Deadline:
February 14, 2012, 4pm GMT (email)
February 10, 2012 (postpark)
The scholarships aim to provide opportunities for independent postgraduate study in the United Kingdom for female Afghan students who have demonstrated both academic excellence and the potential to become leaders, decision-makers and opinion formers in their own country. Upon completion of their studies in the UK, scholars are expected to return to their home country to pursue academic career at Kabul University. Subject to satisfactory progress, the scholarships lead to the award of a PhD degree.
Applications are welcome in the field of law and related social sciences subjects (including but not limited to human rights, international relations, conflict resolution, human geography), political sciences and psychology.
Each scholarship provides three years’ tuition fees at the Durham University and a stipend to cover living costs (for one person only) for four years (the fourth year being a write-up period subject to satisfactory progress), as well as return air travel from the scholar’s home country.
Eligibility
The scholarships are open to female applicants from Afghanistan.
Applicants must:
* Be female nationals of, and normally resident in Afghanistan. Applicants who are in the process of completing their MA studies in 2011-12 at the Durham University are eligible to apply;
* Be a graduate of or working at Kabul University and intend to pursue academic work at Kabul University on completing their studies;
* Be graduates who have satisfied the entry requirements for the Durham University, including English language and academic requirements (to Masters level);
* Demonstrate exceptional academic potential, language competency, familiarity with the chosen field of study, and clear commitment to open society goals as evidenced by previous work or academic experience;
* Gain admission into one of the eligible PhD courses at the Durham University;
* Be selected jointly by the representatives of OSF-London and Durham University for this scholarship.
* Successful applicants are expected to return to their home countries at the end of their course of study.
Please note that if you have applied, or are applying, for other grants, fellowships or scholarships with the Open Society Foundations you should alert us to this in your application. While you may apply for more than one program simultaneously, you can be awarded only one Open Society Foundations scholarship or grant for a given period.
Employees, employees’ relatives (or former employees who have left employment less than two years before) of the Educational Advising Centres or local Open Society Foundations representations directly involved in the Open Society Scholarship Programs administration in the region and the participating universities will not be eligible to apply for these awards.
Guidelines
* Applicants should complete the University’s application form which can be downloaded below or from the University of Durham website.
* Applicants who apply by mail are required to submit 2 copies of the application package. Please do not send original documents at this stage. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
* Please note that you do not need to apply directly to the University for admission in addition to this scholarship. Your scholarship application will also act as your academic programme application.
* Please keep a copy of your completed application form for your reference.
The selection process runs as follows:
* All completed applications received by Durham University by the deadline will be considered by an internal selection panel.
* Short-listed applicants will be invited for an interview and an English language test (where necessary) in their home country in April/May 2012. You must be available for interview during this period. You will be informed by your local scholarship coordinators in March 2012 whether you have been shortlisted or not.
* Interviews will be carried out by representatives of Open Society Foundations and the Durham University where possible.
* The final awards will be decided jointly by the University and OSF. Candidates will be informed by early June.
Please note that all successful applicants will be expected to attend a one-month
preparatory academic writing summer school in August 2012. The Open Society Scholarship Programs’ Pre-Academic Summer Program is designed to prepare Open Society Scholarship Program grantees for a successful academic experience in the UK. Successful applicants will be provided with the opportunity to refine their research and writing skills through intensive courses in academic writing and social sciences. The exact date and location of the summer school will be available at a later stage in the selection process.
A copy of the application documents must be sent to Kate Sharples by e-mail to arrive by 4pm UK time on February 14, 2012, OR by mail (in two copies) with a postmark deadline of February 10, 2012 (see addresses and contact details below).
Contact
Please make use of all of the written documentation available to you including these guidance notes and the information available on the university web pages.
More information about the University of Durham and associated information on the PhD program can be obtained from the University of Durham website, and especially those pages on PhD study.
If you have any queries about these guidance notes or any academic questions, then you should contact either:
Kate Sharples
Fax or e-mail only:
Fax: +44 (0)191 334 6134
E-mail: k.e.sharples@durham.ac.uk
Or:
Emese Kovacs
Fax or e-mail only:
Fax: +44 (0)207 031 0201
E-mail: emese.kovacs@osf-eu.org
Electronic applications should be sent to Kate Sharples at: osf.scholarships@durham.ac.uk
Hard copy applications should be mailed to:
Kate Sharples
Durham University
University Office
Old Elvet Durham
DH1 3HP
United Kingdom
