Social Work Fellowship Master's Program Guidelines

Fellows will be placed at universities in the United States for a two-year graduate program in social work beginning in July 2008 and concluding in May 2010. Participating host universities are the School of Social Work at Columbia University and the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis.

Fields of Study Offered

For more information on fields of study, please see the field descriptions.

Eligibility

The program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. The competition is merit-based and open to those meeting the following criteria:

• resident of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, or Tajikistan;
• holding an undergraduate degree (4- or 5-year) at the time of application deadline with an excellent academic record;
• proficient in spoken and written English at time of application;
• able to demonstrate professional aptitude and leadership potential in social work;
• committed to returning to home country after completion of the program.

Deadline

Monday, November 12, 2007

Criteria for Selection

Approximately 10 awards will be granted in 2008. Selection is based on academic and professional merit, professional aptitude, leadership potential, long-term commitment to social work in applicant's home country, and English-language ability. A U.S.-based selection committee comprising U.S. professors and admissions officials from participating host universities will review applications of candidates who meet the requirements and will select semifinalists. All applicants will be notified of their status by January 31, 2008.

Semifinalists will be tested for English (TOEFL) and interviewed in participating countries during February/March 2008. The program will cover costs associated with the TOEFL and interviews. The selection committee will recommend finalists and determine placement. Applicants cannot select their own placements. All semifinalists will be notified of their status by May 31, 2008.

Please do NOT contact your local Soros / OSI office about your status. The office will contact candidates after receiving notification from OSI–New York.

Financial Terms

Fellowships will cover the following costs:

• program-related travel;
• pre-departure and arrival orientation;
• all costs associated with the pre-academic summer school program;
• tuition (for pre-academic and graduate programs);
• monthly living stipend (to cover room and board);
• textbooks;
• professional development support;
• accident and illness insurance;
• participation in program meetings in the United States.

Visa Sponsorship

Participants will enter the United States as students on J-1 Exchange Visitor visas and are expected to comply with all visa regulations. Students may be subject to a two-year home residency requirement upon completion of the program. Requests for visa renewals or extensions will not be considered.

Dependents

The program does not offer any financial support or special provisions for dependent family members. Family members will have to apply for J-2 visas and may not be able to arrive in the United States until fall 2008.

Participant Responsibility

Pre-Academic Summer Program: From mid-July to mid-August 2008, grantees are required to participate in a four-week pre-academic summer program held in Istanbul, Turkey. The program consists of classes in academic writing in English, as well as social science and humanities-based seminars.

Fellowship: In addition to the summer program, finalists must attend a pre-departure orientation (held during the summer school in Istanbul) and an annual program workshop, held in the U.S. each spring. Fellows must uphold the academic standards of the host university and undertake full-time study for the duration of the program. Fellows will not be permitted to change their assigned host university or field of study. Failure to maintain academic and professional standards may result in dismissal from the program.

Contact Information

Azerbaijan

Baku Education Information Center (BEIC)
Attention: Social Work Fellowship
183 Suleyman Rahimov Street, 4th Floor
Baku AZE1014, Azerbaijan
Tel./Fax: +994-12-488-28-45/46
office@beic.osi-az.org
www.beic.aznet.org/

Georgia

Open Society Georgia Foundation
International Student Advising Center
Attention: Social Work Fellowship
10a Chovelidze Street
380008 Tbilisi, Georgia
Tel: +99-5-32-93-89-99
gaga@isac.osgf.ge
www.osgf.ge/isac

Kyrgyzstan

Soros Foundation Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek Resource Center
Attention: Social Work Fellowship
55 Logvinenko Street
720 040 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Tel: +996-312-66-34-48
rakia@soros.kg
http://eng.soros.kg/functions/programs/foreign/advising

Tajikistan

Open Society Institute Tajikistan
Attention: Social Work Fellowship
1 Firdavsi Street
734003 Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Tel: +992-372-211466 / 211958 / 214108 / 213260
Fax: +992-372-510142
osi@eicosi.tajik.net