Five College African Scholars Program : About the Fellowships

About the Fellowships

Program update:

The program is not currently accepting applications. Please check back in 2009 for updated information.

Scope

Fellowships are intended for junior and mid-level teaching staff employed full-time in African universities. Fellows conduct research and prepare manuscripts for publication during four-month residencies, offered in spring (January-May) and fall (August-December).

Projects relevant to the study of Africa are welcomed in the humanities and social sciences. Applicants for spring residencies must address announced themes; for fall residencies a particular topic is not imposed. The Program cannot fund projects in the natural or physical sciences.

Benefits

Each scholar will receive a stipend of ,000 per month, subject to US taxes, airfare to and from the USA, laptop computer, housing, health insurance, library privileges, an office, and a modest research allowance.

Fellows will have the opportunity and resources to complete their writing projects in a vibrant academic community without the obligations of professional duties. Each fellow will be hosted by a faculty member at one of the Five College institutions who shares that fellow's scholarly interests. Fellows will be able to develop contacts with colleagues in related fields, participate in conferences, and explore other areas of interest, including the use of technology in teaching and research.

While the Program seeks to strengthen African universities by supporting their faculty's research, local institutions also benefit from the Fellows' wealth of experience, research, and insight into contemporary African realities.

The Program sustains connections among Fellows through an online newsletter and a series of grants to scholars and their home institutions in Africa.

Expectations

Research projects should be based on fellows' current research, which can be completed and prepared for publication during the residency.

Fellows will present their research in an interdisciplinary faculty seminar, conducted in English. Although teaching is not required, fellows may be invited as guest speakers in various classes.

Eligibility

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

Citizen of an African nation, who currently resides in Africa and during the past two years has not resided for more than three months in North America or Europe.

Employed full-time at an African university offering a Bachelor, Master or PhD degree.

Teaching at a junior or mid-level rank (Assistant Lecturer or above), no older than 49 years. Graduate assistants, tutorial assistants and non-teaching researchers are not eligible. The Program does not offer funding for undergraduate or graduate degrees.

Have a current research project in the humanities or social sciences which can be completed and prepared for publication during the residency. The program does not support projects in the physical or natural sciences.

Applications may be submitted in English, French or Portuguese, but scholars must have a functional command of English to take part in the residents’ seminar.

Meet U. S. Department of State requirements for J-1 exchange visitors. Regulations state that an individual who has visited the U. S. on a J-1 visa may not return on another J-1 visa until 12 months have elapsed.

Selection

Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis. Applications are evaluated by the Recruitment and Selection Committee on the following criteria:

Proposals should be thoughtful and well written, demonstrating relevance to the study of Africa in the humanities or social sciences. Proposals for January terms must address the announced theme.

Methodology, theoretical perspectives, and research tools should be clear.

Proposals should indicate what further research, if any, is necessary before the residency begins, as well as the scholar’s plans for completing the project by the end of the residency.

Applicants should specify how both they and their home universities will benefit.

Preference will be given to applicants who have not had similar professional opportunities in the past three years.

When awarded a fellowship, selected residents must provide a signed statement from their university’s chief academic officer granting academic leave during the residency and certifying the right to return to their position afterwards.

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	About the Fellowships Program update: The program is not currently accepting applications. Please check back in 2009 for updated information. Scope Fellowships are intended for junior and mid-level teaching staff employed full-time in African universities. Fellows conduct research and prepare manuscripts for publication during four-month residencies, offered in spring (January-May) and fall (August-December). Projects relevant to the study of Africa are welcomed in the humanities and social sciences. Applicants for spring residencies must address announced themes; for fall residencies a particular topic is not imposed. The Program cannot fund projects in the natural or physical sciences. Benefits Each scholar will receive a stipend of ,000 per month, subject to US taxes, airfare to and from the USA, laptop computer, housing, health insurance, library privileges, an office, and a modest research allowance. Fellows will have the opportunity and resources to complete their writing projects in a vibrant academic community without the obligations of professional duties. Each fellow will be hosted by a faculty member at one of the Five College institutions who shares that fellow's scholarly interests. Fellows will be able to develop contacts with colleagues in related fields, participate in conferences, and explore other areas of interest, including the use of technology in teaching and research. While the Program seeks to strengthen African universities by supporting their faculty's research, local institutions also benefit from the Fellows' wealth of experience, research, and insight into contemporary African realities. The Program sustains connections among Fellows through an online newsletter and a series of grants to scholars and their home institutions in Africa. Expectations Research projects should be based on fellows' current research, which can be completed and prepared for publication during the residency. Fellows will present their research in an interdisciplinary faculty seminar, conducted in English. Although teaching is not required, fellows may be invited as guest speakers in various classes. Eligibility Applicants should meet the following requirements: Citizen of an African nation, who currently resides in Africa and during the past two years has not resided for more than three months in North America or Europe. Employed full-time at an African university offering a Bachelor, Master or PhD degree. Teaching at a junior or mid-level rank (Assistant Lecturer or above), no older than 49 years. Graduate assistants, tutorial assistants and non-teaching researchers are not eligible. The Program does not offer funding for undergraduate or graduate degrees. Have a current research project in the humanities or social sciences which can be completed and prepared for publication during the residency. The program does not support projects in the physical or natural sciences. Applications may be submitted in English, French or Portuguese, but scholars must have a functional command of English to take part in the residents’ seminar. Meet U. S. Department of State requirements for J-1 exchange visitors. Regulations state that an individual who has visited the U. S. on a J-1 visa may not return on another J-1 visa until 12 months have elapsed. Selection Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis. Applications are evaluated by the Recruitment and Selection Committee on the following criteria: Proposals should be thoughtful and well written, demonstrating relevance to the study of Africa in the humanities or social sciences. Proposals for January terms must address the announced theme. Methodology, theoretical perspectives, and research tools should be clear. Proposals should indicate what further research, if any, is necessary before the residency begins, as well as the scholar’s plans for completing the project by the end of the residency. Applicants should specify how both they and their home universities will benefit. Preference will be given to applicants who have not had similar professional opportunities in the past three years. When awarded a fellowship, selected residents must provide a signed statement from their university’s chief academic officer granting academic leave during the residency and certifying the right to return to their position afterwards.