Open Society Institute
International Higher Education Support Program
Academic Fellowship Program
The Returning Scholars Fellowship Program (RSFP) invites applications from talented scholars who seek university positions and academic careers in their home countries after studying abroad. The program is open to citizens of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Tajikistan and Ukraine.
RSFP welcomes scholars from these countries who graduated (or will graduate by September, 2006) from a Western-accredited university, where they received a postgraduate degree in anthropology, area/cultural studies, gender studies, economics, history, political science, international relations, psychology, public administration, philosophy, social work, sociology, human rights & public law, and journalism/media studies.
RSFP helps universities in the region retain promising young scholars, who are essential to the revitalization of departments and to the sustainability of higher education reforms. The program represents a conscious strategy to combat "brain drain" by offering financial, institutional and professional development support, as well as further opportunities as AFP alumni.
A list of current AFP partner departments can be found on our website. The list is subject to change in the 2006-07 academic year, and applicants are advised to explore placement possibilities with their respective Region Manager or Country Coordinator.
Fellowships include a monthly stipend and various allowances, including professional development funds, in addition to the opportunity to participate in departmental and professional development projects.
Applications deadline: February 15, 2006.
Applications may be accepted after the deadline if fellowships remain unfilled. Fellowships begin in August or September 2006 and normally last one academic year, with the possibility of renewal.
For applications and guidelines, please see our web site: http://www.soros.org/initiatives/hesp/focus/afp/grants/rsfp
Academic Fellowship Program
Higher Education Support Program
Open Society Institute
Nador utca 11, H-1051, Budapest, Hungary
Tel: 36-1-235 6160; Fax: 36-1- 411 44 01
Email: afp@osi.hu