10 Fully funded PhD positions in POLITICAL SCIENCE and SOCIOLOGY
for the academic year 2015-2016

Joint programme SCUOLA NORMALE SUPERIORE and UNIVERSITY of BOLOGNA
The programme focuses on the following three research areas:

1. Democracy and social movements;
2. Comparative/global public policy and international governance;
3. Comparative politics and society.

The grant is of three years; a fourth year can be added based on merit
The activities will be held at the seat of Florence of the Scuola Normale Superiore

link: http://phd.sns.it/en/political-science-and-sociology & http://phd.sns.it/en/call-applications/

To apply please browse to http://avempace3.avempace3.org .

The call will be open until 15 February 2015, 23:59:59 CET.

Please note that no Master and no PhD degree scholarships are offered in this call for applications.

Furthermore, the login data mails are currently not delivered on gmail. Please use a different email provider to register.

The information page for the Avempace+ Project is available at http://www.avempaceplus.eu .

The AmericanConsulate General in Jerusalem Announces

The 2015Middle East Partnership Initiative Leaders for Democracy Fellowship Program

The American Consulate General in Jerusalem, the Office of the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI),and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) are pleased to announce the ninth year of the Leaders for Democracy Fellowship (LDF) program.  This program provides young and mid-career civic activists and democratic reform leaders from the Middle East and North Africa with the opportunity to complete academic coursework at Syracuse University and gain relevant professional experience in Washington, D.C. This program is conducted in English, and advances reform efforts in the Middle East and North Africa by providing emerging civic leaders and democracy activists the opportunity to spend several months in the United States to gain academic skills and practical experiences as well as networking opportunities with like-minded professionals. The academic portion of the LDF program will take place March 23 to June 17, 2015 and be hosted by Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in Syracuse, New York.  Fellowships will be offered at Washington, D.C.-based institutions and organizations.

The LDF project begins with six weeks of academic coursework that addresses topics of leadership, democracy, democratic transitions around the globe, comparative politics, civil society, communication, conflict resolution, and change management, among others.  Fellows are expected to be active participants in all seminars and workshops that include theoretical debates as well as active skills-building sessions.  Participants are also expected to lead discussions and make presentations to the fellows and the broader Maxwell School community.

Internship Component:  After completing the academic portion of the project, each participant will engage in a seven-week professional assignment with a political, non-governmental, or
public policy organization in Washington, D.C.  Through this component of the project, participants will gain practical experience about the ways that such institutions interact with government and civil society while also gaining valuable knowledge, experience, skills, and further professional contacts to benefit their respective professional pursuits back home.

Participant Qualifications

·         Applicants must be between the ages 25 and 40.

·         Applicants must hold a minimum of a bachelor degree and sufficient English language fluency to function successfully in American academic and professional environments.

·         Applicants should have at least five years of work experience and the capacity to apply the opportunities presented by the fellowship in a way that would benefit an organization, sector, or specific community in their home communities.

• Candidates must be Palestinian residents of Jerusalem, the West Bank, or Gaza.

Important Note:

• Participation in the program is contingent upon the applicant qualifying for a J-1 visa to the U.S.
• Holders of American passports or green cards are not eligible to participate in this program.

Application Deadline and inquiries:

Please submit your CV, and copy of passport no later than December 11th, 2014

Interested candidates must submit the following:

• Current CV or resumé
•  An essay written in English of no more than 1,000 words which address the following: 

-        The Leaders for Democracy Fellowship Program selects qualified and dedicated individuals from throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region who have demonstrated their potential to be leaders in their respective communities. Please tell us why you think you have the potential to be a real leader in your local community.

-        What do you hope to gain from this program and what are your plans to apply your experiences when you return?

-        What changes do you hope to bring about in your country during the next 5 years?

·         A brief biography of no more than 200 words that describes your personal background and professional experience as it relates to democracy building in your community. Please include your current position, recent professional affiliations, and any noteworthy accomplishments (such as articles published or awards received).

Jerusalem and West Bank Applicants: Email all application materials and copy of your passport to [email protected]and [email protected]. With a copy [email protected]Please call 02-622-7107 for more information or should you have any questions.

Gaza Applicants: Email all application materials and copy of passport to [email protected].  Please call 08-286-4623 for more information or should you have any questions.

1  HESPAL – Introductiont

HESPAL aims to help create the next generation of senior academics who can maintain international quality standards at Palestinian universities and to develop renewed, sustainable links between Palestinian and UK universities.  The Scheme will upgrade junior academic staff in Palestinian universities through a Masters scholarship programme.

HESPAL is funded by particiapting UK Higher Education Institutes (UK HEIs); a range of private sponsors (details provided on request); the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS); Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO),

HESPAL is managed and administered by British Council Palestine. 

HESPAL will cover masters’ scholarship academic fees (in the form of a fee waiver from participating UK HEIs); scholars’ living allowances and pre-departure costs.The scholarship will cover a period of up to 12 months’. It is not possible to extend these awards beyond 12 months.

The priority areas of study for the Palestinian universities include (but are not limted to):

Business, Economics and Finance; Educational Management; Political Sciences and International Relations; Human Rights and Governance; Agriculture; Engineering; Law, Management; Environmental Studies; Water management, Nursing, TSOL, Human Resourses, Ecconomics, literature, Linquistics, IT, sicience programs, Environmental Sciences and Sustainable Infrastructure, Clean Energy and Conservation Strategies, MA Energy Management, Energy Conservation, Sustainable Energy, ICT, nanotechnologies and energy

The participating Palestinian universities are: Al-Azhar University, University of Bethlehem,  Birzeit University, Islamic University of Gaza, An-Najah National University, Palestine Polytechnic University – Hebron, University of Hebron, Al Quds Open University, Al Quds University Abu Dees, American Arab University in Jenin University of Palestine Gaza University College of Applied Sciences (UCAS), Gaza, Al-Aqsa University, Palestine Ahliya University, Palestine Technical University Kadoorie,

The participating UK HEIs are:  Essex, London School of Economics Studies (LSE) (2 scholarships), Sussex (2 scholarships), Kings College London, Oxford Brookes, Newcastle,Lincoln, Nottingham, Bedfordshire, Salford (2 Masters in MSc Advancing Physiotherapy and MSc Health Service Leadership and Management,, Lancashire, Queen Mary University of London, Birmingham, Bolton University (2 scholarships) and Clare Hall, Cambridge University. . (please visit this link for the application) http://www.global-leaders.co.uk/applications-open-syrian-jordanian-palestinian-scholarships/.  

2  HESPAL – Summary of Selection Process

·       Each Palestinian university will nominate up to 8 scholars and will agree with their nominees the area of study mentioned above.

·       Applicants complete HESPAL application form in collaboration with their university, indicating which subject area(s) they wish to study. Applicants should specify at least three and up to five UK HEIs in order of preference but there is no guarantee they will be placed in one of these institutions.  

·       Palestinian universities send all applications to British Council Palestine. (To be received by British Council by  31 January 2015

·       British Council checks eligibility requirements are met.  

·       British Council sends application forms and accompanying documents (hard-copy, specially marked ‘HESPAL Scholarship Application’) to all UK HEIs offering courses in the subject specified by applicant.

·       UK HEIs provide British Council with a list of applicants they would be willing to accept, and ranks the top three in order of preference

·       British Council is responsible for final placement of students, based on the student’s ranking by the UK HEIs, the preferred UK HEI as expressed by Palestinian university (preferred list of up to 3 UK HEIs chosen by Palestinian universities in liaison with potential scholar) NB the placement of a student at their preferred UK HEI cannot be guaranteed.

·       British Council informs successful candidates at which UK HEI they have been offered a scholarship end of May 2015, UK HEI will make the decision.

·       Successful applicants then deal directly with the UK HEI offering them a place.

·       Owing to the number of applicants we can not discuss the status of any individual’s application at any time.

3  HESPAL - Eligibility Criteria

·       Applicant must be a resident citizen of Palestinian Territories

·       Applicant must be currently employed by the Palestinian university which nominates her/him, which must be one of the participating Palestinian universities listed above

·       Applicant will have a Masters degree from a Palestinian university [1] with a minimum grade of very good (and equivalent to at least a and equivalent to at least a 3.0 to 3.5 Bachelor’s Degree from UK.

·       Applicant must be below the age of 35 on application

·       Applicant must sign a written undertaking to return to their Palestinian university within a time frame agreed with their university, normally one year.

·       Applicant must have IELTS certification appropriate for course and university (normally at least 6.5, sometimes higher), Date availble for IELTS exam for HESPAL applicants at BC 16 November and 7 December for all applicants only. Places are limited I suggest you register now. January session woll be announced.

4  HESPAL – Required Documents for submission by University and Applicants

4.1  Applicants must provide the following supporting documents to British Council Palestine through the university coordinator within given deadlines:

• Completed HESPAL application form (including details of 2 academic referees)
• Certified Proof of Palestinian nationality and Palestinian Territories residency
• Nomination letter from Palestinian university
• Proof of employment at university
• Proof of academic / work record – i.e. Transcript translated into English including grades for each year of study of bachelor’s degree and certified copies of masters degree and degree certificates;
• IELTS certificate
• Signed contract between scholar and their university declaring that they will return to Palestine to their university on completion of masters degree after 12 months
• Signed release form from scholar permitting the UK HEI to provide British Council and scholar’s home institution with reports from their academic advisor

4.2  Completed Application forms and all other documentation must be submitted in hard copy each applicant should make copies of his/her application according to the number of universities he/she is applying for, eg. 5 universities I should receive 6 copies to your university scholarship coordination office by 25 Janurary 2015 . We will not consider late or incomplete applications:

4.3  A number of candidates may be invited to a HESPAL Scholarship interview. Any candidates invited to interview will need to bring with them proof of Palestinian identity and right of residency.

4.4  During scholarship

All masters scholars will submit a progress report and a final report outlining the outcomes of their study. British Council will be responsible for ensuring receipt, collation and dissemination of all reports.

5  HESPAL - Guidance on Completion of Application Forms

The Scheme is highly competitive and based on merit. It is therefore important that they complete the application form in full, giving as much detail as possible.

Part B

Applicant should state the grade of degree awarded to them. Photocopies of all relevant academic certificates and degree transcripts must be attached.

Part C

Applicant to provide clear details and dates of their professional career (if they have professional experience which is relevant and adds to their application. If they have no professional experience, this section may be left blank. This will not count against their application).

Part D

Applicant should carefully think through and state:

a) What they wish to study.  Please specify courses and institutions they have identified as appropriate for their field of study. 

b) What qualification they want to study for e.g. MA; MSc.

Part E: Referees

Applicant must name two people who will provide recent references about their suitability to study in the UK. These should be academic referees who should know the applicant personally and be familiar with their professional and academic career and competencies and be able to comment on them. The referees should also comment on the applicant’s academic potential and their suitability for the specific course identified.

Part F: Statements about applicants and their plans

In this section the applicant should answer each question on the application form in the number of words specified. This is a very important aspect of the application and a lot of thought should be given to the answers.

General Information

Applicants can find out about the participating UK universities and courses of study from the website www.education.uk.org or from British Council Customer Services or Scholarships Officer.

* An exceptions may be made if the Palestinian university wishes to submit an application for its best bachelor degree teaching assistant.

How to apply for a Chevening Award

Follow these six steps to apply for a Chevening Award:

1. Read this important information about your application before you apply 
2. Select your country from the drop down menu below
3. Select the Chevening Award you wish to apply for
4. Answer the pre-screen questions to see if you’re eligible for a Chevening Award
5. Create an account 
6. Complete each section of the online application form

FIELD OF STUDY

• Postgraduate (Master or Doctorate) and Undergraduate studies at recognized institutions of higher learning in the field of Shari'ah or Islamic finance studies equivalent;
• CIFP, only for those possessing Shari'ah degree or its equivalent, or currently attached to the Shari'ah department/unit of any Islamic finance institutions;

Are you a mid-career professional from a developing country with a track record in supporting the development of your country applying to or accepted at one of our partner or preferred university masters programs?

Alternatively, are you a Japanese national from a disadvantaged background with a passion for development, and applying to or accepted into a development-related master's or doctoral program outside of Japan?

Then the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program could be for you!

The call for applications from developing country nationals for master degree programs starting this 2014-15 academic year is open. This year, scholarships are available only to those accepted at our preferred masters programs or our partner masters programs.

Your applications can be submitted only through our web-based application process and before you receive your letter of acceptance from one of our affiliated masters programs. Go to JJ/WBGSP Developing Country Applicants  for details on eligibility and selection criteria, the application process, and benefits and conditions of the scholarships.