Deadline: 15 October 2012
Open to: faculty and artists teaching at institutions of higher education in selected countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Fellowship: round-trip airfare, housing, health insurance, and a modest per diem.
Description:
The Ronald and Eileen Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia at the University of Michigan invites applications for Weiser Professional Development Awards from faculty and artists at institutions of higher education in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia, Russia (Kaliningrad District), Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, the Slovak Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
Applicants are invited to propose projects in any field of research or teaching with a faculty partner at the University of Michigan. Candidates must have excellent oral and written English language skills.
The 2013 awards support short-term (3-4 week) research visits to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and include round-trip airfare, housing, health insurance, and a modest per diem. The Weiser Center will grant 5-7 awards for travel to Ann Arbor in March-April 2013 or September-November 2013.
Eligibility
Faculty and artists teaching at institutions of higher education in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia, Russia (Kaliningrad District), Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, the Slovak Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan may apply. Applicants should be actively engaged in teaching and must have a current appointment to which they intend to return. Junior and mid-level academics are especially encouraged to apply. All applicants must have earned a terminal degree, either their doctoral diploma or highest professional degree (e.g., M.F.A.) at the time of application.
Applicants should have a good command of speaking, reading, and writing in English. Applicants who have taken the TOEFL in the last three years should attach a copy of their score report. Personal statements, CVs, and letters of recommendation will also be evaluated for indications of English fluency. Per U-M policy, every visiting scholar must demonstrate English proficiency during an interview via telephone or Skype prior to arrival in the U.S. If a candidate is found to have insufficient English fluency, he or she will not be awarded a Weiser Professional Development Award and will be encouraged to reapply at a later date.
For all applicants except those working on projects at the University of Michigan Law School, you should locate and approach potential collaborators yourself, using the following process:
- Visit the University of Michigan website to locate U-M faculty teaching and conducting research on topics related to your own current research interests. Determine whether your research would be enhanced by a visit to the University of Michigan.
- Contact the U-M professor(s) that work on the topics that best match your interests. Most departments and schools at U-M list their faculties’ email addresses, and we encourage you to use email to inquire about the possibility of an invitation. In your email message, describe the reason for your proposed visit and the funding source which you are applying for to support this visit. You should also inquire about the best timing for a visit of 3-4 weeks in length. If you do not hear back within two weeks of your initial inquiry it is appropriate to send a second inquiry.
You will also need a J-1 visa for short-term scholars. Applying for the correct type of visa will greatly improve your chances of receiving it, and will also make it easier to obtain one in the future. More information about the J-1 visa is available on the University of Michigan International Center website.
Application
Applicants must submit the following by 15 October 2012:
- A completed application form
- Your CV
- A copy of your doctoral diploma or highest professional degree
- A copy of your passport photo page
- A two-page personal statement describing: a) the research or collaborative project you plan to pursue at the University of Michigan, b) your reason for applying for this opportunity, and c) how this opportunity will benefit your home institution
- An invitation from the University of Michigan school, department, and/or faculty partner with whom the research will be conducted; email invitation is acceptable. NOTE: Applicants intending to work with U-M Law School faculty members MUST contact the Weiser Center before contacting faculty members.
- One letter of recommendation from the rector or dean of your institution.
- TOEFL score report, or consent to participate in interview via telephone or Skype.
Please contact the appropriate source listed below for additional information:
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Russia (Kaliningrad District), Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan:
Email: weiser@fulbright.edu.pl
Fulbright website HERE
Applicants from the Slovak Republic:
Email: office@fulbright.gov.sk
Slovak Fulbright website HERE
You may find the Weiser Center website HERE and find more information about the original call for applications website HERE.