A fellowship project might identify a problem that has not previously been recognized, develop new policy ideas to address familiar problems, or offer a new advocacy strategy. Fellows should take advantage of the considerable intellectual and logistical resources of the Open Society Institute and expect to contribute meaningfully to OSI's thinking in return.
In evaluating each proposal, the selection committee weighs three factors: the applicant, the topic of the project, and the work product.
Proposals are accepted year round, but those received by *April 28, 2010*, will be evaluated by *July 21, 2010*. Proposals received by *September 7, 2010 *will be evaluated by *November 26, 2010*.
The Applicant
The Open Society Fellowship chooses its fellows from a diverse pool of applicants that includes journalists, activists, academics, and practitioners in a variety of fields. Applicants should possess a deep understanding of their chosen subject area and a track record of professional accomplishment.
The fellowship seeks "idea entrepreneurs" from across the world who are ready to challenge conventional wisdom. Successful applicants will be eager to exploit the many resources offered by OSI and be prepared to engage constructively with the global OSI community. Ideal fellows are specialists who can see beyond the parochialisms of their field and possess the tenacity to complete a project of exceptional merit.
The Topic of the Project
The Open Society Institute works to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. Among OSI's core areas of concern are human rights, government transparency, the promotion of civil society and social inclusion. Project themes should cut across these areas of interest. Applicants are encouraged to explore this website to acquaint themselves with the panoply of themes
and geographic areas that fall within OSI's purview http://www.soros.org/about/overview. Below are some possible topic areas that fellows may explore in the coming years:
* Global migration and the rights of displaced minorities
* Organized crime, corruption, and state failure
* The economic crisis and its effect on open societies
* Movement-building and state repression in societies affected by climate change
* The impact of new technologies on citizen access to information and justice
* The link between governance, transparency, and economic development.
Open Society Fellows are currently investigating the corrosive effect of the global arms trade on democratic institutions, the challenges of community organizing in rural America, and new techniques of outreach and communication with victims of mass atrocity.
What these projects share is a zeal for problem-solving, the confidence to test hypotheses against observed reality, and an impatience with conventional or clichéd thinking.
Applicants who are uncertain whether their topic fits within OSI's organizational interests are invited to submit a brief *letter of inquiry*, accompanied by a CV, before proceeding with the online application process. That letter of inquiry should be addressed to: OSFellows@sorosny. org .
Complete fellowship guidelines are available at
http://www.soros.org/initiatives/fellowship/grants.
Source: http://nno.ecn.cz/index.stm?apc=nF2x1--&x=2237223
Please quote 10 Academic Resources Daily in your application to this opportunity!
