Grants & Competitions

Arab American National Museum (AANM)
2008 Book Award.
The Arab American National Museum (AANM) Book Award is now accepting submissions for the 2008 Book Award. The AANM Book Award encourages the publication and excellence of books that preserve and advance the understanding, knowledge, and resources of the Arab American Community by celebrating the thoughts and lives of Arab Americans. The purpose of the Awards is to inspire authors, educate readers and foster a respect and understanding of the Arab American culture.

We are accepting submissions (from publishers, editors or authors) for books published between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 in the following categories:

• Adult Non-Fiction in the areas of the Social Sciences and Humanities;
• Adult Fiction, including Arts and Literature
• Poetry
• Children or Young Adult, Fiction or Non-Fiction

For more information, please visit http://www.arabamericanmuseum.org/2008-AANM-Book-Award.id.444.htm or contact tlsfritzler@accesscommunity.org.  Submissions are due by February 1, 2009.

Canadian Committee of MESA (CANMES)
Graduate Student Travel Grants
For graduate students enrolled in a Canadian University—any field of Middle East studies. Contact: Paul Kingston, University of Toronto at Scarborough (416 287-7113; fax: 416 287-7283; kingston@chass.utoronto.c). Deadline: continually open, submit application two months prior to proposed conference travel.

Columbia University
Center for the Study of Democracy, Toleration and Religion (CDTR)
Postdoctoral Fellowship 2008-09 
The Center for the Study of Democracy, Toleration and Religion (CDTR) at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) of Columbia University invites applications for a two-year appointment of a Postdoctoral Scholar to participate in the research and activities of the Center. The Center for the Study of Democracy, Toleration, and Religion conducts research and training on the interfaces of, and tensions between, religion, toleration, and democracy in the world. The center runs graduate courses, supports student-faculty research initiatives, provides student scholarships, and develops new research networks.

The successful candidate will be expected to: teach a graduate level course at SIPA on ‘Religion and Democracy – Implications for The Twin Tolerations’ in the spring semesters of 2008 and 2009; teach a graduate level course at SIPA of his or her own design in the fall semesters on topics revolving around religion and politics; help coordinate a speaker series with religious leaders from the United, States, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia and West Africa; and help coordinate activities of the center that are close to the postdoctoral scholar’s professional and academic development.

Key areas that CDTR will focus on in 2007-09 are religion-state relations in India, Indonesia, Senegal, Turkey, France and the United States. The applicant should have interest and experience in organizing conferences, seminars and workshops in the field of religion and politics. Training in the following languages is advantageous, but not required: French, Turkish, bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Hindi or another major language of South Asia.

Applicants should have defended their PhD dissertations no later than August 2006. The fellowship period will start January 2008, if possible sooner. The fellow will receive a stipend of $50,000 including fringe benefits that provide health insurance and access to Columbia University Student Housing. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, a statement describing their research interests, as well as a writing sample, and arrange to have three letters of reference sent on their behalf. Applications will be considered on a running basis until the position is filled. All application materials should be sent via email to: Professor Alfred Stepan, Director of the Center for the Study of Democracy, Toleration and Religion (CDTR) at cdtr@columbia.edu; www.sipa.columbia.edu/cdtr.

Council for International Exchange of Scholars
Fulbright Scholar Program
Grants for US Faculty and Professionals
Announcing the opening of the Traditional Scholar Program on March 1, 2008. Research, lecture or combine both through single- or multi-country awards to the Middle East and North Africa. Deadline: August 1, 2008.

Two Distinguished Chair awards in Israel. Deadline: August 1, 2008.

For information, contact: Council for International Exchange of Scholars, 3007 Tilden Street, NW, Suite 5L, Washington, DC 20008-3009 (202 686-7877; fax: 202 362-3442; apprequest@cies.iie.org; www.cies.org). The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Foundation for Iranian Studies
Best Dissertation in Iranian Studies Award
The Foundation for Iranian Studies announces its annual award of $1000 for the best Ph.D. dissertation in a field of Iranian Studies. Students completing their dissertations between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008 are eligible to apply for the 2008 award. Dissertations must be nominated by the author's advisor and be accompanied by the Dissertation Committee's letter of acceptance. Applicants for the 2008 award should submit two copies of the dissertation to: Secretary, Foundation for Iranian Studies, 4343 Montgomery Ave., Suite 200, Bethesda MD 20814. For further information about the award and previous winners consult the Foundation's Website at www.fis-iran.org, Programs, Dissertation Awards. Inquiries should be emailed to fis@fis-iran.org. Deadline for submissions is August 1, 2008.

The Harvard Academy
Scholars Program 2009-10
The Academy Scholars Program seeks to identify and support outstanding scholars who are at the start of their careers whose work combines disciplinary excellence in the social sciences (including history and law) with a command of the language, history or culture of non-Western countries or regions. Their scholarship may elucidate domestic, comparative, or transnational issues, past or present.

The Academy Scholars are a select group of individuals who show promise of becoming leading scholars at major universities or international institutions. The competition for these awards is open only to recent PhD (or comparable professional school degree) recipients and doctoral candidates. Pre-doctoral applicants must have completed all course work and general examinations at the time of application and are expected to have made significant progress on their dissertations.

Academy Scholars are appointed and supported by the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies and are provided time, guidance, access to Harvard facilities, and substantial financial assistance as they work for two years conducting either post-doctoral or final-stage dissertation research in their chosen fields and areas. Some teaching is permitted but not required. The Senior Scholars, a distinguished group of senior Harvard faculty members, act as mentors to the Academy Scholars to help them achieve their intellectual potential.

Post-doctoral Scholars will receive an annual stipend of $48,000, and pre-doctoral Scholars will receive an annual stipend of $28,000. For complete information on how to apply visit: www.wcfia.harvard.edu/academy. Applications for the 2009-2010 class of Academy Scholars are due by October 10, 2008. Finalist interviews will take place in Cambridge December 12, 2008. Notification of Scholarships will be made in January, 2009.

Harvard University
The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study Fellowships
The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University awards approximately 50 fully funded fellowships each year. Radcliffe Institute fellowships are designed to support scholars, scientists, artists and writers of exceptional promise and demonstrated accomplishment, who wish to pursue work in academic and professional fields and in the creative arts. Applicants must have received their doctorate or appropriate terminal degree by December 2007 in the area of the proposed project. Radcliffe welcomes proposals from small groups of scholars who have research interests or projects in common. Please check the website for more information.
The stipend amount is $70,000. Fellows receive office space and access to libraries and other resources of Harvard University. During the fellowship year, which extends from early September 2009 through June 30, 2010, residence in the Boston area is required as is participation in the Institute community. Fellows are expected to present their work-in-progress and to attend other fellows’ events. For application, contact: Radcliffe Application Office, 8 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 (617-496-1324; fax: 617-495-8136; fellowships@radcliffe.edu; www.radcliffe.edu). Applications must be postmarked by October 1, 2008.

THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY is an independent private institution founded in 1930 to create a community of scholars focused on intellectual inquiry, free from teaching and other university obligations.  Each year scholars from around the world apply to come to the Institute to pursue their own research.  Those who are chosen are offered a membership for a set period and a stipend.  Members receive access to the extensive resources of the Institute, including offices, access to libraries, subsidized restaurant and housing facilities, and some secretarial services. 

THE SCHOOL OF HISTORICAL STUDIES supports scholarship in all fields of historical research, but is concerned principally with the history of western, near eastern and Asian civilizations, with particular emphasis upon Greek and Roman civilization, the history of Europe (medieval, early modern, and modern), the Islamic world, East Asian studies, the history of art, the history of science, philosophy, and modern international relations.  The School also offers the Edward T. Cone Membership in Music Studies.  Each year the School welcomes approximately forty Members.  Most are working on topics in the above mentioned fields, but each year the School also selects some scholars working in other areas of historical research.  Members in the School are appointed for either one term (first term Sept. 21 to Dec. 18, second term Jan. 4 to April 2) or for two terms, amounting to a full academic year.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS include the PhD (or equivalent) at the time of application and a substantial record of publication.  The School takes into account the stage of the scholar’s academic career when considering the list of publications, but in general applicants should have at least several articles already published in scholarly publications in order to be considered eligible.  Qualified candidates of any nationality are invited to apply.  Scholars are not required to have a current institutional affiliation. 

MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED to remain in residence in Princeton during term time. Members’ only other obligation is to pursue their own research.  If they wish, they may also participate in seminars and meetings within the Institute, and there are ample opportunities for contacts with scholars at nearby universities. 

FUNDING FOR MEMBERS comes from a variety of sources including the Institute for Advanced Study’s own endowment, grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Gerda Henkel Foundation, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The School will also welcome scholars sponsored by the American Council of Learned Societies through the Frederick Burkhardt Fellowships for recently tenured professors.  (Applications for that program must be submitted directly to ACLS.  For information see the ACLS website at http://www.acls.org/burkguide.htm.) 

INSTITUTE STIPENDS will normally be offered up to a maximum of $65,000 for the full academic year, or $32,750 for one term. A few senior scholars will be offered additional funding to help make up for losses in salary.  Up to three Assistant Professors who meet additional eligibility requirements will be selected for Mellon Fellowships that will provide full year support matching their salaries and benefits at the time of application.  (Detailed information about this program is on the website:  http://www.hs.ias.edu/mellon.htm.)  Stipends may be supplemented by other grants, including sabbatical salaries, but if the total exceeds the salary at the time of application the stipend will be reduced accordingly.  

Further information and application materials may be found on the School’s web site, www.hs.ias.edu.  Inquiries may be sent by email to the Administrative Officer at mzelazny@ias.edu or by post to:  School of Historical Studies, Institute for Advanced Study, Einstein Drive, Princeton NJ 08540.  Completed applications must be submitted by November 1, 2008.

INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION, SCHOLAR RESCUE FUND FELLOWSHIPS
Fellowships for Threatened Academics: Professors, Researchers and Lecturers
The Institute of International Education's Scholar Rescue Fund (SRF) provides fellowships for established scholars whose lives and work are threatened in their home countries. These fellowships permit professors, researchers and other senior academics to find temporary refuge at universities and colleges anywhere in the world, enabling them to pursue their academic work and to continue to share their knowledge with students, colleagues, and the community at large. When conditions improve, these scholars will return home to help rebuild universities and societies ravaged by fear, conflict and repression.  During the fellowship, conditions in a scholar's home country may improve, permitting safe return; if safe return is not possible, the scholar may use the fellowship period to identify a longer-term opportunity.
How the Scholar Rescue Fund Works:

• Professors, established researchers and other senior academics from any country, field or discipline may qualify.  Preference is given to scholars with a PhD or other highest degree in their field; who have extensive teaching or research experience at a university, college or other institution of higher learning; who demonstrate superior academic accomplishment or promise; and whose selection is likely to benefit the academic community in the home and/or host country or region. Applications from female scholars and under-represented groups are strongly encouraged.
• Fellowship recipients are expected to resume their teaching, lecturing, research, writing and publishing at an academic institution outside the region of threat.
• Fellowships are awarded for visiting academic positions ranging from 3 months to one calendar year.  Awards are issued for up to US $25,000, plus health insurance with the final amount dependent upon the location of the host institution, the cost of living, and the value of any additional contributions from the host institution or other source.
• Fellowships are disbursed through host academic institutions for direct support of scholar-grantees.  In most cases, host campuses are asked to match the SRF fellowship award through partial salary/stipend support, research materials, medical insurance, and other in-kind assistance.
• Applications are accepted at any time. Emergency applications receive urgent consideration. Non-emergency applications will be considered according to the following schedule:

Fall 2008: Applications received by October 1; decision by November 1.
Winter 2009: Applications received by January 15; decision by March 1.

*If you are a scholar from Iraq, or seeking support on behalf of an Iraqi scholar, please direct all questions or queries to the telephone number above or write directly to the Iraq Scholar Rescue Fund at IraqSRF@iie.org.  Kindly include "SRF Iraq Project" in the subject line.

Sabancı University
Sakıp Sabancı International Research Award 2009
Topic: "Pluralism in Contemporary Turkish Society and Politics"
The competition is open to all scholars in the social sciences and humanities working on contemporary Turkey. The selection committee will give priority to those submissions which have the potential for publication in a leading scholarly journal.
The Sakıp Sabancı International Research Award includes $20,000 for the first prize, $10,000 for the second, and $5,000 for the third. An independent, international jury will select the prize winners.
Conditions for the competition are:

• All entries must be new and original works, not published previously in any form.
• Essays must be approximately 13.000 words, including title, citations, and endnotes. (References should be shown in the form of endnotes.)
• An abstract of 500 words and a short CV of the applicant is required.
• Entries must be submitted in English by means of e-mail, in the form of an attached Word or PDF document to the following address:
• sabanciaward@sabanciuniv.edu
• Each submission must include a cover page that includes the following information: The applicant’s name, home institution and department, mailing and e-mail address and phone number.

Sakıp Sabancı International Research Award is named in honor of the late Mr. Sakıp Sabancı, a prominent Turkish philanthropist and business leader. The corporation that he headed, Sabancı Holding, is one of the world's largest family owned businesses. Mr. Sabancı was also the founder of İstanbul's Sabancı University, one of Turkey's leading academic institutions.The Award is designed to promote fresh thinking, new ideas, and original research relevant to Turkish studies conducted in any field of the humanities and social sciences. It is administered by the Trustees of Sabancı University and the prize winners are selected by an independent, international jury. Submissions deadline: February 27, 2009.

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Fellowships in the Social Sciences & Humanities 2009-10
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars awards academic year residential fellowships to men and women from any country with outstanding project proposals on national and/or international issues. Topics and Scholarship should relate to key public policy challenges or provide the historical and/or cultural framework to illuminate policy issues of contemporary importance. Fellows are provided private offices, access to the Library of Congress, Windows-based computers, and research assistants. For eligibility requirements and application guidelines, please contact: Scholar Selection & Services Office, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20004-3027 (202 691-4170; fax: 202 691-4001; fellowships@wilsoncenter.org). If you wish to download the application or apply online, please visit: www.wilsoncenter.org. Application deadline: October 1, 2008.