Grants Available for Research in Central Asia and Caucasus

[Sheila Dawes]

American Councils Special Initiatives Research Fellowship

Application Deadline:  Applications for spring and summer programs are
due October 1: please note summer deadline changed to October 1.
Applications for fall and academic year programs are due January 15. 

The Special Initiatives Research Fellowship offers post-doctoral
scholars and faculty up to $35,000 for field-based, policy-relevant
research in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Applicants may apply to conduct
research in more than one country, but must plan to spend at least four
months in the region overall. Fellows must submit final reports
describing their research accomplishments roughly one-month after the
completion of their awards. 

In addition to financial support, Special Initiatives Fellowships
provide visas, international travel, and insurance. American Councils
regional offices located throughout Central Asia and the South Caucasus
provide ongoing logistical support - including assistance with visa
registration, housing, and medical care - to U.S. scholars in the field.


Eligibility: Applicants to the Special Initiatives Fellowship must: 
--Hold a Ph.D. in a policy relevant field 
--Possess sufficient language ability to carry out their proposed
research 
--Plan to spend at least four months conducting research in the region

--Plan to begin their projects no later than June 1, 2006 if applying
on the October 1, 2005 deadline (spring and summer programs) and no
later than December 31, 2006 if applying on the January 15, 2006
deadline (fall and academic year programs) 
--Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. 

Application Instructions: To apply, scholars must submit an original
and three copies of the following: 
--A four-page application form 
--A research proposal in English and in the language of the proposed
host-country 
--A research proposal bibliography in English 
--A list of proposed archives in English and the proposed host-country
language (if relevant) 
--Curricula vitae or resume in English and the proposed host-country
language 
--Budget form
 
In addition, applicants must submit one copy of: 
--The inside page of their U.S. passport, valid for at least three
months after their scheduled return to the U.S. 
--Two letters of recommendation (reference writers may send letters
directly to the American Councils Outbound Office) 

Selection Process: All applications are reviewed by at least two
outside readers with expertise in the applicant's specific
research-field. An independent selection committee reviews reader
comments and all application materials before making final awards.
Selection results are announced approximately twelve weeks after the
application deadline. 

Applications for fall and academic year programs are due on January 15;
applications for spring and summer programs are due October 1. 

For more information contact: 

Outbound Programs/ Title VIII Research Scholars
American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS
1776 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: (202) 833-7522
outbound at americancouncils.org 

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