2008-2009 Lane Kirkland Scholarships Program

Application Deadline: March 10, 2008

The purpose of the Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program is to share Polish experiences in economic, social and political transformations, within the framework of a two-semester supplementary study program (for MA degree holders) in the Polish schools of higher education and 2-4 week professional internships in governmental and private institutions.

FIELDS:

• economics and management
• public administration (including local government administration)
• business administration
• law
• social and political science

CANDIDATES:

The 2008/09 Kirkland scholarships are addressed to individuals who are able to apply the knowledge and skills obtained in Poland to economic, social and democratic changes in their home countries, and who represent the following professional groups:

• academic teachers, researchers
• civil servants, politicians, experts and employees of central and local government institutions
• entrepreneurs, managers
• leaders of non-governmental organizations, animators in culture and civic activity
• journalists

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

• Citizenship and permanent residence in one of the ten targeted countries (individuals with a permanent residence card in Poland are ineligible)
• Master's degree
• up to 35 years of age (in special cases up to 40)
• Polish language proficiency sufficient to effectively attend lectures and seminars (alternatively English — for those candidates who select a specific study program in English)
• minimum 2 years of professional experience

PREFERENCES:

• candidates actively working in their professional and social fields
• candidates who have significant achievements in one of the fields listed above
• candidates who have not studied in Poland yet

SELECTION PROCESS:

Approximately 50 best individuals will be selected in a 3-stage evaluation process of candidates:

1. Review of applications with regard to eligibility criteria
2. Review of candidates' proposed projects of study by independent experts
3. Interviews

The candidates advanced to the third stage will be notified by e-mail or phone. Information on the final nominations will be mailed to the candidates in the middle of May.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Application form

1. detailed personal questionnaire with 1 current photograph of the candidate
2. proposed program of study in Poland explaining the intention to participate in the Kirkland Program and including the future plans connected with its completion (up to 2 pages)
3. Curriculum Vitae (CV) including a list of publications*

Two letters of reference describing the achievements and the qualifications of the candidate as well as the expectations connected with the candidate's further development and work in her/his chosen profession (in Polish, English or Russian). Letters of reference must be sent directly to the Polish — U.S. Fulbright Commission by persons recommending the candidates.

Copy of diploma

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Monthly installment paid to Kirkland grantees in Polish currency: approx. 500 USD. In addition, the scholarship covers the following costs: university fees; accommodation; insurance; one return ticket to Poland; public transportation tickets; purchase of research materials. Laptop computers and printers, provided to the grantees for the period of scholarship, can become the property of the grantees only after all the scholarship program requirements have been fulfilled.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:

• Orientation (10 days)
• Classes at universities (two semesters) in the leading Polish academic centers, such as Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, Lublin or Wroclaw
• Preparation of two semester papers and one diploma paper
• Integration seminars for all Kirkland grantees — presentation of grantees' experiences
• Professional internship (2-4 weeks) upon completion of the academic program
• Closing ceremony — final diplomas (end of June in Warsaw)

CANDIDATES' APPLICATIONS:

Originals of application documents and letters of reference should be sent by post to the following address:

POLSKO-AMERYKANSKA KOMISJA FULBRIGHTA
Polish — U.S. Fulbright Commission
ul. Nowy Swiat 4
00-497 Warszawa — Polska
e:mail: u.sobiecka@fulbright.edu.pl

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

The deadline for receiving applications: 10 March 2008.

Applications received after the above deadline will not be considered.

APPLICATION FORMS:

Application forms, description of scholarship program and other information materials may be ordered by post, e-mail or telephone from the Polish — U.S. Fulbright Commission, or obtained through the Internet at the Fulbright Commission's website or the Kirkland Program site:
www.KirklandProgram.engo.pl