UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers' Fellowships Programme (UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Research Fellowships Programme)

Deadline for the submission of applications: 7 January 2011

The UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Research Fellowships Programme (UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers' Fellowship Programme) funded under a Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the capacity-building of Human Resources will aim, in particular, to impact on capacity-building and research activities in the following areas:

1. Environment (with particular attention to Water Sciences);
2. Intercultural Dialogue;
3. Information and Communication Technologies; and
4. Peaceful conflict resolution. No other research topics will be considered.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants, a maximum of TWO from each applying National Commission, must meet the following general criteria:

1. Candidates under this Programme must be post-graduate researchers, already holding either an M.A. or M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) and wishing to pursue research work abroad (preferably in their own region) with a view to enhancing knowledge in one of the four specific fields mentioned in paragraph D.1 below. Thus, those who are in the process of completing their Master’s degree must have completed it PRIOR to taking up their Fellowship.

2. Candidates must be persons of high intellectual promise who may be expected to make significant contributions to their country on return.

3. Candidates must be no more than 40 years of age. Thus, applicants born before 1 January 1971 will not be considered under the Programme.

4. The selected Fellow must carry out the research under the auspices of an academic supervisor in a host institution. Confirmation of acceptance from the academic supervisor is imperative.

5. Priority attention will be given to:

* Women
* Candidates from least developed countries (LDCs)
* Palestinian researchers

6. Candidates must be proficient in reading and writing the language of instruction in the proposed country of study/research.

7. Applicants must be in good health, both physically and mentally.

D. CONDITIONS FOR APPLICATION

1. Domains of research(a list of Suggested Sub-themes for research is provided in the announcement letter):

• Environment (with particular emphasis on to Water Sciences);
• Intercultural Dialogue;
• Information and Communication Technologies;
• Peaceful Conflicts Resolution.

2. Duration of proposed research:

minimum: 3 months
maximum: 9 months

3. Closing date for receipt of applications: 7 January 2011

4. Possible date of commencing research: Anytime from September 2011 onwards

5. Deadline for termination of research: December 2012

6. Place of study: In one or two countries abroad

It should be understood that upon termination of the Fellowship, the beneficiary must agree to return to his/her home country so that knowledge acquired may be put to good use in local research and training programmes.

7. Study arrangements:

Research must be carried out under the auspices of an academic supervisor in a host institution

8. Application Procedures
NOTE: Please refer to the list of invited Member States who are eligible for this fellowship offer.

All applications must be submitted with the required documentation on the UNESCO Fellowship Application Form. Each Member State may nominate candidates a maximum of two (2). It is the National Commission’s responsibility to select the two candidates whose applications it wishes to submit to UNESCO. The application(s) should reach the Fellowships Programme Section, UNESCO, 7, Place de Fontenoy 75352 Paris 07 SP before 7 January 2011 midnight and an advance copy may be sent by fax to: 33.1.45.68.55.03. or by Email to: a.zaid@unesco.org/l.zas-friz@unesco.org

The application must include the following attachments:

(i) The UNESCO Fellowship application form duly completed in duplicate. Two recent photographs (obligatory) should be included with the form.

(ii) Certified copies of degrees or diplomas (including transcript of grades) in duplicate. Proof of having obtained a Master’s Degree must be included.

(iii) A letter of recommendation from someone familiar with the candidate’s work.

(iv) A host institute’s letter of acceptance (i.e. the institute that has accepted the candidate for work should she/he be selected for a Fellowship). This letter of acceptance must indicate that the host institute confirms its willingness to provide the relevant research facilities required by the candidate in the chosen field of specialization.

(v) The certificate of language proficiency (on the UNESCO form) duly completed in duplicate for the language of the country of study (should this be different from the candidate’s mother tongue) issued by an official authority.

(vi) A detailed description, one to two page(s) (maximum), in either English or French, of the research work for which the candidature is being put forward. The research proposal should cover the following points:

• Why? The concrete nature of the proposed project’s contribution to the fields listed in paragraph D.1 above; its innovative, original aspects; and the scope and purpose of the research project. The candidate should demonstrate the reasons the theoretical and practical knowledge or training acquired at the host institution would be beneficial to her/his on-going research project.

• What? The expected results or impact of the research project being undertaken.

• How? Describe the proposed arrangements for conducting the research.

• Where? The proposed country where research will be undertaken (one to two countries maximum) and the name and address of the host institute.

• When? The timeframe explicitly stating the proposed starting date and the suggested duration of research which should be of three (3) months minimum and nine (9) months maximum.

• How much? A detailed budget estimate indicating the resources required for the candidate to undertake the proposed research. The amount should be determined according to the proposed duration and place of research (between US$6,000 to US$10,000). The amount should not exceed US$10,000. All figures must be shown in US dollars and must be included on a separate page. The amount indicated should cover, exclusively, the international or domestic travel costs for the approved itinerary and personal subsistence abroad, etc. (The object of this Programme is to provide research fellowships so it is considered that in most cases tuition fees will not apply). Applicants should be realistic in compiling their proposed budgets, and consider that an average of US$1,000/US$1,800 per month for accommodation and meals (including local transportation and incidentals) should not be exceeded. Applications where funds requested are judged to be excessive in relation to the objectives and importance of the project are likely to be considered for a smaller grant.

(Note: The following costs are not eligible: computer or equipment purchases; publication costs; attendance at conferences, unless a case can be made that such attendance is an integral part of the research and would make a direct and significant contribution to the outcome of the development of the research project.)

UNESCO and Japan attach the greatest importance to originality and quality. Consideration will be given only to well-planned research proposals which demonstrate innovation, imagination and relevance, and which promise to contribute to knowledge in the four specific areas mentioned in paragraph D.1 above.
Files which are incomplete or which are received after the deadline for application, as well as candidatures that do not meet the requirements mentioned above, will not be taken into consideration.
 
FACILITIES OFFERED BY UNESCO/JAPAN

The Fellowships financed by Japan and administered by UNESCO will consist of the following:

• A maximum amount between US$6,000 to US$10,000 will be awarded to selected candidates. The amount, to be paid in two or three instalments, is intended to cover research costs only, and will not be negotiable.

• No other costs will be considered and grants will be neither extended nor renewed.

 SELECTION OF BENEFICIARIES

A Selection Committee made of experts in the four areas listed above will make recommendations for the final decision of the Director-General of UNESCO. Applications will be judged on the basis of the merit of each application and its pertinence to the UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers' Fellowship Programme.

Selected candidates will receive a Letter of Award.

Candidates who have not been informed of their selection by 1 September 2011 should consider that their applications have not been approved in the selection process.

For more information: Click here 

Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP) 2010

New application round opens

5-8-2010

This application round is for courses with a fellowship application deadline of 1 October 2010 and 1 December 2010 and programmes with a fellowship application deadline of 1 October 2010.
Read more

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The Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP) are fellowship programmes designed to promote capacity building within organizations in 60 developing countries by providing training and education to their mid-career staff members. 

The NFP is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the budget for development cooperation.

Target group

The NFP is for mid-career professionals who are nationals of and working and living in one of NFP counties. Candidates from Sub-Saharan Africa, women and members of priority groups and/or marginalized regions are specifically invited to apply for an NFP fellowship.

Half of the available fellowships should be awarded to female candidates and half of the budget should be spent on candidates from sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, candidates from priority groups and/or from marginalized regions (to be defined by the embassies) are explicitly invited to apply.

• Read more about NFP priorities

Country-specific criteria

Next to the general eligibility criteria an embassy or consulate may develop its own country-specific criteria. These reflect the preferences of the embassy or consulate for certain applications. These criteria can be of influence on the selection process. For these reasons, candidates are advised to check at the embassy if country-specific criteria apply.
 

Employer support

The need for education and training must be linked to the institutional development of the organization the applicants are working for. This means that applicants must be nominated by their employers. In fact, applications without the support of an employer will not be considered.
 

NFP sub-programmes

The NFP offers the following options:
Individual fellowships for:

• Fellowships for master’s degree programmes
• Fellowships for short courses
• Fellowships for PhD studies

Subsidies for NFP alumni activities:

• Refresher courses
• NAA start-up grants
• Co-financing of NFP alumni activities

The fellowship

An NFP fellowship is intended to supplement the salary that the fellowship holder should continue to receive (at least partially) during the study period. The allowance is considered to be a contribution towards the cost of living for one person, whether in the Netherlands or in another country. It should be noted that NFP allowances are not sufficient to support family members, either in the home country or in the Netherlands.
The fellowship can also cover the costs of tuition fees, visas, travel costs, insurance and thesis research, as speciefied in the NFP booklet ‘Rules and regulations for fellowship holders’. Different conditions may apply to e-learning courses or e-learning programmes. These conditions are also listed in the Rules and Regulations booklet.
An NFP fellowship is granted for the duration of the programme. Whilst the individual candidates are selected for a fellowship, the grants are awarded to the Dutch higher education institutions to enable the fellowship holders to pursue the chosen sub-programme.

How to apply?

If you want to apply for PhD studies, master’s degree programmes or short courses you must first gain academic admission to the course of your choice before applying for a fellowship through the Netherlands embassy or consulate in your country. Also, you can only apply for an NFP fellowship if the course is on the NFP course list for that particular year.
In all cases, you are advised to contact the Netherlands Embassy, Consulate or local Nuffic Neso office well in advance for specific instructions, and to inquire about specific local procedures and deadlines, requirements and selection criteria. These may differ from the general information provided on Nuffic’s website or in the brochures.

More information

More information about NFP, including the application forms, is available at Netherlands Embassies and Consulates, Nuffic Neso offices or from this website under the four different sub-programmes as mentioned above.

NFP country list

view the NFP country list

Gates - Cambridge Scholarship 2011 now open

Applications for 2011 are now open

Application material for Gates Cambridge Scholarships and graduate admission to the University of Cambridge for 2011-12 entry is now available from the University's Graduate Studies Prospectus.

Most applicants will apply simultaneously for graduate admission to the University of Cambridge and for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship using one application form (GRADSAF). As well as the GRADSAF form, applicants must also submit supporting documentation (e.g. three references, transcripts and any other material required by the University).

Full details are available from the Graduate Studies Prospectus.

Gates Cambridge Scholarships are full-cost awards for graduate study and research in any subject available at the University of Cambridge.

The scholarships are highly competitive and are awarded to citizens of any country outside the UK.
Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded on the following criteria:

• intellectual ability
• leadership capacity
• a good fit with Cambridge
• a commitment to improving the lives of others

While at Cambridge Gates Scholars pursue the full range of academic disciplines and are spread throughout all 31 Colleges.
All applicants for the scholarship apply for – and must gain – admission to the University of Cambridge.

Asian Development Bank - Japan Scholarship Program

 Are you working on these fields? Do you want to further your skills and career on these fields?

• economics
• management
• health
• education
• agriculture
• environment
• natural resource management
• science and technology
• other development-related fields

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) - Japan Scholarship Program (JSP) was
established in April 1988 with financing from the Government of Japan.
It aims to provide an opportunity for well-qualified citizens of ADB's developing member countries to pursue postgraduate studies in economics, management, science and technology, and other development-related fields at participating academic institutions in the Asian and Pacific Region.

Upon completion of their study programs, scholars are expected to contribute to the economic and social development of their home countries.
The ADB-JSP enrolls about 300 students annually in 20 academic institutions located in 10 countries within the Region.

The ADB-JSP provides full scholarships for one to two years. 

Below are the eligibility requirements;

1. A national of an ADB borrowing member country (applicants from countries that are no longer borrowing from ADB are not eligible for the ADB-JSP Scholarship).
2. Gained admission to an approved MA/PhD course at an academic institution .
3. A bachelor's degree or its equivalent with superior academic record.
4. At least two (2) years of full-time professional working experience (acquired after a university degree) at the time of application. Proficiency in oral and written English communication skills to be able to pursue studies.
5. Not more than 35 years old at the time of application. In exceptional cases, for programs which are appropriate for senior officials and managers, the age limit is 45 years old.
6. In good health.
7. Should agree to return to his/her home country after completion of studies under the Program.
8. Executive Directors, Alternate Directors, management and staff of ADB, consultants, and relatives of the aforementioned are not eligible for the Scholarship.
9. Staff of academic institutions are not eligible for the Scholarship.
10. Applicants living or working in a country other than his/her home country are not eligible for scholarships.
11. ADB-JSP does not support applicants who are already enrolled in graduate degree programs.
12. ADB-JSP does not sponsor undergraduate studies, distance learning programs, short-term training, conferences, seminars, thesis writing, and research projects.

For application procedures, click here.

University for Peace - Asian Leaders Program

Are you from Asia? Interested in peacebuilding? Want to know where is Costa Rica? Want to go to two countries (Philippines and Costa Rica)? Want to have a masters program at UN-mandated University for Peace? Quires hablar o aprender Español? Why not?

I was part of the first batch of this program in 2007 - 2008.I got to know of the program via the internet. Now at least, you get to know this from me.

After preparing the requirements for application, I sent my application through LBC padala to Costa Rica. I spent about a little over a thousand pesos (about $30) for my application package. After a month or so, I got an email that my application was received and that I would be interviewed later in the month.

My interview took place at 4 am, Philippine time. So I had to wake up early and wash away my sleepiness by sipping few cups of coffee. It was a panel interview. Basically, they asked about my previous work related to peace and my interest in peacebuilding.

In a month´s time, I got the result. I was in.

This 19-month scholarship is a dual campus program. The first part is a 4-month English intensive course in Ateneo de Manila University, the Philippines. Then the next six months will be at the University for Peace in Costa Rica for Foundation Courses and other interesting courses. After that, scholars will return to the Philippines for contextualiation of peace and conflict courses in Asian perspectives and contexts. To cap the program is a choice between internship and research project. Most students, like me, opt for an internship in other countries.

For more information: http://www.upeace.org/academic/spec_masters/alp.cfm

Or put a comment and I will respond to your queries. Thanks..

Studying abroad starts here

If you want to learn a new language, meet different people and culture, advance your expertise and knowledge, and specialize in a field of your interest, well, why not study abroad?

Studying abroad will provide you opportunities and possibilities of becoming better as a person regardless whether you are new graduate or working professionally. If you decide to pursue your thoughts, here are some practical steps to plan your graduate studies abroad.

First, know your interest and field that you want specialize on. You may already have these interest and field as your undergraduate course. This is important because interest and background will help in deciding which graduate course you plan to take. Second, search for universities that offer the specific course you want. The Times Higher Education (THE) has a yearly world university rankings. You may check on potential universities and if they are particularly strong on the field you have chosen in the first step. You may ask your former teachers about your plan and seek their advice on what possible universities will be good for you. This initial contact with your former teachers will also serve as way of getting good letters of recommendations from them. Universities require such letters from former teachers to be admitted in the university. Third, if you have chosen a particular university, visit its website and know the facts, history, student population, professors, admission process, scholarships, accommodation and the city where it is located. You may pay a visit to the university if possible to feel its environment, people, and community. It will be great if you have relatives living in the area. They will become your connection to the city. Can you imagine yourself in that university and city? If not, go back to step 2. Fourth, get the information and details of admission processes especially the deadline. If you can apply online, go ahead. Make a checklist of the requirements. Many universities require some tests, such as English proficiency and Graduate Record Examination (GRE). You may contact the nearest test centers in your area for these examinations. Fifth and last, tell a friend or family member about your plan. This person will be your source of encouragement and assistance. S/he may even be more excited than you because s/he wants the best for you. And studying abroad is like a path leading to your best and the actualization of your potentials.

Do these practical steps in sequence. Do not dwell too much time on any of the steps. In graduate studies, time is essential because a graduate course programs can last up to two to three years for full-time students. Goodluck to you!

World a classroom, life a subject

We are all students of life. We live in a vast classroom yet shrinking due to technological advances.

This blog would provide you information and tips on scholarships, fellowships and grants abroad that can change your life and expand your view of this huge classroom. There are opportunities that await you. Certainly, you have a shot on these golden opportunities. What would this blog give you is to increase your chances of making that shot.

This is your chance. Don't let it slip away.

Be a global student. Be a global citizen.