(An Open Competition Program)
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Embassy of the United States of America is pleased to announce the open competition for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State Regional Scholar Exchange Program (RSEP) in the United States for the 2000-2001 academic year. Scholars from the New Independent States (NIS) in the humanities and social sciences may apply for individual, non-degree research opportunities at universities and institutes in the United States. This merit-based, open competition selects junior and mid-level university faculty, researchers, and scholars in the social sciences and humanities from the NIS. All fellows conduct research on specific topics in the social science and humanities, write academic papers, articles and books, and deliver lectures with the goal of contributing to the further development of higher education and scholarship in their home countries. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs manages this program. The Regional Scholar Exchange Program is administered by the American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS (American Councils) in collaboration with the National Council for Eurasian and East European Research (NCEEER), and Kennan Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Participants in RSEP will conduct research in the United States either for four or six months (participants sponsored by the Kennan Institute will be offered six-month grants; participants sponsored by American Councils will be offered four month grants).
All applications to RSEP will be reviewed and evaluated in the United States by regional specialists who will provide written assessments of each proposal’s viability, need for access to U.S. resources, and potential contribution to the discipline in the applicant’s home country. A bi-national committee will interview each semi-finalist in English in order to discuss each applicant’s research project and how that project will benefit the applicant’s profession in his or her home country after returning from the United States. Based on the evaluation of the written application and the results of the interview, finalists and alternate candidates will be selected. Grantees will begin their programs in the United States in Fall 2000 or Spring 2001. Dates for fellowships will be determined by ACTR/ACCELS or the Kennan Institute, and cannot be changed. (Finalists will be asked to state their preference for project start date. To the extent possible, this preference will be honored.)
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS: November 15, 1999
PROVISIONS:
Participants in the Regional Scholar Exchange Program will receive: Round-trip airfare from their home cities to their host universities in the United States, pre-academic orientation, monthly stipend, health insurance, access to libraries and archives, professional development and alumni activities.
FIELDS OF RESEARCH:
Individuals who are eligible to participate in RSEP:
The U.S. Department of State does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, handicap or disability.
Individuals NOT eligible:
The Regional Scholar Exchange Program provides no financial support for the family members or dependents of program participants.
All RSEP participants must return immediately to their home countries for at least two (2) calendar years upon completion of the program in the United States. No requests for visa extensions, waivers, or transfers will be granted under any circumstances.
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