Deadline: March 1, 2018
Applications are open for the Institute of Current World Affairs (ICWA) Fellowship Program 2018. The ultimate aim of the ICWA Fellowship program is to cultivate deep expertise in foreign countries and cultures. They achieve this by supporting a Fellow over a two year period, during which she or he carries out an immersive program of self-designed, independent study abroad. An ICWA Fellowship represents a generous investment in the future of a Fellow.
ICWA’s mission is to identify and cultivate rare potential, so they are looking for promise, curiosity, and enthusiasm in candidates. They consider whether a candidate is ready for the rapid personal growth that the Fellowship makes possible. Candidates with a passion for their project country and who are sufficiently prepared to take advantage of the opportunity they offer, have the best chance of being awarded an ICWA Fellowship. Extensive professional experience in the proposed area is not always necessary. Fellowships are aimed at developing advanced knowledge and professional skills, not awarding research or reporting opportunities to those who already possess them.
Funding
- The Institute provides full financial support for its Fellows and their immediate, accompanying families. “Full financial support” does not mean that ICWA provides a salary or stipend to its Fellows. Rather, the Institute provides Fellows with sufficient funding to cover their expenses, allowing them to fulfill the purposes of the Fellowship and allowing them and their families (if accompanying the Fellowship) to live in good health and reasonable comfort. “Full financial support” also does not mean unlimited financial support; Fellows are expected to live and spend modestly.
Eligibility
- Candidates must be under 36 years of age at the time of the due date for the initial letter of interest;
- U.S. citizenship is not a requirement, but candidates must show strong and credible ties to U.S. society. A proposed Fellowship must hold the promise of enriching public life in the United States by enhancing the understanding of foreign countries, cultures, and trends;
- Applicants must have excellent written and spoken English language skills and must have completed the current phase of their formal education. They do not accept applications from currently enrolled undergraduate students;
- Candidates are expected to have the necessary language skills to allow to them to carry out their proposed project. Candidates proposing to go to China, Russia, Indonesia, India, or Brazil, for example, should have proficiency in Chinese, Russian, Bahasa, Hindi (or another relevant language) or Portuguese.
Application
- Those interested in applying for an Institute of Current World Affairs (ICWA) Fellowship should send an initial Letter of Interest and a resume or CV to the Institute via email. (Post is also accepted.)
- In your letter of interest, tell them what you would do if you had a two-year, self-designed Fellowship overseas and why you’re the right person to carry it out. There is no fixed length for the letter of interest. Take the space that you need to make a cogent case for yourself. Please indicate your age, as applicants must be under the age of 36 at the time that the letter of interest is due;
- Selected Fellows are expected to depart for their Fellowship within six months of their selection. This is a competitive process. The strongest applicants will be invited to submit a more detailed application.
Submit applications by email to [email protected] or by post to:
Institute of Current World Affairs
1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 605
Washington, DC 20036
For more information, visit ICWA Fellowship Program.
