Fellows will be placed at universities in the United States for a two-year graduate program in social work beginning in July 2008 and concluding in May 2010. Participating host universities are the School of Social Work at Columbia University and the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis.
Fields of Study Offered
For more information on fields of study, please see the field descriptions.
Eligibility
The program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. The competition is merit-based and open to those meeting the following criteria:
resident of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, or Tajikistan;
holding an undergraduate degree (4- or 5-year) at the time of application deadline with an excellent academic record;
proficient in spoken and written English at time of application;
able to demonstrate professional aptitude and leadership potential in social work;
committed to returning to home country after completion of the program.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Criteria for Selection:
Semifinalists will be tested for English (TOEFL) and interviewed in participating countries during February/March 2008. The program will cover costs associated with the TOEFL and interviews. The selection committee will recommend finalists and determine placement. Applicants cannot select their own placements. All semifinalists will be notified of their status by May 31, 2008.
Please do NOT contact your local Soros / OSI office about your status. The office will contact candidates after receiving notification from OSI–New York.
Financial Terms
Fellowships will cover the following costs:
program-related travel;
pre-departure and arrival orientation;
all costs associated with the pre-academic summer school program;
tuition (for pre-academic and graduate programs);
monthly living stipend (to cover room and board);
textbooks;
professional development support;
accident and illness insurance;
participation in program meetings in the United States.
Visa Sponsorship
Participants will enter the United States as students on J-1 Exchange Visitor visas and are expected to comply with all visa regulations. Students may be subject to a two-year home residency requirement upon completion of the program. Requests for visa renewals or extensions will not be considered.
Dependents
The program does not offer any financial support or special provisions for dependent family members. Family members will have to apply for J-2 visas and may not be able to arrive in the United States until fall 2008.
Participant Responsibility
Pre-Academic Summer Program: From mid-July to mid-August 2008, grantees are required to participate in a four-week pre-academic summer program held in Istanbul, Turkey. The program consists of classes in academic writing in English, as well as social science and humanities-based seminars.
Fellowship:
In addition to the summer program, finalists must attend a pre-departure orientation (held during the summer school in Istanbul) and an annual program workshop, held in the U.S. each spring. Fellows must uphold the academic standards of the host university and undertake full-time study for the duration of the program. Fellows will not be permitted to change their assigned host university or field of study. Failure to maintain academic and professional standards may result in dismissal from the program.
Contact Information
Azerbaijan
Baku Education Information Center (BEIC)
Attention: Social Work Fellowship
183 Suleyman Rahimov Street, 4th Floor
Baku AZE1014, Azerbaijan
Tel./Fax: +994-12-488-28-45/46
office@beic.osi-az.org
www.beic.aznet.org/


