SPONSOR: Social Science Research Council

SYNOPSIS: Funding is provided for support training in Eurasia Area Studies. This program supports projects that combine innovative, interdisciplinary methodologies with important archival and field research in high quality intensive language training programs in the summer of 1999.

DEADLINES: 12-01-1998

OBJECTIVES: The program takes special interest in research which substantively addresses on of the following broadly defined areas: Social welfare structures or set processes of economic exchange, organizations or property relations in historical, cultural, or social contexts; the conditionality or construction of regional identity or state sovereignty, the emergent role of non-state actors and international structures; and the organization, ideologies, or signifcance of science and technology.

The purpose of these awards is to:

• provide fellowships to promising students enrolling in high quality intensive language training programs in the summer of 1999
• provide financial assistance to secondary, college, and graduate teachers of the language and area studies enrolling in intensive language training programs
• supportcultural activities to enhance the language training curriculum
• support the improvement of existing programs and encourage the establishment of new in-country language institutes.

RESTRICTIONS: Successful summer language institute applicants will:

• be American credit-granting institutions that confer undergraduate and graduate credits to students, and in-service credits for teachers
• provide intensive training involving at least 20 and preferably 25 formal classroom contact hours per week
• offer training in the four skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking
• offer extracurricular cultural and other support activities.

Preference will be given to institutes that offer the promise of ongoing programs. Successful Russian summer language institute applicants will provide all of the above plus:

• additional support activities (such as language, computer labs, and cultural programs) allowing maximum exposure and ready access to communicative practice in the language
• training in the Russian language through the fourth-year level in the four skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking
• evaluation of students' progress on the basis of oral & written pre- and post-testing procedures, using nationally standardized instruments.

MONETARY: Past awards have ranged from $3,000 to $35,000.

CONTACT INFO: 810 Seventh Avenue; New York, NY 10019

Telephone: 212-377-2700

Last updated: July 7, 1998

Center for Civil Society International [email protected]