Returning Scholars Fellowship Program

Please note: The application deadline for this fellowship has passed. Please check back in early 2010 for a new call for applications for the 2010-2011 academic year.

As part of a conscious strategy to combat "brain drain" in the social sciences and humanities, this program supports talented scholars who, after earning a master's or other postgraduate degree abroad, seek university positions and academic careers in their home countries. Securing the services of such scholars is essential to the revitalization of academic departments and the sustainability of higher education reforms. The program offers financial, professional, and departmental development support, as well as opportunities for further professional growth as Academic Fellowship Program (AFP) alumni.

Fellowships comprise monthly stipends and various allowances, including departmental, professional development, and mobility funds, and are renewable. Note that Returning Scholars are supported only in AFP partner departments. An interested scholar already associated with a department that is not an AFP partner will either be ineligible for the fellowship or may discuss the possibility of relocating to a qualifying department at a different university.

Returning Scholars benefit from an innovative online instrument, the AFP Academic Webfolio Project. Essentially a collective academic workshop, it provides AFP fellows an open forum to present academic materials that reflect their professional development as scholars and university teachers. Posting the materials encourages fellows' self-reflection and allows for ongoing peer and expert review and commentary. The Webfolio's open community provides a convenient and effective opportunity for scholarly dialogue, collaboration, assistance, and access to the collective academic expertise of AFP fellows and faculty members of AFP partner departments.

Starting with the 2007/08 academic year, the AFP Academic Webfolio Project also serves as the platform for the work of AFP's new discipline groups. These groups were established to facilitate academic interaction and cooperation among all AFP fellows in the same academic discipline but at/from different universities. Discipline group activities will be greatly aided by features available on the Webfolio site.

Eligibility

Citizen of a country in which AFP operates.
An internationally recognized master's or other postgraduate degree in an AFP-supported discipline (awarded by September of the year of application) from an institution of higher education outside the AFP region. A PhD or local equivalent is strongly desired, as the applicant must be qualified to teach in a local university department. Master's degree holders with an interest in pursuing doctoral degrees locally are welcome to apply.
A commitment to a career in higher education in the region, and a strong drive to participate in reform efforts in the academic field.
A desire to take advantage of opportunities for professional development and building academic cooperation and networks.
For those already working at a university, the home department must be selected as a partner by AFP for them to be eligible, unless they are willing to discuss moving to an AFP partner department at a different university. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to contact their regional or local office for more information before applying.

Deadline

The application deadline for this fellowship has passed. Please check back in early 2010 for a new call for applications for the 2010-2011 academic year.