Open Society Scholarship Programs

Open Society Scholarship Programs

is pleased to announce the 2013-2014

Middle East Rule of Law

Masters Degree Awards

The Middle East Rule of Law Program (MEROL) offers qualified applicants the opportunity to study for Master’s degrees in the following fields at top-ranked universities in the U.S., Hungary, and the Middle East:

· Public Policy / Public Administration

· Media / Communications Studies

· Law (Master of Laws – LLM)

· Social Work

· Gender Studies

Mission and Objectives

The Middle East Rule of Law (MEROL) program aims to assist in the creation of a critical mass of reform-minded professionals in the Middle East working in fields crucial to the development and sustainability of open societies.

In conceiving of the foundations of the “Rule of Law” to include the healthy functioning of various public sectors beyond law itself, MEROL represents an extension of the Open Society Foundations’ Palestinian Rule of Law Program (PROL). Since 2003, the PROL program has supported over 50 LLM fellowships for Palestinian lawyers who are now engaged in law reform, teaching, and the development of a Palestinian rule of law infrastructure.

Eligibility:

Applicants must:

· be legally resident in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Syria, or Palestine (West Bank or Gaza, including East Jerusalem) at the time of application

· demonstrate an excellent academic record and have an advanced degree (Minimum: Bachelor’s)

· display impressive civil society leadership potential

· prove strong English language ability through testing and interviews

(Minimum TOEFL score of 480)

· be able to begin the program in August or September, 2013

· be able to receive and maintain a U.S. J-1 visa (for students placed in the U.S.) or a Hungarian visa (for students placed at the Central European University in Budapest)

· participate in an intensive academic writing program in summer 2013 prior to departure to US

· commit to returning to the home country upon degree completion

The fellowship provides:

· Tuition and mandatory university fees

· Monthly stipend for room, board, and living expenses

· Transportation to/from the U.S. or Hungary

· Accident and sickness insurance during program

· Funds for educational materials

· Funds for professional development

· Funds for an intensive academic writing program before starting at host universities

(Please See Reverse Side)

The fellowship does NOT provide:

· Funding for dependent family members

· the option to choose university placement

Selection

Competition will be merit based and selection made on the basis of academic excellence, professional aptitude, leadership potential in the field of specialization, and proven commitment to open society values.

Pre-selection and Testing: Submitted applications will be screened by representatives from AMIDEAST, OSF and potential host universities. Applicants chosen to continue in the competition as semifinalists will be required to take the ITP AND official TOEFL test. The cost of the ITP examination will be covered by the applicant. AMIDEAST will make arrangements for semi-finalist TOEFL testing. If you are short listed, you will receive more information regarding the exam from AMIDEAST.

Interviews and Final Selection: Semifinalists will be interviewed in-person or via videoconference by a committee of representatives from OSF and potential US host universities. The committee will recommend finalists for placement at host universities. All finalists will need an official TOEFL test report. (Unofficial English test score reports will not be acceptable at the finalist placement stage.)

University Placement

Fellows are matched with US universities according to their academic and professional goals and experience. Decisions concerning host university placement are made by the program selection committee, which includes university graduate admissions staff and faculty. Each placement is available on the basis of previously negotiated agreements between OSF and the participating universities. Finalists are therefore not responsible for finding appropriate degree programs.

Potential Internship / Work Placement Funding

In some cases MEROL funding may be extended for six months after degree completion to cover public-sector and non-profit internships. Information about internships will be shared with the grantees during the fellowship year.

Participant Responsibilities

Grantees will be required to live for up to two years in their home country after completing their degree. Grantees placed in the U.S. should note that OSF supports the U.S. government’s J-1 policy, and expects grantees to apply the expertise the fellowship has given them to the improvement of their home communities.

All finalists attend a mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation and intensive academic writing program in the summer preceding the award as well as other OSF-sponsored events during the fellowship period. The costs associated with these activities are covered by the fellowship.

Fellows must uphold the academic and ethical standards of the host institution and undertake full-time study for the program’s duration. Failure to maintain academic and professional standards will result in dismissal from the program.

The program is administered by OSF and AMIDEAST and funded by OSF and host universities.

For more information and an application, please visit the following website or contact a local AMIDEAST office on the following page:

http://www.amideast.org

Employees of OSF directly involved in the administration of scholarships are not eligible; nor are individuals receiving other OSF-funded support during the fellowship period.

LOCAL AMIDEAST OFFICE CONTACTS

EGYPT
AMIDEAST
38 Mohie El Din, Abou El Ezz St
Dokki-Giza, Egypt
Hotline: 19263
Contact Person: Ms. Norhan El Badry
Email: / JORDAN
AMIDEAST
Building No. 8, princess Basma St.|
Wadi Abdoun, Amman
Tel: 962-6-5929994 ext. 135
Contact Person: Ms. Haya Kasht
Email:
LEBANON
AMIDEAST
Bazerkan Building, Beirut Central District
Beirut, Lebanon
Tel: 961-1-989901 ext. 160
Contact Person: Ms. Hala Kaadi
Email: / PALESTINE – GAZA
AMIDEAST
Shaheed Raja Street. No.8/704
Bseiso Building, 8th Floor,
Opposite the Arab Bank of Rimal
Al Jondi Al Majhool Rimal Neighborhood
Tel: 972 (or +970) 8-282-4635 ext. 105
Email:
PALESTINE – RAMALLAH
AMIDEAST
Al-Watanieh Towers, 1st Floor,
34 Municipality St.
El Bireh, Ramallah
Tel: 972 (or +970) 2-240-8023 ext. 300
Email: / SYRIA
Please send applications to the AMIDEAST JORDAN or LEBANON OFFICE
TUNISIA
AMIDEAST
22 rue Al Amine Al Abbassi
Cité Jardins
1002 Tunis-Belvédère
Tel: 216-71-175-700
Contact Person: Ms. Nada Belhassen
Email:

Open Society Scholarship Programs

2013 MIDDLE EAST RULE OF LAW AWARDS

Application Deadline: February 7, 2013

I. Personal Information - Spell your name exactly as it is written on your passport. Please write neatly and accurately.

Family Name: ______Given Name: ______

Gender: Female Male

Date of Birth (month/day/year): ______Place of Birth (city / country): ______

Country of permanent legal residence: ______Country/-ies of citizenship:

Have you ever applied for, or do you currently hold, a visa or permanent residency status for either the US or Canada? If so, describe and give expiration date of visa.

II. Mailing Address - All mail will be sent to this address during the competition (Fall 2012 / Spring 2013). Include country and city code for phone / fax numbers.

Number and Street: ______

City/Region: ______Country: ______

Home phone: (_____) ______Fax: (______) ______Email: ______

III. Permanent Address (if different from above) - Include country and city code for phone/fax numbers.

Number and Street: ______

City/Region: ______Country: ______

Work phone: (_____) ______Fax: (______) ______Email: ______

IV. Current Employer- Include country and city code for phone/fax numbers.

Current position/job title: ______

Place of Employment: ______

Number and Street: ______

City/Region: ______Country: ______

Work phone: (_____) ______Fax: (______) ______Email: ______

V. Academic Program- Indicate field/subfield for which you are applying.

q Public Policy / Public Administration

q Media / Communication Studies

q Law (Master of Laws – LLM)

q Gender / Women’s Studies

q Social Work (MSW)

VI. Professional Experience – List your most recent professional experience first. You will have more space on your resume/CV to write about other positions.

Name & Type of Organization
(include # of employees) / Job Title & Dates of Employment
(and # of people supervised) / Job Responsibilities
(and hours worked per week) / Paid or
Volunteer

VII. Education - List all educational institutions you have attended, beginning with the one attended most recently. Example entry: University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan / Psychology / BA / 09/98 – 05/02

Institution & Location / Major Field of Study
(area of specialization) / Degree / Diploma
(do not translate, write in Latin letters) / Dates of Study
(starting & ending month / year) / Date Diploma Received
(or expected)

VIII. Academic Awards - List any awards, grants, fellowships, or honors you have received. Include the following information: type of award, granting agency, name of award, year, duration of study (if applicable), and amount.

IX. Research - List any scholarly or professional research you have done or are currently doing.

X. Publications - List any books, articles, or theses you have published, include title, publisher, place and date.

XI. Professional Associations - List professional associations or other organizations you are involved with.

XII. Conferences/Workshops/Trainings– List events you have attended that are relevant to your professional development and proposed field of study. If you gave a presentation, please write the topic in the last column.

Name of Conference/Workshop / Country / Dates / Participant or
Presenter / Presentation Topic

XIII. Language Ability - Rate your reading, writing, comprehension and speaking skills in each language you know, include English and your native language. Use the ratings of Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor.

Language / Reading / Writing / Comprehension / Speaking
English

XIV. International Experience - Please indicate ALL extensive (more than one month) travel, study, or work you have had outside your home country.

Country Visited / Length of Stay / Dates / Purpose of travel

XV. Essay (Letter of Intent) - Write a detailed essay explaining your reasons for applying for an Open Society Scholarship Programs Middle East Rule of Law Award.

Explain how your background, education, and employment since completing secondary school have prepared you to study at the graduate level outside your home country. What specific area of your chosen academic field most interests you? What efforts have you undertaken to improve your academic and / or professional qualifications already? Explain what you hope to accomplish during your fellowship and how this experience will help you achieve your professional and personal goals, including what type of work or position you would like to have after completing the program and during the required period of employment. The length of your essay should not exceed three typed pages.

XVI. Program Administration - How did you learn about the Program? (for statistical purposes only)

q AMIDEAST Office
q Soros/Open Society Office
q Friend / q Newspaper/Journal
q Internet
q Television / q Your university
q Your workplace
q Other ______

Have you applied for other scholarships this year (Open Society Foundations or other)? Yes___ No ___

If so, which program(s)? ______

XVII. Required Order of Attachments - Please attach the following items to your application in the order given below:

1. Essay
2. Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV), in English
3. Three recommendation letters in sealed envelopes or sent directly via e-mail
4. Official university transcripts in original language / 5. Certified English translation of transcripts
6. Photocopy of passport picture page (if available)

XVIII. Certification - I certify that the information given in this application is complete and accurate. I understand that the final approval of my application and my status as a program grantee is dependent on my placement at an appropriate host university and on my ability to receive and maintain a host country visa or study permit. I understand that the purpose of the program is to obtain a Master’s degree from a host university in an academic field that will boost my professional development and so that I can apply the knowledge gained in order to contribute to public sector development and reform in my home country. I agree to return to my home country upon completion of the fellowship and fulfill the employment requirement of this fellowship.

Name: Signature:

Date:

Submit by February 7, 2013

to the amideast office in your home country, at the addresses on the following page

LOCAL AMIDEAST OFFICE CONTACTS

Open Society Scholarship Programs

2013 Middle East Rule of Law Program

Deadline: February 7, 2013

RECOMMENDATION FORM INSTRUCTIONS

Applicants for the Middle East Rule of Law Program are required to submit three recommendations from professors, employers, supervisors, or lecturers. Your candid, honest responses on the recommendation form provided here will greatly assist in the selection process and help to ensure that successful candidates are placed in programs at host universities that best meet their academic goals.

Please note that potential host universities consider letters of recommendation very seriously in evaluating applications, so please take the time to provide detailed answers. You may continue answers on additional sheets of paper, if more space is needed.

Recommenders should note the following guidelines:

· Recommendations must be signed and include the name, address, and telephone number of the person providing the recommendation.