Opportunities: Global Challenges Fellowship, African Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship Program, Yale World Fellows, and more

Global Challenges Fellowship

Call for Applications: Junior and Senior Fellowships 2016 – 2017

The School of Public Policy (SPP) and the Institute for Advanced Study at Central European University (CEU IAS) in Budapest, and the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) in Berlin invite applications from outstanding researchers from nine countries (Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, Turkey) to participate in the Global Challenges Fellowship program for the 2016–17 academic year. This unique collaborative program seeks to bridge policy theory and practice to generate mutually beneficial and groundbreaking exchanges between the two areas. The goal is to encourage fresh perspectives on some of the most pressing global public policy challenges by forging closer ties between policy practitioners and academics from Europe and outside the “established West.”

Outstanding practitioners and researchers are invited to submit applications that demonstrate innovative approaches in the fields listed below. The Global Challenges Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for skill development, academic research, professional experience, and involvement in the scholarship and policy work of host institutions.

Starting October 1, 2016, Global Challenges Fellows will spend seven to eight months conducting analytical and policy work and engaging with policy practitioners at SPP and CEU IAS in Budapest and at GPPi in Berlin. Although the precise timetable will depend on their research projects, fellows will likely spend more than half of their time in Budapest. During their stay in Budapest, fellows will be associated with the two institutes – SPP and CEU IAS – to varying degrees, depending on their backgrounds.

Fellows will conduct independent research with the goal of producing journal articles, book chapters and/or policy papers and will participate in a series of small working-group discussions and seminars. Other researchers and fellows at SPP, CEU IAS and GPPi will engage with Global Challenges Fellows during and after the fellowship year to build a community of professionals who share a commitment to improving policy outcomes on a range of key global challenges. During the fellowship, the three institutions will assist fellows in developing professional networks with the academic and policy research communities in Budapest and Berlin, laying the foundation for lasting engagement and exchange. Fellows will work on a concrete project in one of the two research areas listed below that leads to a publication in the form of an academic piece (a working paper or journal article) and/or a policy paper that builds on academic research. Fellows must have empirical material ready for analysis by the time they arrive in Budapest so that they can read relevant literature and work on formulating their argument and producing a policy paper or document during their stay.

The Global Challenges Fellowship is looking for innovative ideas and projects that deal specifically with issues of global governance and the most pressing global challenges. Within this broader focus, applicants can apply for junior- and senior-level fellowships in the following areas:

  • Peace & security
  • Humanitarian assistance & human rights

Download a PDF of the call for applications.

Eligibility, Qualifications, Experience

  • Applicants (in particular those working in the field of public policy) from Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa and Turkey are eligible to apply. Applicants must be residents of these countries at the time of application.
  • Applicants must hold an academic degree (master’s, PhD or equivalent) in the social sciences, humanities and/or law.
  • Applicants must have at least three years of demonstrated professional experience at the time of application. Those with at least 15 years of demonstrated policy-making experience or seven years of experience since earning their PhDs will be considered for the senior fellowship. Other applicants will be considered for the junior fellowship. Please indicate and substantiate your request to be considered for a senior fellowship in your cover letter.
  • Applicants must be able to communicate fluently (speaking and writing) in English, the working language of the program.
  • Applicants must have a demonstrated record of policy engagement and submit an innovative research proposal.
  • Full-time CEU employees and graduates are ineligible to apply within six years of the completion of their studies or contracts (i.e., degrees must have been received and contracts must have ended no later than December 31, 2009). Part-time or temporary employees of CEU are ineligible within three years of the completion of their contracts (i.e., contracts must have ended no later than December 31, 2012).

Terms and Conditions

  • The maximum fellowship period is eight months. Fellows will spend about 75% of their time at SPP and CEU IAS in Budapest and 25% at GPPi in Berlin. Applications for shorter stays (a minimum of four months in Budapest) will be considered only in exceptional cases. If following the standard schedule, fellows will arrive on October 1, 2016, and stay in Budapest until March 30, 2017, when they move to Berlin for a two-month stay, until May 30, 2017. The fellowship is not renewable and cannot be extended.
  • Fellows will work on a defined project in one of the two designated research areas and will be expected to produce a publication in the form of an academic piece (a working paper or journal article) and/or a policy paper that builds on their academic research.
  • SPP and CEU IAS provide stimulating environments in which fellows can devote themselves to their research and share their work with peers through weekly seminars and other community programs. Fellows have access to all CEU facilities, including seminar and conference spaces, computer services and library resources. They also benefit from CEU’s vibrant international atmosphere, its strong ties in the region and its location in culturally rich Budapest. In Berlin, GPPi provides a network and working conditions conducive to the more practice-orientated phase of the fellowship.
  • Fellows receive an allowance for accommodation in Budapest and Berlin as well as a monthly stipend. Fellows are expected to reside in Budapest and Berlin during their fellowship, pursue their research agendas and participate in the intellectual life of SPP and CEU IAS.
  • Senior fellows will receive a net monthly stipend of 2,500 Euros for the duration of the program to help support their stay in Budapest and Berlin. Junior fellows will receive a net monthly stipend of 1,500 Euros. In addition, all fellows will receive a housing allowance for their stays in Budapest and Berlin. Fellows also receive limited funds (up to 2,000 Euros) for travel to and from their home country and between Budapest and Berlin, as well as health insurance coverage.

Selection Criteria

Fellows will be chosen by a selection committee with representatives from the three program partners. The selection process will include interviews with shortlisted candidates. The committee will consider primarily the quality of the research proposal, publication record, research agenda, relevance and feasibility of the proposed project, record of policy engagement and proficiency in the English language. Applicants will be notified when their applications have been received and when the evaluation process has been completed. We will not share reviews with applicants.


Questions and comments
 may be sent to gcf@ceu.edu.


African Leaders of Tomorrow (ALT) Scholarship Program

The African Leaders of Tomorrow (ALT) Scholarship Program commemorates the late Nelson Mandela’s commitment to social justice and equity by supporting young African professionals to become leaders in public policy and administration. The ALT Scholarship Program will grant scholarships to young African women and men to pursue a Master’s degree in public administration, public policy or public finances. Scholarships will be awarded based on merit to young professionals from sub-Saharan Africa. The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) in collaboration with The Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) will implement the ALT Scholarship Program with the objective of contributing to a strong and effective public sector in sub-Saharan Africa.  Special consideration will be given to equitable representation across the continent and to the advancement of women leaders.

This program is undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), and The MasterCard Foundation.

The ALT Scholarship Program has two components:

  • An academic component where the recipient of the scholarship will complete a one to two year Master’s level program in public administration, public policy or public finance at a Canadian university;
  • A professional development component where the recipient of the scholarship will complete a comprehensive professional development plan which will include the development of a case study focusing on their home country, as well as exposure to Canadian knowledge, innovation and best practices in public administration and policy through mentoring, webinars and networking events.

2016 Competition (for study programs starting in September 2016) is open from September 8, 2015 to November 2, 2015. Candidates who contact us after October 27, 2015 might not be able to apply.

The ALT Scholarship Program is managed by CBIE, in partnership with IPAC and in collaboration with AAPAM.


Yale World Fellows

JOIN THE YALE WORLD FELLOWS CLASS OF 2016

Yale World Fellows brings 16 accomplished, mid-career, global leaders to Yale’s flagship leadership development program for a four-month immersive transformational journey. The program was established in 2002 and now has a network of 275 Fellows from 84 countries.

The Program provides the opportunity for World Fellows to contribute to Yale’s intellectual life, participate in events, collaborate with peers, audit classes, mentor students and lead round-table discussions. In doing so, it exposes emerging global leaders to new ideas and ways of doing and thinking. Brilliant minds are refreshed, challenged and expanded.

Our Fellows come from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, but they share much in common: they are dynamic practitioners, capable leaders, of extraordinary character, and committed to using their energy and talents to make a positive difference in the world.

The mission of Yale World Fellows is to cultivate and empower a network of globally engaged leaders committed to making the world a better place.

OUR GOALS

  • LEADERSHIPTo strengthen the knowledge and skills essential for global leadership.
  • SERVICE To provide opportunity to serve others through sharing knowledge and experience, and collaborating on initiatives.
  • NETWORK To grow a global community of people with shared values, connected to each other and to Yale.

The PROGRAM

During the four month program (from mid-August to mid-December), Yale World Fellows are fully immersed in the University community. They share their expertise and ideas in classes and seminars across Yale and New Haven.

Learn more about the building blocks of our Program:

THE SEMINAR

The cornerstone of the Yale World Fellows Program is a 15-week global affairs colloquium taught by renowned faculty from across Yale’s undergraduate, graduate and Professional schools. Through exposure to both classical philosophical texts, current academic research and practical thought, the program creates a real-world experience unlike any traditional academic program. Fellows are challenged to test their own boundaries, to think differently about their work to date and to consider new and potentially multi-disciplinary directions.

UP-CLOSE LEADERSHIP CONVERSATIONS

In a series off-the-record conversations, Fellows hear the personal side of professional trajectories and have the opportunity to ask hard questions to some of the world’s most gifted practitioners. The World Fellows have hosted leaders ranging from former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan; former heads of state Ernesto Zedillo and Tony Blair; U.S. Supreme Court Justices Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg; and award-winning writers Elizabeth Alexander and David Brooks.

SELF-DIRECTED STUDY

Fellows can audit almost any of the 2,000+ courses offered at Yale University with the opportunity to develop or continue work on individual or collaborative research projects. They also spend time building relationships with Yale faculty and students, giving talks and lectures and engaging in informal dialog and debate. Many get involved with Yale and local community organizations, providing a valuable exchange of ideas.

How to Apply

Learn more about applying to become a Yale World Fellow.

Applications to the Yale World Fellows program are accepted from across sectors and around the world.  Each class of Fellows is a unique group: geographically balanced, and representative of a wide range of professions, talents, and perspectives.  The 2016 Program will run from mid-August to mid-December.  Fellows are expected to be in residence at Yale for the duration of the Program.

Application deadline: December 2, 2015 11:59 PM EST

TO BE ELIGIBLE, APPLICANTS MUST:

  • BE IN THE MID-CAREER STAGE Fellows are at least five, and typically not more than twenty, years into their careers, with demonstrated work accomplishments, and a clear indication of future contributions and excellence.  The average age of a World Fellow is 39, though there is no minimum or maximum age limit.
  • BE FLUENT IN ENGLISH An excellent command of the English language is essential.
  • BE A CITIZEN OF A COUNTRY OTHER THAN THE UNITED STATES While dual citizens are eligible, preference is given to candidates whose work is focused outside the US.

SELECTION CRITERIA INCLUDE:

  • An established record of extraordinary achievement and integrity;
  • Commitment to engagement in crucial issues and to making a difference at the national or international level;
  • Promise of a future career of leadership and notable impact;
  • Special capacity for critical, creative, entrepreneurial, and strategic thinking;
  • Likelihood to benefit from participation in the Program and to contribute to global understanding at Yale;
  • Commitment to a rigorous program of activities, to full-time residence at Yale for the entire duration of the program, and to mentoring students and speaking frequently on campus

n  APPLICATION PROCESS OVERVIEW:

  • Please note that application for admission to the Yale World Fellows Program is completely an online process. There is no application fee and there are no paper forms to complete or mail.
  • Prior to the deadline you are able to work on your application at any time and submit it when you are ready. After creating an account and accessing the online application you can upload materials and request your letters of recommendation.
  • Most questions about the Program and the application process can be answered by reviewing this website and the common questions.  If your question is unanswered, you may contact staff at worldfellows@yale.edu. Please do not send multiple emails regarding one issue, and please do not email staff individually. We thank you for your patience in allowing staff adequate time to thoughtfully process your inquiries.

COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

  • A taxable stipend to cover the costs of living in New Haven
  • A modest, furnished apartment for the duration of the Program
  • Medical insurance
  • Roundtrip travel from home country

Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa: Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowship

Supporting the next generation of African researchers working on peace, security and development issues

Open for applications, next deadline is November 13th 2015. Apply Now

The Social Science Research Council offers fellowships to support the completion of doctoral degrees and to promote next generation social science research in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. The fellowships support dissertation research on peace, security, and development topics.

The doctoral dissertation research fellowship supports 6-12 months of dissertation research costs of up to US$15,000 on a topic related to peace, security, and development.

Eligibility:

All applicants must:

  • be citizens of and reside in a sub-Saharan African country
  • hold a master’s degree
  • be enrolled in a PhD program at an accredited university in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, or Uganda
  • have an approved dissertation research proposal

As of May 2015, the program prioritizes applicants holding a faculty position or demonstrating a durable commitment to higher education, but does not restrict eligibility to such individuals.

The program seeks to promote diversity and encourages women to apply.

Thematic Priorities:

The project features a thematic focus in order to renew basic research agendas addressing peace, security, and development topics as well as strengthen interdisciplinary social science research capacity on these issues. This program also offers two workshops each year to help fellows develop and strengthen research questions, match research methods to questions, engage key literature in their fields, and produce research publications.

The program encourages innovative research on peace, security, and development topics, moving the boundaries of scholarship and research by exploring concrete linkages between these themes. We envision supporting a diverse set of projects seeking to shed light on a range of economic, political, and social processes using evidence-based research.

Some projects, we hope, will examine large-scale phenomena and others small-scale social processes. The strongest projects typically will explore connections across these scales. Some research projects will rigorously explore elements of civil society, human rights, peacebuilding mechanisms, and rule of law. Others will explore root causes of conflict, human insecurity, and violence. Above all projects should advance important fields of study and social science knowledge.

Application Process:

All applications must be submitted using the online application portal.

Strong proposals will offer clear and concise descriptions of the project and its significance. Proposals should display thorough knowledge of the relevant social science literature that applicants will engage and the methodologies relevant to the project. In addition, applicants must demonstrate that all proposed activities are feasible and can be completed in a timely manner. All proposals will be evaluated for these criteria by an independent, international committee of leading scholars from a range of social science disciplines.

Fellows must be willing to attend two workshops sponsored by the SSRC each year that are intended to help early-career faculty produce scholarly publications. We anticipate awarding as many as 45 fellowships in total across all categories each year.

Deadline:

The next application deadline is 13 November, 2015.

For inquiries or technical questions pertaining to the online application portal, please contact SSRC staff from the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa Program: nextgenafrica@ssrc.org

This program is funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Program Director

Thomas Asher

Contact

Natalie Reinhart

Additional Information

Frequently Asked Questions for the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa Fellowship Program

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