International Fellowships Program
Dear colleagues,
In addition to the posting about the Ford Foundation International Fellowship Program, I would like to clarify a number of issues regarding that program in Vietnam. First, contrary to most other fellowship programs, this program targets individuals belonging to social groups and communities lacking historical access to higher education - who are disadvantaged within their society. Second, the program targets those individuals who have a demonstrated commitment to their community.
The program is managed in a decentralized manner, adapted to local conditions and priorities. In the IFP Brochure distributed in Vietnam, eligibility is decribed as follows:
"Who is Eligible for the IFP in Vietnam?
Residents of IFP countries are eligible to apply for awards. In Vietnam, applicants must be Vietnamese nationals currently residing and working in Vietnam. In addition, all IFP Fellows must:
* Be talented and hold a baccalaureate degree.
* Have experience in community service or development-related activities,
* Pursue a post-graduate degree that will directly enhance their capacity to excel in an academic, policy, practical, or artistic discipline or field corresponding to one or more of the Foundation's areas of endeavor,
* Present a plan specifying how they will apply their studies to social problems or issues in their own country,
* Commit to working on these issues following the fellowship period.
The IFP aims to support individuals from disadvantaged groups or communities that lack access to higher education. Examples of disadvantaged groups include people of all ethnic groups residing and working in difficult areas, rural areas, and women. Both State officials and people outside the State sector are welcome to apply."
The IFP is very serious about finding people from outside of the main centers, who normally would not have the chance to study overseas. The first batch of (18) fellows presented during the official launch in Hanoi on Wednesday June 20, 2001, is a diverse group of people from all over Vietnam, and consists of a large majority of women, of a large majority of people from outside of the two main urban centers (rural areas including mountainous areas), and has a large proportion of ethnic minority people (8 out of 18).
Second, in Vietnam the Ford Foundation IFP is managed by the Center for Educational Exchange with Viet Nam (CEEVN), an affiliate of the ACLS. The CEEVN contact information is as follows: Suite 602, 6th Floor, North Star Building -- Pho Da Tuong -- Hanoi -- Vietnam; Phone (4) 942-0897;
Fax (84-4) 942-4614; E-mail edex@netnam.org.vn.
Third, general information about the IFP can be found directly at the Ford Foundation website http://www.fordfound.org
I hope this information is a useful addition to the previous posting.
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International Fellowships Program
Blank Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program
Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program applicants must be resident nationals or residents of an eligible IFP country or territory. Currently, these are: Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, and Vietnam. IFP selects Fellows on the strength of their clearly-stated intention to serve their communities and countries of origin, and expects that they will honour this obligation.
Successful candidates will:
Demonstrate superior achievement in their undergraduate studies and hold a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent. Have substantial experience in community service or development-related activities. Possess leadership potential evidenced by their employment and academic experience. Propose to pursue a post- baccalaureate degree that will directly enhance their leadership capacity in a practical, policy, academic, or artistic discipline or field corresponding to one or more of the Foundation's areas of endeavour. Present a plan specifying how they will apply their studies to social problems or issues in their own countries. Commit themselves to working on these issues following the fellowship period.
IFP Fields of Study
Ford Foundation International Fellows may choose to study in any academic discipline or field of study related to the Ford Foundation's three grant-making areas, which are:
* Asset Building and Community Development
Community Development
Development Finance and Economic Security
Work-force Development
Environment and Development
* Knowledge, Creativity, and Freedom
Arts and Culture
Education and Scholarship
Media
Religion, Society and Culture
Sexuality and Reproductive Health
* Peace and Social Justice
Civil Society
Governance
Human Rights
The Application Process
All applications must be submitted to the appropriate IFP Inter national Partner in the country or region where the applicant resides. IFP International Partners determine application deadlines and selection schedules in their region or country. Applications are reviewed and final selections decided by panels com posed of practitioners and scholars from various fields of work and study.
The level and duration of awards are determined as part of the selection process. Ford Foundation staff and their family members may not serve on selection panels and are not eligible to apply for IFP awards. Members of selection committees, staff of the organizations managing the program in the various regions, and their family members are also ineligible for IFP awards.
For more information see: http://www.fordifp.net/