and to the sustainability of higher education reforms. The program represents part of a conscious strategy to combat “brain drain” by offering financial, institutional and professional development support, as well as further opportunities as program alumni. Returning Scholars and partner departments also benefit from the presence of AFP-supported International Scholars, who provide expert mentorship in such areas as professional development, curriculum development and reform, research methods, and teaching/learning methodologies specific for their discipline.

AFP supports placement of Returning Scholars generally in AFP partner departments. A list of current Academic Fellowship Program partner departments can be found on our website. The list is subject to change in the 2007-08 academic year, and applicants are advised to explore placement possibilities with their respective Region Manager or Country Coordinator.

Fellowships include a monthly stipend and various allowances, in addition to the opportunity to participate in departmental and professional development projects.

Application deadline: March 23, 2007. Fellowships begin in August or September 2007 and normally last one academic year, with the possibility of renewal. For applications (see attached file) and guidelines, please see our web site: http://www.soros. org/initiatives/ hesp/focus/ afp

Open Society Institute
Higher Education Support Program
Academic Fellowship Program
October 6 utca 12, H-1051, Budapest, Hungary

E-mail: afp@osi.hu
Telephone: (36-1) 235 6160
Fax: (36-1) 411-4401