[CivilSoc] Muskie/FSA Graduate Fellowship Program

[Andrew Segars]

2003 EDMUND S. MUSKIE/FREEDOM SUPPORT ACT GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Government of the United States of America is pleased to announce the 2003 Edmund S. Muskie/FREEDOM Support Act (FSA) Graduate Fellowship Program.  Established by the U.S. Congress in 1992 to encourage economic and democratic growth in Eurasia, the Muskie/FSA Program is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State (ECA), currently administered by the American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS and the Open Society Institute (OSI).  Citizens of the following countries are eligible to apply to the 2003 program: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. (see below for application information)
The Muskie/FSA Graduate Fellowship Program provides fellowships to citizens of the countries listed above for graduate level programs in business administration, economics, education, environmental management and policy, international affairs, journalism and mass communications, law, library and information science, public administration, public health, and public policy.  It is the goal of the Muskie/FSA Program that Fellows, upon their return home, will further contribute to the economic and democratic growth of their countries and serve as leaders in the targeted fields of study.  
Academic programs will begin in the summer or early fall of 2003.  Fellows will be placed at academic institutions throughout the United States to take part in graduate programs that are from one to two years in length.  Most programs lead to a master's degree or certificate from a U.S. institution, depending on the field of specialization, type of program, and the needs of the candidate.
Muskie/FSA Fellows are enrolled in U.S. higher educational institutions according to their academic interests and professional goals.  Fellows may not select their U.S. host universities.  Independent applications to U.S. universities neither disqualify applicants from consideration for the Muskie/FSA Program, nor do they enable participants to select their host universities, if they are chosen for the Muskie/FSA Program.  During their term of study, Muskie/FSA Fellows must meet the academic standards and requirements of the Muskie/FSA Program and their U.S. host universities.  Fellows who successfully complete one academic year of study will have the opportunity to participate in a twelve-week internship for practical training in their field of specialization.
IMPORTANT: Under the terms of the grant and laws governing the J-1 visa required for participation in the Muskie/FSA Program, Muskie/FSA Fellows must return to their home countries immediately upon completion of their fellowships for a period of at least two years.  Fellows may not continue for Ph.D. or other studies, and are not eligible for extended practical training or employment in the United States.  NO requests for visa extensions, waivers, or transfers will be granted under any circumstances.
Eligibility Requirements
The Muskie/FSA Program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national and ethnic origin, or disability.  Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.  Competition for the Muskie/FSA Program is merit-based and open to anyone who is:
* A citizen of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, or Uzbekistan.
* Residing in one of the 12 participating countries at the time of application and during the selection process.
* Under the age of forty (40) at the time of application.
* The recipient of an undergraduate degree (five- or four-year program) by the time of application.  Degree must be in law in order to apply to the Muskie/FSA Program in the field of law.
* Proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application.
* Able to demonstrate professional aptitude and leadership potential in the field of specialization.
* Able to begin the academic exchange program in the United States in the summer of 2003. 
* Able to receive and maintain a U.S. J-1 visa.
* Committed to returning to their home country after completion of the program.
Individuals in the following circumstances are NOT eligible for the Muskie/FSA Program:
* U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States, or citizens and permanent residents of countries other than the 12 participating countries.
* Spouses of U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States, or spouses of citizens of countries other than the 12 participating countries.
*Individuals currently participating in academic, training or research programs outside the 12 participating countries.
* Individuals currently residing or working outside the 12 participating countries.
* Individuals who have participated in a program sponsored or funded by the U.S. government (e.g. USIS/PAS or other U.S. government agency) for a period of more than six weeks and who have not fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement by the time of application.
* Individuals who have applied for an immigrant visa to any country or who have requested political asylum in any country.  This includes individuals who hold or have applied for a U.S. "green card," or who have applied to the U.S. Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery.
* Employees of the American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS, their spouses, children and grandchildren.
* Soros Network Scholarship Programs (NSP) staff who administer the Muskie/FSA Program for the Open Society Institute on behalf of the United States Department of State.
Selection Process & Schedule
Competition for the Muskie/FSA Program is merit-based and selection will be made on the basis of academic excellence, professional aptitude, leadership potential in the field of specialization, and knowledge of English.
October 25, 2002 (by 17:00!)	Application deadline.  See pages 9-10 of the application packet for details on where you must submit your application.  Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
November-December 2002	Field-specific selection committees composed of U.S. academics, specialists, and admission officers meet in the United States to review applications and select semifinalists.
Late December 2002	Muskie/FSA coordinators in Eurasia begin to notify applicants of their mid-selection status.
January 2003	Semifinalists are tested and interviewed in their home countries. Semifinalists in all fields will be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  Semifinalists in Business Administration will also be required to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).  Semifinalists in Economics, Environmental Management and Policy, Journalism and Mass Communications, Library and Information Science, and Public Health must also take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).  The Muskie/FSA Program will cover the cost of the TOEFL, GMAT, and GRE for semifinalists.  Assistance is available from the Muskie/FSA Program to help cover the cost of transportation to and from the testing and interview sites for semifinalists with financial need. 
March 2003	Field-specific selection committees convene in the United States to review semifinalist files in full, including test and interview results.  Finalists and alternates are selected and university placements are recommended. 
April 2003	Muskie/FSA coordinators in Eurasia begin to notify semifinalists of their final selection status.
Financial Terms of the Fellowship
Funding will be applied towards the cost of tuition, room, board, stipend, textbooks, international transportation, professional enrichment activities, and accident and sickness insurance.  For Fellows in programs that exceed one year in length, the amount of funding provided by the Muskie/FSA Program during the 2004-2005 academic year will be adjusted according to the Fellows' internship salary in the summer of 2004.  The Muskie/FSA Program provides no financial support for dependents.  Note:  Opportunities for continued professional development will be available to alumni of the Muskie/FSA Program.
Participant Responsibility 
Finalists must attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation and may be required to attend a summer English-language program.  Muskie/FSA Fellows must uphold the academic standards of the host institution and undertake full-time study for the duration of the program.  Applicants should be aware that graduate students in the eleven areas of specialization must adhere to the established curriculum of the U.S. host university.  Fellows will not be able to undertake independent research and will not be permitted to change their assigned host institution or field of study once accepted to the Muskie/FSA Program.  During the practical training period, Fellows must uphold professional standards and meet the expectations of the organization sponsoring the internship.  Failure to maintain academic and professional standards will result in dismissal from the Muskie/FSA Program. 
Funding for the Muskie/FSA Program is limited and the program is highly competitive; not all qualified applicants will receive awards.
For applications, please download from:
www.soros.org 
www.americancouncils.org 
Andrew R. Segars
Program Manager
Muskie/FSA Graduate Fellowship Program
American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS
1776 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
tel: (202) 833-7522
fax: (202) 833-7523
email: segars@actr.org
www.actr.org