The International Scholars Fellowship Program selects highly qualified scholars in the social sciences and humanities to assist Academic Fellowship Program (AFP) partner departments where Returning Scholars are placed. The International Scholars advise on the overall reform agenda of the departments and share with departmental colleagues the latest developments in their discipline, collaborate on the introduction of new courses, and encourage the development of skills critical to academic work. Perhaps the greatest, and most needed, contribution of International Scholars is the expert advice they offer on curriculum development and academic planning. International Scholars share their experience with the department on a consultative basis. They work on-site with the departmental faculty members and PhD students during two or three short and intense visits in the academic year, and remain in touch with colleagues between visits. Fellows are placed in departments that have been carefully selected as AFP partners.

Within these departments, the AFP Returning Scholars Fellowship Program supports talented scholars who, after earning a postgraduate degree abroad, seek university positions and academic careers in their home countries. A list of current AFP partner departments can be found on the program's website: http://www.soros.org/initiatives/hesp/focus/afp. The list is subject to change in the 2011-2012 academic year.

Supported fields: anthropology, area/cultural studies, economics, gender studies, history, human rights & public law, international relations, journalism/media studies, philosophy, political science, psychology, public policy/environmental studies, public policy/public health, social work, and sociology.

The program does not support scholars in philology, the visual and performing arts, and business.

Candidates must be well-established or senior scholars and hold an internationally-recognized PhD (or equivalent highest degree awarded in the academic field).

AFP accepts applications for placements in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, and Ukraine. Fellowships begin in August or September 2011 and last one academic year. Fellowships include a modest stipend, transportation, accommodation, and various other allowances, and can be renewed.

Application deadline: April 11, 2011.