Grants & Competitions

American Academic Research Institute in Iraq (TAARII)
Best U.S. Doctoral Dissertation on Iraq Prize
The American Academic Research Institute in Iraq (TAARII) announces bi-annual prizes for the best U.S. doctoral dissertations on Iraq. Dissertations defended during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 academic year are eligible and may come from any discipline for the study of any time period. One award of $1,500 will be made for the best dissertation on ancient Iraq and one award of $1,500 will be made for the best dissertation on medieval or modern Iraq. Letters of nomination should come from dissertation advisors or committee members, should explain the importance of the dissertation, and should accompany a complete copy of the dissertation manuscript. Please send all nominations/submissions, along with contact information for dissertation authors, to: The American Academic Research Institute in Iraq, 1507 E. 53rd Street, Suite 920, Chicago IL 60615. Electronic submissions are preferred. Queries may be addressed to Stephanie Platz, Executive Director, at stephanie@taarii.org. Deadline: July 1, 2009.

American Institute for Yemeni Studies (AIYS)
Mellon Research Fellowships in Yemen for 2009-2010
Fellowship Program:  The American Institute for Yemeni Studies (AIYS) is pleased to invite applications for Mellon Research Fellowships in Yemen for 2009-2010.  AIYS is offering two fellowships to scholars who are citizens of—and who are permanent residents of—East European and Baltic countries including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia,  Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. They may engage in individual advanced research projects in any research field of the humanities or the social sciences involving Yemen.  The fellowships are for two to three months for research to be carried out in affiliation with the AIYS center in Sana’a, Yemen. 

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has provided funds for AIYS to offer two fellowships.   Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Slovak, Bulgarian, and Romanian scholars are eligible to apply. Applicants must hold the PhD or its equivalent. Applicants who have previously held a fellowship under this program may apply only after five years have lapsed since the prior fellowship.  Preference will be given to scholars in the early stages of their careers.  Fellows are expected to devote full time to their projects and to participate in the activities of the Institute.
 
The program offers a stipend (up to $11,500) to cover the costs of conducting the scholar's research project for two to three months, including travel, living expenses, and work-related costs.

For details about the program, eligibility and application requirements, see the AIYS website at http://www.aiys.org/fellowships, or contact Dr. Maria Ellis, Executive Director of AIYS, at the AIYS Administrative office: American Institute for Yemeni Studies; PO Box 311; Ardmore PA 19003-0311 (610 896-5412; fax: 610 896-9049;  mellis@sas.upenn.edu.

American Research Institute in Turkey (ARIT)
Research Fellowships Programs 2010-11

American Research Institute in Turkey National Endowment for the Humanities/ARIT Advanced Fellowships for Research in Turkey, 2010-11
ARIT/NEH Advanced Fellowships cover all fields of the humanities, including prehistory, history, art, archaeology, literature, and linguistics as well as interdisciplinary aspects of cultural history for applicants who have completed their academic training. The fellowships may be held for terms ranging from four months to a full year. Stipends range from $16,800 to 50,400.

ARIT Fellowships for Research in Turkey, 2010-11
ARIT Fellowships are offered for research in ancient, medieval, or modern times, in any field of the humanities and social sciences. Post-doctoral and advanced doctoral fellowships may be held for various terms, from two to three months up to terms of a year. Stipends range from $4,000 to $16,000.

Kenan T. Erim Fellowship, 2010-2011
The Erim fellowship will support excavation or field study of excavated material remains at Aphrodisias during the summer 2010, $2375.

Applications for ARIT fellowships must be submitted to ARIT before November 1, 2009. The fellowship committee will notify applicants by late January, 2010.

ARIT Language Fellowship Programs 2010

Critical Language Scholarship Institutes in Turkish Language
The program supports intensive study of Turkish language at all levels, including air fare, tuition, and stipend. Courses are held in several locations in Turkey. The program competition is administered by the Council of American Overseas Research Centers. For more information, please see the program website at http://www.clscholarship.org/home.php. Application deadline: around November 1, 2009 to be announced.

ARIT Princeton Summer Fellowships for Intensive Advanced Turkish Language at Bogazici University, Istanbul
The program supports intensive study of advanced Turkish language at Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey, including air fare, tuition, and stipend. Application deadline: February 1, 2010.

Contact: Nancy Leinwand, American Research Institute in Turkey, University of Pennsylvania Museum, 3260 South St., Philadelphia PA 19104-6324 (215 898-3474; fax 215 898-0657; leinwand@sas.upenn.edu; http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/ARIT).

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.

Foundation for Iranian Studies
Best Dissertation Award 2009
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, 2008 and June 30, 2009 are eligible to apply for the 2009 award. Dissertations must be nominated by the author's advisor and be accompanied by the Dissertation Committee's letter of acceptance. Applicants for the 2009 award should submit two copies of the dissertation to: Secretary, Foundation for Iranian Studies, 4343 Montgomery Ave., Suite 200, Bethesda MD 20814. Submissions deadline: August 15, 2009.

George Mason University
Center for Global Education
Internships in Israel & Palestine
May 31 - July 29, 2009
This unique Internship Program begins with a week-long seminar in Jerusalem where leading Israeli and Palestinian experts, representatives of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), peace activists, and private sector and government officials will address the group and share their perspectives on the dynamics of Israeli-Palestinian relations. Site visits will be made to settlements in the territories, refugee camps, government offices, and cultural institutions. For the remaining eight weeks, students work for four/five days per week—eight hours a day in either the Palestinian territories—Ramallah, Bethlehem—or Israel—Jerusalem, Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Nazareth, and other locations. Internships are related to conflict resolution, politics, international relations or business and finance in Israel and Palestine. Students will receive 6-9 undergraduate or graduate credits.

For information, contact: Sarah Mournighan, Center for Global Education, George Mason University, 235 Johnson Center, MSN 2B8, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax VA 22030-4444 (fax: 703 993-2106; smournig@gmu.edu).

Global Film Initiative
Call for entries-Feature Film Production Grants
The Global Film Initiative is pleased to announce a call for the Summer 2009 cycle of its feature-film production grants program. Applications will be accepted from April 30, 2009 to July 15, 2009, and decisions will be announced in September 2009.

Global Film Initiative production grants are awarded twice a year, in winter and summer, to filmmakers whose work exhibits artistic excellence, authentic self-representation and accomplished storytelling. The granting program furthers the Initiative's mission of contributing to the development of local film industries while offering audiences a variety of cultural perspectives on daily life around the world. Monies received through the Initiative's granting program are used to support completion of film production, and to subsidize post-production costs, such as laboratory and sound mixing fees and access to modern editing systems.

This year, the Global Film Initiative will award production grants of up to $10,000 each to select applicants during its summer granting cycle. These funds are made available following the Initiative's evaluation of an applicant's completed screenplay and early film-footage, and may include a pre-sale option for exclusive U.S. distribution of an applicant's film by the Initiative. Individuals may submit more than one film for consideration per granting cycle but please note that only applications from qualifying countries or regions will be considered and that production grants are not available for documentary or short films.*

The Global Film Initiative strongly believes in supporting narrative storytelling traditions from around the world and invites all qualified applicants to submit their work for granting consideration. For Applications & Guidelines, please visit: www.globalfilm.org/granting.htm.

Application deadline: July 15, 2009.

*The Global Film Initiative accepts grant applications from countries in the following regions: Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Asia (excluding Hong Kong, Iran, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan), and Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand).

Hands Along the Nile Development Services (HANDS)
2009 Essay Contest
HANDS is looking for students to articulate the importance of our work in the form of an essay. Information about HANDS’ work can be found at www.handsalongthenile.org. Address the following questions in the form of an essay. References to specific programs, including HANDS’, are encouraged : How is community development in the Middle East important to the U.S.? Why is it particularly crucial to focus on Egypt? Awards include: first prize: $5,000; second price: $2,500; third prize: $1,500; two Honorable Mentions: $500 each.

Eligibility: Must be a registered full-time graduate or undergraduate student in an accredited college or university in the U.S. at the time of entry. High school students entering college in the fall of 2009 are also eligible for entry into the contest.

Contest Rules and Regulations:

1. Each essay must reflect the contestant’s own research, writing, and original thinking.
2. Only one essay may be submitted by each contestant.
3. Include a letter on school stationary from the Registrar’s Office, verifying your eligibility.
4. Papers should be no more than 2,500 words.
5. Papers may include text and graphics.
6. Essay should be titled, typed in 12-point font, double-spaced with 1” margins and numbered pages.
7. If outside material is reference, please utilize standard MLA or APA format.
8. The body of the paper must not identify the author to allow for anonymous judging.
9. Required Cover Sheet Information: title, author name, address, phone number, email, school affiliation and statue (undergraduate or graduate).
10. All entries become the property of Hands Along the Nile Development Services and will not be returned. Entries may be used in future publications of HANDS’ newsletter and other materials.

Judging: Essay submissions will be judged based on multiple aspects of style and content. All judging by HANDS is final.
Submit: Eligibility notification letter from Registrar’s Office and two stapled copies with attached cover sheet to: HANDS Along the Nile Development Services, Inc., 1601 N. Kent Street, Suite 1014, Arlington VA 22209 (703 875-9370; fax: 703 875-9371; contest@handsalongthenile.org; www.handsalongthenile.org). Deadline:  July 4, 2009.

The Harvard Academy
Scholars Program 2010-2011
The Academy Scholars Program identifies and supports outstanding scholars 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 community of individuals with resourcefulness, initiative, curiosity, and originality, whose work in non-Western cultures or regions shows promise as a foundation for exceptional careers in major universities or international institutions. Harvard Academy Scholarships are open only to recent Ph.D. (or comparable professional school degree) recipients and doctoral candidates. Those still pursuing a PhD should have completed their routine training and be well along in the writing of their theses before becoming Scholars; those in possession of a PhD longer than 3 years are ineligible.

Academy Scholars are appointed for 2 years by the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies and are provided time, guidance, and access to Harvard facilities. They receive substantial financial and research assistance to undertake sustained projects of research and/or acquire accessory training 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. Finalist interviews will take place in Cambridge on December 7, 2009.  Notification of Scholarships will be made in January, 2010. For complete information on how to apply visit: www.wcfia.harvard.edu/academy. Applications for the 2010-2011 class of Academy Scholars are due by October 1, 2009.

Institute for Advanced Study
School of Historical Studies
Opportunities for Scholars 2010-11
The Institute 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. Islamic history and Near Eastern Studies are among the School’s principal interests, but the program is open to all fields of historical research.  Scholars from around the world come to the Institute to pursue their own research. Those chosen are offered membership and a stipend for up to a year. The Institute provides access to extensive resources including offices, libraries, subsidized restaurant and housing facilities, and some secretarial services. Candidates of any nationality may apply for a single term or a full academic year. Residence in Princeton during term time is required. The only other obligation of Members is to pursue their own research. The PhD (or equivalent) and substantial publications are required. Information and application forms may be found on the School’s website: www.hs.ias.edu, or contact the School of Historical Studies, Institute for Advanced Study, Einstein Dr., Princeton NJ 08540 (mzelazny@ias.edu). Deadline: November 1, 2009.

International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX)
Partnerships in Collaborative Research (PCR) Travel Grant 2009-10
The Partnerships in Collaborative Research (PCR) travel grant gives American scholars the opportunity to obtain funding assistance for the travel of a collaborator from Eastern Europe or Eurasia for an approved academic purpose. The grant will cover the cost of international airfare, administrative costs for acquiring a visa and fees for conferences in which the scholars are presenting collaboratively. For detailed information about grant administration and eligibility, please consult the PCR Applications and Instructions, which can be found at: http://www.irex.org/programs/us_scholars/programs/uss_pcr.asp. For questions regarding PCR, please email pcr@irex.org. Deadline: June 1, 2009.

Journal of Middle East Women's Studies
JMEWS Best Graduate Student Essay
The Journal of Middle East Women's Studies invites graduate students in all disciplines to submit research papers to the bi-annual competition for JMEWS Best Graduate Student Essay.

The winning entry must successfully pass the journal's peer review process. JMEWS is the official journal of the Association for Middle East Women's Studies (AMEWS), an affiliate of the Middle East Studies Association. The journal is published three times a year by Indiana University Press. The editorial office is housed at the Center for Near Eastern Studies in the UCLA International Institute.

Located at the cutting edge of new scholarship, JMEWS publishes research informed by transnational feminist studies, cultural and modern historical studies, new forms of ethnography, and the emerging intersections of science and philosophy. The journal encourages research using innovative theoretical, epistemological, and methodological approaches. Preference will be given to essays based on original research.

Manuscript submissions should be double-spaced and use a 12-point font throughout, including title, headings, block quotes, references, and endnotes. Entries should not exceed 7,500 words.The author's name, contact information, and academic affiliation should be provided separately in order to preserve anonymity in the review process.

JMEWS follows the "Chicago Manual of Style" and a modified social-science-style reference system. For details, see the submission guidelines posted online: http://inscribe.iupress.org/page/journal/submission.jsp?pageType=submission&journalCode=mew.

Only digital files will be considered. Send manuscript submissions as an email attachment to: jmews@women.ucla.edu. Entry deadline: June 30, 2009.

Middlebury Language School
Kathryn Davis Fellowships for Peace: Investing in the Study of Critical Languages
Full Scholarships Available for Intensive Arabic Language Study at the Middlebury Summer Language Schools
Middlebury College is pleased to announce theKathryn Davis Fellowships for Peace: Investing in the Study of Critical Languages. These 100 fellowships are made possible by a generous gift from Kathryn Davis to address today’s critical need for increased language proficiency in the United States.
For the third year in a row, the Kathryn Davis Fellowships are being offered to cover the full cost of one summer of language study at the Middlebury Language Schools—from the beginner to the graduate level—in six languages, including Arabic. The fellowship covers the full comprehensive fee (tuition, room, and board), plus a stipend to assist in defraying program-related expenses.

For more information, please visit http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/ls/fellowships_scholarships/kwd.htm.

Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
Visiting Fellowships 2010-2011
The Fellowships are offered to support research in any area of the arts, humanities or social sciences that has relevance to the study of Islam or the Muslim world, particularly anthropology, economics, geography, history, international relations, law, literature philosophy, politics, religion, and sociology. Applicants would normally be scholars or writers at the postdoctoral or equivalent level, but senior researchers are also eligible. An academic affiliation is not a necessary requirement. Each Fellowship carries a stipend of £4000 and membership of the common Room. The stipend is intended as a supplementary award and may be held in conjunction with other research grants, stipends, or sabbatical salaries. Fellowships may be held from October 1, 2010 for up to nine months (though shorter periods will be considered). Obtain details and application forms from: www.oxcis.ac.uk. Applications should include a CV and a brief statement of proposed research. Two letters or recommendation should be sent directly to the Centre.  Address all correspondence to: Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies, George St., Oxford OX1 2AR UK (44 1862 278730; fax: 44 1865 248942; academic.assistant@oxcis.ac.uk). Application deadline: December 4, 2009.

Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
Imam Bukhari & Imam Tirmizi Visiting Research Fellowships 2010-2011
Applicants should be citizens of countries in Asia or Africa. Preference will be given to those studying classical Islamic sciences, although other areas in the humanities and social sciences will be considered. Each Research Fellowship carries a stipend of £3000 and membership of the common room. The stipend is intended as a supplementary award and may be held in conjunction with other research grants, stipends, or sabbatical salaries. The Visiting Research Fellowships may be held from October 1, 2010 for minimum period of three months. These Visiting Research Fellowships are intended to encourage interaction among academics from different traditions of learning. The Fellows will be expected to devote their time to research and writing and to participate in the Centre’s academic activities. Obtain details and application forms from: www.oxcis.ac.uk. Applications should include a CV and a brief statement of proposed research. Two letters or recommendation should be sent directly to the Centre.  Address all correspondence to: Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies, George St., Oxford OX1 2AR UK (44 1862 278730; fax: 44 1865 248942; academic.assistant@oxcis.ac.uk). Application deadline: December 4, 2009.

U.S. Institute of Peace
Jennings Randolph Senior Fellowship Program 2010-11
The Jennings Randolph (JR) Program for International Peace awards approximately 12 fellowships. Additional information about previous Senior Fellows, USIP and the application process is available online at www.usip.org/fellows/index.html. Residential Senior Fellowships each year allow outstanding scholars, practitioners, policymakers, journalists, and other professionals the opportunity to conduct research on peace, conflict, and international security while taking advantage of their time in Washington DC to make connections with other scholars and practitioners both inside and outside USIP. These prestigious in-house fellowships normally last for ten months starting in October 2010.  Fellowships are open to citizens of any country and include a stipend of up to $100,000. The application deadline is September 8, 2009.

WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY
Keston Family Junior Fellow
The Keston Family Junior Fellow is a position within the Institute's Project Fikra, a program of research, publication, and network-building designed to generate policy ideas for promoting positive change and countering the spread of extremism in the Middle East. It is a full-time, paid position with benefits.

The junior fellow essentially acts as Project Fikra’s face to the region, responsible for maintaining and building the network of regional contacts and organizing a small annual conference in the Middle East. The applicant should be capable of independent research and writing on democracy, countering extremism, and related issues for the PeaceWatch/PolicyWatch series, and may be involved in publishing other monographs and special reports. Additional tasks include support to the Washington-oriented programs and daily operations, regular review of Arabic-language media, and other support for Project Fikra’s director, J. Scott Carpenter.

Education/experience: A bachelor’s degree and significant research in a related subject are required. However, the position is best suited for individuals who have already earned a master's degree or have relevant policy/democracy work experience.

Additional skills: At a minimum, applicants must be proficient enough in Arabic to read news, conduct research, and hold phone or email conversations with native speakers from across the region; native-level fluency is preferred. Also requires familiarity with Microsoft products
(Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and logistics experience.

To apply, please send resume, cover letter, references, and writing sample (1200 words or less)  to: Larisa Baste, RA for Project Fikra, by email at Lbaste@washingtoninstitute.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Fellowships in the Social Sciences and Humanities 2010-11
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is announcing the opening of its 2010-11 Fellowship competition.  The Center awards approximately 20-25 academic year residential fellowships to individuals 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. Applicants must hold a doctorate or have equivalent professional experience.  Fellows are provided stipends (which include round trip travel), private offices, access to the Library of Congress, Windows-based personal computers, and research assistants.

For more information and application guidelines please contact the Center at: 
(202-691-4170; fax: 202-691-4001; fellowships@wilsoncenter.org). Download the application from: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/fellowships. Application deadline: October 1, 2009.