Open Society Institute- Budapest
Network Scholarship Programs
Soros Supplementary Grants Program
2004-2005
Now you can also apply online!
www.soros.org/grants/oas
Application Form
Free of Charge - May be duplicated
2004-2005
Soros Supplementary Grants Program 2004-2005
Network Scholarship Programs
Academic Year 2004-2005
Program Description:
The program was created to assist citizens of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and Mongolia who are pursuing full-time advanced study within this region but outside of their home countries. The goal is to support cross-cultural, intraregional student mobility as part of the Open Society Institute’s overall efforts to strengthen the academic network within and among these countries.
The Soros Supplementary Grants Program 2004-2005 offers grants to:
I. standard eligibility students of the social sciences, humanities, and fine and performing arts who have already arranged for part of the costs of their study to be covered (Please see page 4 for detailed eligibility criteria).
II. special needs students:
· Roma
· refugees
· people seeking political asylum
· displaced (forced migrants)
(Please see page 5 for detailed eligibility criteria).
Awards are offered for one academic year only and will be granted in amounts up to $5,000. Awards are available to undergraduates and post-graduates enrolled on a full-time basis at recognized institutes of higher education outside of their home country or permanent residence and in one of the countries listed below. Participating countries are as follows (no exceptions):
Albania / Hungary / RussiaArmenia / Kazakstan / Slovakia
Azerbaijan / Kyrgyzstan / Slovenia
Bosnia & Herzegovina / Latvia / Tadjikistan
Belarus / Lithuania / Turkmenistan
Bulgaria / Macedonia / Ukraine
Croatia / Moldova / Uzbekistan
Czech Republic / Mongolia / Yugoslavia
Estonia / Poland
Georgia / Romania
Disabled and minority candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
Applications for support for studying in Western Europe, the United States, or in any country not listed above will NOT be considered. Applicants from any country not listed above will also NOT be considered.
Selection Criteria:
All applicants meeting the eligibility criteria for their group will be considered. Selection will be based on the academic performance of the applicant, merit of the proposed study, the applicant’s goals as expressed in the written essays, and the completeness of the application. Applications will be considered on an individual basis.
Please note that this is a competitive grant process and funding is not guaranteed.
How to Apply:
1. Hard copy application:
Read all enclosed information carefully before completing the application. Complete the attached application form in English or in your native language with a certified English translation. Answer every question completely and carefully. Type or print neatly in black ink. Please make sure you have enclosed all required documents with your application and arranged them in a required order (please see page 10). Please keep one copy for your records and submit the original application with all supporting documents to the local Soros/Open Society Foundation, Scholarships Office or Educational Advising Center (addresses attached) in your home country, in the country where you study, OR to the following address:
Open Society Institute- Budapest
Network Scholarship Programs
Soros Supplementary Grants Program 2004-2005
Nador utca 11
1051 Budapest, Hungary
2. Online application:
Applications and all required documents
must be received in Budapest or at a local
Open Society Foundation no later than
April 15, 2004
To apply online please go to www.soros.org/grants/oas and register, then follow instructions. If you have any questions or need help please contact Judit Szigeti at .
IMPORTANT!!!
The results of the SSGP competition will be announced by July 30, 2004. Please note that all correspondence will be sent to the Permanent Address indicated on your application. Open Society Institute is not responsible for lost or delayed mail, so it is highly advisable that you contact your national Soros/Open Society Foundation (see addresses attached) or Budapest office to learn the results. Grantees must collect their contracts and return signed copies no later than October 15, 2004 in order for the grant to become effective. Please note that the grant offer shall be terminated automatically in case the above deadline is missed.
I. Standard Eligibility Group
Citizens or permanent residents of the countries listed above (see Page 2) who are studying outside of their home country but within the Central and Eastern Europe, former Soviet Union, or Mongolia are invited to apply to the Soros Supplementary Grants Program, academic year 2004-2005. Please review the following criteria.
Eligibility:
Interested applicants must meet the following criteria:
· be enrolled on a full-time basis in social sciences, humanities or fine and performing arts degree program at a recognized institute of higher education in one of the countries listed above;
· be a citizen or permanent resident of a different country listed above;
· have an outstanding record of academic achievement shown by transcripts and references;
· have proof of appropriate language skills for the country in which they are studying;
· demonstrate commitment to return to their home country upon completion of their degree;
· have proof of other sources of financial support.
Ineligibility:
The following applications will NOT be considered:
· proposals for non-degree research or course work (including exchange programs), part-time studies, distance learning courses
· proposals for first year undergraduate study;
· proposals in the following fields of study:
Business Administration/ Management Training
Computer Science
Finance/ Banking/ Marketing
Engineering
Hard & Natural Sciences (Physics, Biology, Chemistry, etc.)
Mathematics
Medical Sciences
Tourism
· proposals for the language preparatory courses (0 Year);
· proposals for summer school/ conferences;
· proposals for studies in student’s home country;
· late and incomplete applications.
II. Special Needs Group
Roma students and citizens or permanent residents of the countries listed above (see Page 2) who are currently refugees, seeking political asylum, or displaced from their home countries due to political or national crisis are invited to apply to the Soros Supplementary Grants Program, academic year 2004-2005. Please review the following criteria.
Eligibility:
Interested applicants must meet the following criteria:
· be a Roma, refugee, forced migrant or someone who seeks political asylum;
· if applicable, have a copy of documentation issued by local immigration or police authorities confirming the status;
· be enrolled on a full-time basis in any field degree program at a recognized institute of higher education in one of the countries listed on Page 2;
· have an outstanding record of academic achievement shown by transcripts and references;
· have proof of other sources of financial support.
Ineligibility:
Proposals for non-degree research or course work, part time studies or distance learningcourses will NOT be considered.
IMPORTANT!
Please note that if you apply under the special needs category, you are required to submit a separate autobiographical essay in addition to the two essays required for the application (see page 9). This additional essay should be no less than 500 words and should state the reasons why you are applying under the special needs category. If relevant, please describe the circumstances leading to your current situation.
I. STANDARD
II. SPECIAL NEEDS
Soros Supplementary Grants Program Application
Academic Year 2004-2005
Please read pages 2-4 before completing this form. Please type or print clearly and neatly in black ink. Please attach a photocopy of the page in your passport displaying your name and citizenship. Incomplete and late applications will not be reviewed.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
1. Family name: ______First name: ______
2. ____/___/______
Date of birth Gender Marital status
(day/month/year) (male/female) (single/married)
3. ______
Nationality Home Country
4. Please state the number of years you have resided in the country where you are studying:
______
5. Permanent Address in your home country (Please note that all official correspondence will be mailed to this address):
Number and Street
City/State Post Code
Telephone (area code) Fax E-mail
6. Present Address in your host country:
Number and Street
City/State Post Code Country
Telephone (area code) Fax E-mail
7. Have you received a Soros Supplementary Grant before? Yes No
Year (s)______
Amount (s)______
8. Where did you learn about Soros Supplementary Grants Program?
______
ACADEMIC INFORMATION: Please note that the information you provide should refer to academic year 2004-2005.
9. ______
Name of University/College you will attend
10. ______
Name of Program/Course you will participate in
11. ______Please state the number of years you have been
Language of instruction studying the language of instruction: ______
12. Degree you are currently studying for: BA/BS _____ MA/MS _____ PhD ______
other (specify)______
Length of Academic year: ______(months) Length of program/course: ______(years)
Date you started/ will start this degree program:______(month/year)
Expected date of completion: ______( month/year)
13. Address of University:
______
Name of Institution Department/Faculty
Number/Street
City Post Code Country
Telephone Fax E-mail
______
Name and Position of the Contact Person at Your Department
14. References:
Please name the two referees who provided you with letters of recommendation. They should be professors in higher education (at least one of them should be from your Host University) who have direct knowledge of your work and your abilities.
Referee 1 Referee 2
Name: ______Name: ______
Position: ______Position: ______
Address: ______Address: ______
______
______
Tel/Fax: ______Tel/Fax: ______
E-mail: ______E-mail: ______
Reference letters are confidential. Please submit the references in sealed and signed envelopes (your name on the front and the signature of the referee across the seal on back). If the references are not in English certified translation should be provided.
The amount of award will be determined by the selection committee based on merit of proposal and financial information provided here. Incomplete information may result in a negative review.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Please note that the information you provide should refer to academic year 2004-2005.
15. Expenses: Please provide exact figures (in USD) for your actual costs for one academic year (how much money you are expected to pay for tuition, housing, etc.). NB: Computer, clothes, entertainment, language courses, telephone/postage costs will not be considered. Grants will not support family members or dependents.
• Tuition fees: $ ______+
• Housing costs: $ ______+
• Living expenses( food,
basic personal expenses): $ ______+
• Books and supplies: $ ______+
• Medical insurance $ ______+
• One economy round trip home $ ______+
Total Expenses: $ ______=
16. Assistance: Please describe in detail what financial help or scholarship you already have arranged for this year, such as a scholarship/grant from the state, or the host institution, or from any other sources in one academic year.
Yes No Amount
• tuition scholarship/waiver: $ ______+
• room and board scholarship
(housing and living expenses): $ ______+
• other assistance, including state benefits: $ ______+
• employment/ private or family support: $ ______+
Total Assistance: $ ______
17. Request: Please state the total amount you are requesting from Supplementary Grants Program 2004-2005 and explain in detail on a separate sheet of paper what you would spend the money on (please keep in mind that Total Request = Total Expenses - Total Assistance).
Total Request: $ ______
Applicants must attach proof of expenses from the University and all other sources of financial support with English translations. The Soros Supplementary Grant can not be used to supplement any full scholarship award. Applicants must notify the Network Scholarship Programs in case any changes in their academic or financial status occur after completion of the application.
Exchange rate: $1= ______Date: ______
______I hereby certify that the information provided in this application is true and correct.
______
Signature of the Applicant Date (month/day/year)
ESSAYS: Please note that both essays are mandatory for all applicants.
Please remember that essays are very important part of your application. Each essay should be no less than 500 words. Try to answer each question in detail. Please feel free to write in your native language, but remember to attach a certified English translation.
* Translations certified by the given institution of education are acceptable.
18. ACADEMIC INTEREST AND PURPOSE OF STUDY
Please answer the following questions on separate sheets of paper (A4). Type or print neatly in black ink.
ESSAY No 1. PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR ACADEMIC GOALS AND INTERESTS. EXPLAIN WHY YOU CHOSE THIS FIELD AND THIS INSTITUTION. EXPLAINE WHY YOUR APPLICATION DESERVES TO BE AWARDED THE GRANT.
***Note. 1: SOROS SUPPLEMENTARY GRANT RECIPIENTS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS MUST ANSWER THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS IN THE ESSAY NO 1(FAILURE TO ANSWER THESE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS WILL RESULT IN REJECTION OF APPLICATION!): GIVE A DETAILED LIST OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE GRANT PERIOD. HOW DID THE GRANT HELP YOU TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS YOU STATED IN YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION? WHICH OF THE PLANS HAVE NOT BEEN REALIZED? WHY? AS A GRANT RECIPIENT, DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ABOUT HOW THE GRANT-AWARDING PROCESS MIGHT BE IMPROVED?
***Note 2: PhD applicants must attach the dissertation proposal in addition to the essays.
ESSAY No. 2. PLEASE INDENTIFY ONE SOCIAL ISSUE IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY THAT YOU BELIEVE NEEDS IMPROVEMENT. DESCRIBE HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH IMPROVEMENT THROUGH YOUR PROFESSION.
IMPORTANT!
Please note that if you apply under the special needs category, you are required to submit a separate autobiographical essay in addition to the two essays required for the application (see above). This additional essay should be no less than 500 words and should state the reasons why you are applying under the special needs category. If relevant, please describe the circumstances leading to your current situation.
Applicants should submit with their application an Academic CV, original
certificates/transcripts of their studies with certified English translations.
*Translations certified by the given institution of education are acceptable.
19. CHECKLIST
q 1. completed application (typed or printed in black ink) in English or with a
full English translation;
q 2. a photocopy of the page in your passport displaying your name and citizenship;
q 3. a separate sheet of paper with detailed information on how you plan