Grants

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 and professional development 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 Groups' activities will be greatly aided by features available on the Webfolio website.

Eligibility

• Citizen of a country in which AFP operates.
• An internationally-recognized Master's or other post graduate degree.
• A commitment to a career in higher education in the region, and a strong drive to participate in reform efforts in the field.
• A desire to take advantage of opportunities for professional development and building academic cooperation and networks.
• For those already working at a university, their 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.

To Apply

Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit their applications online at https://oas.soros.org/oas/. Paper applications can be downloaded below and submitted via regular mail, email, or fax. Paper and online applications are evaluated equally.

Deadline

The application deadline for this grant is April 15, 2008.