Think Tank Fund Fellowships

Guidelines

Introduction

The Think Tank Fund (TTF) of the Open Society Institute aims to support independent policy centers that strengthen democratic processes in their countries by identifying and analyzing policy options, consulting with the government and advocating their recommendations, involving stakeholders outside government circles in policy debates, and making their findings widely available to the public. The Think Tank Fund fosters centers that carry out nonpartisan policy-relevant research on political and socio-economic issues, and promote inclusive policy change that is open, transparent, and responsive to the public interest.

The Think Tank Fund pursues this mission through two distinct grantmaking programs complemented with a series of capacity-building and networking activities. To date, the Fund has a portfolio of some 40 grantees in 15 countries. This fellowship initiative is designed as an integral part of the Fund's capacity-building activities.

Fellowship Aims and Objectives

This fellowship scheme enhances TTF's mission and has the following specific goals:

• To enhance the professional capacity of junior researchers in organizing policy processes and developing innovative and quality policy products on current issues.
• To contribute to institutional development of think tanks—sponsoring organizations (organizations where the junior researcher is employed) by enhancing the junior employee's skills and motivation; and by generating new ideas and broadening professional networks.
• To enrich portfolios and networks of think tanks—hosting organizations (organizations that are willing to receive and mentor the fellow for a period up to three months) by bringing researchers with a different background and strengthening the host organizations' mentoring capacity.

Fellows can select any TTF supported policy center outside their country of origin as a potential host organization. Applicants should contact the organization(s) directly to develop ideas for the fellowships that can be of benefit to both parties. Every year, TTF will select up to ten young talented researchers employed by one of the think tanks operational in TTF target countries and will provide them with an opportunity to spend from one up to three-months in one of the leading think tanks in Central and Eastern Europe to gain practical experience.

TTF is currently operational in the following countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Ukraine.

For a non-exhaustive list of think tanks in Central and Eastern Europe, consult www.soros.org/initiatives/thinktank, www.pasos.org, or www.freedomhouse.hu.

Fellows are expected to engage in on-going policy research projects at the hosting organization under the guidance of a senior policy analyst and develop a concrete policy product. By policy product, hereby we understand:

• Research study / survey (fellows are expected to define clear tangible outcomes at the end of the study/ survey)
• Drafting a policy paper / briefs / newsletters
• Organization of an event/conference (thematic/content inputs on the event organized within the fellowship term)
• Any other policy related product / activity that benefits both the visiting fellow and the hosting organization (e.g. designing and hosting policy blogs etc.)

Eligibility

• Applicants should be permanent residents in one of the countries that are eligible for TTF grants (for list of target countries consult http://www.soros.org/initiatives/thinktank).
• Applicants must be full time employees at a think tank -sponsoring organization for at least for one year at the time of application and plan to stay for at least one more year. A sending organization could modify this requirement in line with their internal Human Resource policy.
• Applicants should not be older than 35 years of age at the time of application.
• Applicants must be fluent in written and spoken English.

Main Terms of the Award

TTF contribution is up to $7,000 USD for all expenses combined.

• Supervision and support from a senior policy analyst in one of the leading think tanks in CEE, organized by a hosting organization and co-funded by TTF (mentorship fees, up to 30 hours per month).
• Regular monthly salary (inclusive of all taxes) is maintained by a sponsoring organization during the fellowship period. If requested and justified, TTF could provide compensation up to 50 % of the full salary.
• Coverage of travel expenses (one return ticket, visa fees and other expenses, travel / or medical insurance) and of reasonable accommodation and living costs by TTF. For specific budget items, download the budget template below.

How to Apply

In order to apply, applicants should submit by email the following documents in English language:

• Motivation/cover letter
  • explaining a rationale, added value and expected outcomes of the fellowship. A brief action plan with clear benchmarks for evaluation of the proposed fellowship and a draft budget in USD to be also attached. A budget template is available for download below.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Standard CV including both academic and professional background, and a detailed description of the applicant's current job description and a list of maximum policy projects in which the applicant has recently been involved.
• Support letter from a sponsor organization in the name of the Executive Director /or President (both support letters should be printed on organizational letterheads);
  • The letter should describe the rationale, the expected outcomes and the added value of the fellowship to the sending organization;
  • The letter should be accompanied by a committal statement that the sending organization will cover the salary costs during the fellowship period.
• Support letter from a hosting organization in the name of the Executive Director/or President
  • This letter should explain the interest and benefits of the fellowship initiative to the host organizations,
  • The letter should be accompanied with bios of assigned mentor(s) and job description for a visiting fellow.
  • The letter should also include a committal statement that the host organization will secure supervision from a senior policy analyst (mentor) up to 30 hours/a month; and will render necessary support to the fellow in obtaining a visa and finding accommodation. A brief mentorship plan should also be attached.

Deadline and Reporting Requirements

The closing date for this call is August 20th, 2008, with an ending date for the fellowship as of May 1, 2009. Upon completion, OSI TTF expects a final report from both a fellow and a lead mentor.

Contact Information

Think Tank Fund
Open Society Institute
H-1051 Budapest
October 6, u.12
Hungary
Phone: + 36 1 327 3000 ext. 2244
Email: ttfapplications@osieurope.org (attn. Rukia Ushurova)