OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
2011-12 ALUMNI GRANT PROGRAM INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION
The Open Society Scholarship Programs is pleased to announce a new call for applications for the 2011 - 2012 Alumni Grant Program.  This program offers grants to Scholarship Program alumni to build on the knowledge they have gained during their fellowship and make a positive contribution to their home country. The deadline for the 2011 competition is:
Wednesday June 1, 2011.

ELIGIBILITY
The competition is open to Open Society Scholarship Programs alumni of the following programs:

• Afghan Communications Scholarship Program
• American University in Bulgaria (last entry year in 2005)
• Cambridge and Oxford Hospitality Schemes
• Chevening-OSI Scholarships
• CNOUS-OSI Program
• DAAD-OSI Program
• Environmental Law/Management Program (1996 – 1999)
• Faculty Development Program
• Georgian Program for Education Professionals
• Global Supplementary Grant Program
• Mongolian Professional Fellowship Program
• Muskie/FSA Graduate Fellowship Program (in the fields administered by OSI, last entry year in 2004)
• OSF Maastricht University Scholarship Program
• Palestinian Faculty Development Program
• Palestinian Rule of Law Program
• Social Work Fellowship Program
• Soros Supplementary Grant Program
• Supplementary Grant Program – Burma
• Supplementary Grant Program – Former Yugoslavia
• Undergraduate Exchange Program/Virtual University

Alumni of the above-mentioned programs must meet the following criteria to be considered eligible:

1. Have successfully completed their Scholarship Programs fellowship before January 1, 2012 ;
2. Be in compliance with the conditions of any past Scholarship Programs and/or Open Society Foundations grant;
3. Reide in their home country or region during the project year; 
4. Should not be grantees of Scholarship Programs or Open Society Foundations during the project year;
5. Present a project related to or applicable in their home country or region;
6. Research-based candidates must be fully or partly affiliated with a Policy Institute or Higher Education Institution.

GRANT DETAILS

All proposals must be related to the Open Society Foundations’ mission of supporting educational, social, political and legal reform, and of encouraging alternative approaches to complex and controversial issues.  Collaborative projects between alumni, across borders, and with host universities are welcome.  A Scholarship Programs alumnus/a must have the leading role in the project.  Qualified alumni who are currently engaged in developing evidence- based policy approaches to publish in recognized local media or international peer-reviewed journals are welcome to apply for research-based proposals.  Areas of project activities may include, but are not limited to:

• initiatives furthering social justice or community welfare;
• activities generating debate/dialogue on local social and/or political issues;
• alumni networking and fostering the creation of constructive associations; 
• research using evidence-based approaches and alternative solutions to current and upcoming policy issues. 

The program will not support:

• individual travel grants for participation in conferences, workshops, classes, etc.;
• travel to or from countries not served by the Foundations (western Europe, North America, etc.);
• expenses taking place outside countries served by the Foundations  (western Europe, North America, etc.);
• additional degrees, courses, or certificates for individual alumnus/a;
• projects which replicate existing efforts within the country (i.e. local Soros Foundation projects);
• Educational Advising Centers, or resource centers, for study abroad;
• purchasing of office equipment (computers, photocopiers, fax machines, etc.)

SELECTION PROCESS
Selection is based on the applicant’s qualifications and standing with the Open Society Foundations, the project’s relevance to the Program goals, its feasibility, and its potential for impact. The selection committee will be comprised of experts from the Open Society Foundations and outside consultants who are familiar with the Foundations’ mission.  All applicants will be notified of their status around November 2011. 

FINANCIAL TERMS
Applicants may request up to $7,000 for individual projects; larger amounts are available for collaborative projects with other eligible alumni. All proposals must include a line item explanation of the budget. Budgets should clearly list contributions from other donors and/or explanations concerning acquisition of such funds or services (free space, volunteer office assistance, donated equipment, etc.)

VERIFICATION:
The Program reserves the right to verify all information submitted as part of an application.  In the event that there is a discrepancy or information is found to be false, the applicant (s) will be declared ineligible.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

• Applications are free and may be duplicated.
• The competition is merit-based and open to all alumni who meet the eligibility requirements and follow the guidelines.
• Applicants may submit only one proposal per competition.
• AGP will fund projects taking place in 2012; therefore, projects should begin no earlier than January 1, 2012.
• Questions about eligibility may be directed to Zarina Usmanova.

All Applicants are advised to consider the following tips before submitting applications:

• check your eligibility status with your Scholarship Programs coordinator to ensure you and your project team are eligible; 
• state program goals and objectives clearly; 
• specify and/or justify whether the project will be a one-time event for a specific issue and towards a specific outcome, or an on-going project serving a specific group; 
• keep program objectives realistic and not overly ambitious;
• ensure that each activity and budget line relates and is reasonable to program goals, and that budget lines clearly relate to activities described; 
• discuss your idea with professionals and practitioners to ensure that your project is feasible and does not replicate projects already existing in your country;  
• if your project is complex, consider breaking it down and determining whether a smaller more focused project would be more effective for the first phase of funding;
• seeks to secure co-funding from other sources;
• include a commitment letter from the engaged institution where the grant is to be held; 
• register with OAS well in advance so as to avoid technical problems on or before the application due date;

Deadline: Wednesday June 1, 2011

CHECKLIST:
All applications must include:

• Completed Application Form
• Curriculum Vitae of Project Manager and principal partners (2 pages per CV maximum )
• Detailed Budget with explanations of how each cost relates to a specific function of the project
• Abstract of proposed policy research (research-based candidates only) 
• Letter(s) of support from institutions mentioned in proposal (other than applicant)
• Letter(s) of commitment from other donors if listed in the proposal or budget (other than applicant).

Submission:
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online using the Online Application System (OAS) which may be found at:  www.soros.org/grants/oas. Those, who do not have access to internet or who need to submit supporting documentation, may send materials to the address below:  
The Open Society Scholarship Programs
Open Society Foundation
Cambridge House, 100 Cambridge Grove
London, W6 0LE United Kingdom
Email: zarina.usmanova@osf-eu.org