Embassy of the United States Doha, Qatar

CELF allows university teachers and scholars from the MENA region to spend four months (one academic semester) at Syracuse University to:  1) promote democracy and international standards in social science education in MENA countries; 2) develop their civil society capacity on the university policy level; 3) enhance the quality of education through improved curricula development and delivery, increased institutional capacity, and expanded student and faculty engagement; and 4) further develop the critical thinking and analytic capabilities of educators on civic education.

 CELF is open to individuals working in an accredited institution of higher education for a minimum of five years in social science disciplines.  Though Ph.D.s (completed or in progress) are preferred, the minimum requirement for the candidates is a completed Master's degree in one of these fields.

 The ideal candidate for the CELF project:

-- has at least five years of experience working in social science disciplines, including but not limited to political science, public administration, law, media, journalism, and communications;

-- has completed or is working through a Ph.D.  (The minimum requirement is that a candidate will have completed a Master's degree in one of these fields:  social science disciplines, including political science, public administration, law, media, journalism, and communications);

-- has demonstrated a commitment and desire to remain working in this field for the foreseeable future, and an equal commitment to improving the quality and capacity of educational institutions in their field of study;

-- has exhibited leadership skills and the capacity to apply opportunities presented in this project in a way that would benefit an education institution, organization, sector, and/or community;

-- has a level of English language fluency to function successfully in a high-level academic and professional environment;

-- has not already completed an academic degree or resided in the United States, and is not subject to J Visa restrictions; and

-- has letters of support from the institution that will allow the applicant to study in the United States Fall 2012 OR Spring 2013.
Note:  Applicants must indicate their availability for each term, as well as their preferred term.  End note.

 Syracuse University will match each Fellow with faculty members on campus who may serve as mentors and contacts - and develop
individual work plans for the three substantive areas of the project, namely:  

1) curriculum development,

2) teaching and research skills development, and

3) professional enhancement and networking activities.  The project will work with Fellows before they arrive in the United States on their individualized work plans
so that they can maximize their time while they are on campus.

MEPI will cover all international and domestic travel, health insurance, housing in shared apartments, and a moderate living stipend in the United States for all Fellows participating in the project.  All Fellows will travel to the United States in unaccompanied status.

Applicants will be expected to submit a current resume and two essays of no more than 500 words each, written in English, which
answer the following questions:

-- What hopes and plans do you have for improving the quality and capacity of your educational institution in your field of study? How do you see yourself leading this change?

-- What are the prospects for greater civic engagement in solving social problems and fostering participatory democracy in your
country, and what role do you see yourself and your institution playing in this regard?

 The Fellows will spend approximately four months in residence at Syracuse University.  In 2012-13, CELF will host two groups of Fellows:  late August to early December 2012 and late January to mid-May 2013.

The deadline is , by May 21, 2012, posts are requested to submit the resumes and personal essays of their nominees .