CONTEMPORARY ISSUES FELLOWSHIPS

ACADEMIC YEAR 2002-2003

The Embassy of the United States of America is pleased to announce the seventh open competition for the Contemporary Issues Fellowship Program, for academic year 2002-2003. The Contemporary Issues Fellowship Program is for policy makers, government officials, non-governmental organization (NGO) leaders or staff, journalists, lawyers, managers, law enforcement officials, and other professionals who are engaged in the political, economic, social and educational transformation of Russia.

The Contemporary Issues Fellowship Program provides opportunities to citizens of Russia to conduct research in the United States for four months. All participants are affiliated with U.S. host institutions (universities, research institutions, NGOs, and government agencies) which have resource materials on their specific research topics and specialists in their fields. For the fourth month of the fellowship, an internship option in a different type of host institution is available.

This program is a merit-based, open competition; selection is made on the basis of proposed research topic, demonstrated need for research in the United States, knowledge of English, and professional aptitude. Since the program began in 1993, over 300 professionals from Russia have participated. The Contemporary Issues Fellowship Program is developed, funded and supervised by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State with funds allocated by the Congress of the United States.

Categories of research proposals eligible for fellowships in Contemporary Issues for the 2002-2003 program: Sustainable Growth and Economic Development; Democratization, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law; Political, Military, Security, and Public Policy Issues; Strengthening Civil Society; Internet, the Communications Revolution and Intellectual Property Rights.

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THIS PROGRAM IS NOVEMBER 22, 2001.

All research supported by the Contemporary Issues Fellowship Program must be issue- and policy-driven with practical application rather than theoretical or academic, and must focus on developments and trends in Russia and/or the U.S.

Participants must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in written and spoken English and be between the ages of 25 and 55. Grantees must have at least three years of professional experience in the area of the topic proposal and hold degrees equivalent to, if not above, a Master of Arts or Master of Sciences. Participants are expected to begin their programs in August 2002.

For further information, please contact IREX :

Gazetny pereulok, bldg. 5, 6th floor Moscow, Tel: (095) 234-0144, 956-0978 Fax: (095) 956-097 E-mail: ci@irex.ru