2023-2024 Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative (G-KSEI)

Program dates: Two weeks in June 2023 and two weeks in January 2024

Introduced in the U.S. Congress on 10/02/2017, the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative Act of 2017 aims to inspire young leaders from the United States and India to work together to advance civil rights, social justice, and inclusion locally, nationally, and globally by exploring the history and legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The exchange will seek to develop participants’ leadership skills and equip them with the tools and networks to support these endeavors.

Twenty (20) undergraduate, graduate, and/or recently graduated students—ten (10) from the United States and ten (10) from India—will participate in the program which includes approximately three weeks in summer 2023 and two weeks in January 2024.  The summer 2023 component will begin with a one-week virtual program that will prepare participants for the in-person academic residency hosted jointly by the University of Alabama (UA) and an Historically Black College or University (HBCU).  The two-week academic residency at UA and the HBCU will include classroom learning and discussion as well as visits to relevant historical landmarks and sites across the southeastern United States.  Additionally, an educational forum that includes participants, experts, professionals, and civic leaders will take place during the U.S. component with the participants.  In January 2024, the India-based two-week experiential learning component will include educational travel to relevant communities and historical sites that highlight and explore the program themes.

The G-KSEI program will offer participants the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and discuss a variety of topics related to the work of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., particularly in their practice of peace, nonviolence, and reconciliation as champions of civil rights.  Topics may include but are not limited to civil rights movements; social justice; the roles of civic and government organizations in advancing human rights; the rights of minorities and historically disadvantaged groups, whether racial, ethnic, religious, or based on sexual orientation or gender identity; community building; resilience; diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; grassroots activism; women’s issues; peaceful conflict resolution; and social change.  The program incorporates socially engaged art as a method of reflection and learning about historical and contemporary civil rights activism while a uniquely designed leadership curriculum centers upon supporting their communities through counseling.

Indian candidates nominated for this program will:

• be proficient in English;
• be interested in the themes of peace, nonviolence, and reconciliation as it pertains to civil rights and social justice;
• be between the ages of 18 and 25 years;
• reside in India full-time and be from one of the Southern states of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.
• be an undergraduate student, graduate student, or recently graduated (within two years before the start of the program).
• demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their academic, professional, and/or community activities;
• indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States;
• have a sustained high level of academic achievement, as indicated by grades, awards, and teacher recommendations;
• demonstrate commitment to their communities and extracurricular activities;
• have little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States or elsewhere outside of their home country;
• be mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful, and inquisitive;
• be willing and able to fully participate in an intensive academic and experiential program in both the United States and India;
• For in-person components, be comfortable with shared living accommodations and able to adjust to cultural and social practices different from those of their home country.

Funding: ECA will cover all participant costs, including program administration; international and pre-program visa travel, travel allowances, domestic travel, and ground transportation in both the United States and India; book, cultural, mailing, and incidental allowances; and housing and subsistence within set budgets and in coordination with U.S. Consulate, Chennai.

English Language Ability: English Language proficiency is required to participate in this program.  All candidates must be proficient in English so that they can actively participate in the program.  

Housing and Meal Arrangements: In the United States, the U.S. and Indian participants will be housed in shared or single university dorms on campus and/or full-service hotels within close proximity to the program activities.  In India, U.S. and Indian participants will be housed in a hotel or another suitable location.  Participants will not be permitted to live at their own residence during their home country’s component of the program; they must reside in the provided program accommodations.

Program Requirements and Restrictions: Selected participants are expected to participate fully in the academic program. They should attend all lectures and organized activities, and complete assigned readings.  The Institute is very intensive and that there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program. Under no circumstances are participants allowed to arrive in the U.S. prior to the start date of the Institute or remain in the U.S. after its end date. Similarly, participants will not be allowed to leave the Institute to visit relatives or friends while in the U.S.

Virtual Program Contingency: Should health, safety, and travel conditions continue to pose significant challenges, the program will pivot to a modified virtual format.  The program will consist of a minimum of 36 hours of required programming with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous virtual components.  Any modified programming would include lectures, small group discussions, videos, readings, panels, site visits, leadership development, assignments, and individual and group activities in a hybrid (combination of virtual and in-person) or fully virtual format.

Selection and Screening: The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai is responsible for recruiting and nominating candidates for the program from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.

The final selection of candidates is made by the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the State Department in Washington, D.C.

The application period for this program is now closed. Stay tuned for when the next round of recruitment will open.

Link to application: https://heq9004cwdp.typeform.com/ChennaiGKSEI

Note:  The exchange is a non-degree program and therefore it is up to the institution/university to determine whether any credits accumulated during the program would be considered for evaluation/promotion of the participating students once they return from the United States and resume their education in India. The candidate should be prepared that this may delay their graduation from their home university by 6 weeks to one year based on the duration of the exchange program.

2023-2024 Community College Initiative (CCI) Program

The Community College Initiative (CCI) Program provides participants from underserved areas and underrepresented groups with a one-year non-degree academic program at a U.S. community college.  The program is designed to build participants’ technical skills in applied fields, enhance their leadership capabilities, and strengthen their English language proficiency.  The program also provides opportunities for professional internships, service learning, and cultural exchange through community engagement activities.

The eligible fields of study for the 2023-2024 CCI programs include

1. Agriculture (PDF: 124 KB)
2. Applied Engineering (PDF: 124 KB)
3. Business Management/Administration (PDF: 128 KB)
4. Early Childhood Education (PDF: 174 KB)
5. Information Technology (IT) (PDF: 128 KB)
6. Digital Media, Journalism and Communications (PDF: 175 KB)
7. Social Services, Health, & Public Safety (PDF: 124 KB)
8. Tourism & Hospitality Management (PDF: 122 KB)

Eligibility:  To apply to the program, candidates must have the following requirements:

• Is an Indian citizen and is not a U.S. citizen.
• Is currently residing in India.
• Is 18 years or older by the beginning of the program – July 1, 2023.
• Has successfully earned a secondary school diploma.
• Has not earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Has some academic or work experience or demonstrated rationale for selecting a particular field of study.  The program aims to identify participants with proven skills or interest in the fields of study offered.Has basic working knowledge of English language as demonstrated by a minimum TOEFL score of 420.  (Note:  To pursue credit-bearing courses in an academic field of study, the applicant must meet the minimum language requirements of the host college—usually 500 on the TOEFL test, or equivalent scores on other standardized tests.  English language training will be necessary and is available for those who do not demonstrate this level of proficiency. All participants will be retested upon arrival at their host institutions. The host campus testing result will be the score used to determine course placements.)
• Has limited or no overseas study experience.
• Nominees with no prior overseas study or travel to the United States will be given placement priority.
• Submits a complete original application.
• Is able to receive a U.S. J-1 visa and meet the program conditions to maintain that status.
• Is willing and physically able (with accommodations as required) to complete the program in its entirety, including activities or travel that may be programmed on any day of the week, possibly including early morning or evening hours.
• Is committed to returning to their home country after completion of the program and satisfying the J-visa, two-year residency requirement.
• Is able to begin the academic exchange program in the United States in July or August 2023.

Applicants with Bachelor’s degrees, Masters, or Ph.D. degrees are not eligible to participate.  Candidates who are slated to complete their graduation in 2022 are also not eligible to apply.

Please note that applicants to the applied engineering field will need to have a solid foundation in math and will need to take a math placement exam at their host campuses to be eligible for credit-bearing courses.

Logistical Details: Selected students will be provided with the following:

• J-1 visa support
• Round trip travel from participant’s home city to host institution in the United States
• Tuition and mandatory college fees
• Housing and meals
• Small allowance for books and incidental expenses
• Limited Accident and Sickness coverage
• A variety of personal and professional development activities
• Selected candidates may need to forward fund/pay for some initial costs like that of passport issuance, travel & lodging during the English Language Testing, pre-departure visa process, medical tests and immunizations, and a few other minor costs. These costs will be reimbursed.

Students will be hosted in groups by community colleges that are competitively selected to participate in the program.  Programs are approximately one year in duration.  Successful participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the year.  Students are required to return home at the end of their program and may not transfer to a four-year U.S. academic institution.

Submission of Applications:
Completed applications should reach our office on or before Sunday, November 20, 2022.  The candidates should have completed their 12^th grade (class 12) and are now either working or studying.  Work experience (a minimum of six months) in the relevant fields for the program for which they are applying will be an additional qualification for selection.

Selection and Screening: The Public Affairs Sections of the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai is responsible for recruiting and nominating candidates for the program from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.  Only shortlisted candidates will be informed and interviewed by Consulate officials in late November.  Selected candidates will have to appear for the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) around mid-December 2022.

The final selection of candidates is made by the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the State Department in Washington, D.C. 

The application period for this program is now closed. Stay tuned for when the next round of recruitment will open.

Link to application: https://heq9004cwdp.typeform.com/CCIPChennai

Website:  https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/community-college-initiative-program

Note:  The CCI exchange is a non-degree programs and therefore it is up to the institution/university to determine whether any credits accumulated during the program would be considered for evaluation/promotion of the participating students once they return from the United States and resume their education in India. The candidate should be prepared that this may delay their graduation from their home university by one year.

Study of the U.S. Institutes for Global Student Leaders (SUSI-GSL)

Program Dates: late June 2023 through early August 2023

Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Global Student Leaders are intensive short-term academic programs that provide groups of undergraduate student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills.  The Institutes consist of a four-week academic residency with a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations and lectures.  Site visits, leadership development, cultural activities, and community service complement the coursework and academic sessions.  Note that if the program must take place virtually, participants will engage in similar activities but online from their home countries.

Participants are expected to be highly motivated first through third year undergraduate students from colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher education, who demonstrate leadership through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.  Emphasis should be made on nominating participants from historically underserved and disadvantaged groups, including women, minority communities, and individuals with disabilities, and who have little or no international experience.

The SUSI-GSL on Religious Diversity and Democracy (SUSI-GSL RD&D) will enhance participants’ knowledge of U.S. history, government, institutions, society, and culture within the context of the theme.  Participants will explore the intersection of religious diversity and pluralism with American democracy; the First Amendment and separation of church and state; early religious traditions and the current religious landscape of the United States; conflict resolution and interfaith dialogue in a democracy; and the engagement of faith groups in civil society and the voluntary sector.  The Institute will incorporate a focus on U.S. historical events as well as contemporary American life, including current political, social, and economic debates in a pluralistic society.  Participants will engage with networks promoting interfaith dialogue and empowering underserved religious, ethnic, and political groups.

Candidate profile for SUSI-GSL RD&D: ideal candidates will –

• demonstrate English language proficiency (speaking, reading, writing, listening);
• demonstrate interest in the topic of Religious Diversity and Democracy;
• be between 18 and 25 years of age;
• have at least one semester left of their undergraduate studies, and be committed to returning to their home universities following completion of the program;
• demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university and community activities;
• indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States;
• have a sustained high level of academic achievement, as indicated by grades, awards, and teacher recommendations;
• demonstrate commitment to community service and extracurricular university activities;
• have little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States or elsewhere outside of their home country;
• be mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful, and inquisitive;
  be willing and able to fully participate in an intensive academic program, community service, and educational travel; and be comfortable with campus life, prepared to share living accommodations, and able to adjust to cultural and social practices different from those of their home country.

 The SUSI GSL for Young Women Leaders on Public Policy (SUSI-GSL YWLPP) will examine topics including, but not limited to, women in public service, the roles of government, private sector, civil society, and media in the policymaking process, and public policy as it relates to education, public health, economic issues, technology and privacy, and diversity and inclusion, among others.

It will examine the history and participation of women in public life in the United States.  The Institutes focus on two major areas: (1) Developing participants’ leadership skills in areas such as critical thinking, communication, decision-making and managerial abilities; and (2) Placing these abilities in the context of the history and participation of women in U.S. politics, economics, culture, and society.

Candidate profile for SUSI-GSL YWLPP: ideal candidates should –

• be female;
• demonstrate English language proficiency (speaking, reading, writing, listening);
• demonstrate interest in the Institute topic;
• be between 18 and 25 years of age;
• have at least one semester left of their undergraduate studies, and be committed to returning to their home universities following completion of the program;
• demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university and community activities;
• indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States;
• have a sustained high level of academic achievement, as indicated by grades, awards, and teacher recommendations;
• demonstrate commitment to community service and extracurricular university activities;
• have little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States or elsewhere outside of their home country;
• be mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful, and inquisitive;
• be willing and able to fully participate in an intensive academic program, community service,  and educational travel; and
• if the program is conducted in-person, be comfortable with campus life, prepared to share living accommodations, and able to adjust to cultural and social practices different from those of their home country.

Funding: ECA will cover all participant costs, including program administration; international and visa travel, travel allowances, domestic travel and ground transportation; book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances; and housing and subsistence within set budgets and in coordination with U.S. Consulate, Chennai.

Housing and Meal Arrangements: Housing will be in university dormitories located on campus or full-service hotels within walking distance of most classroom activities.  Male and female participants will be housed in separate quarters.  Participants will be expected to share a room and bathrooms.  Most meals will be provided at campus facilities, though participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own. Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing and medical care are satisfied.

Program Requirements and Restrictions: Selected participants are expected to participate fully in the academic program. They should attend all lectures and organized activities, and complete assigned readings.  The Institute is very intensive and that there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program. Under no circumstances are participants allowed to arrive in the U.S. prior to the start date of the Institute or remain in the U.S. after its end date. Similarly, participants will not be allowed to leave the Institute to visit relatives or friends while in the U.S. 

Virtual Program Contingency: Should health, safety, and travel conditions continue to pose significant challenges, the SUSI will pivot to a virtual format.  The virtual program would consist of a minimum of 36 hours of required programming with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning.  To the extent possible, the virtual programming would include lectures, small group discussions, videos, readings, panels, site visits, leadership development, assignments, and individual and group activities.  Participants will be expected to fully participate in the entire virtual program from their locations.

The application period for this program is now closed. Stay tuned for when the next round of recruitment will open.

Link to application: https://heq9004cwdp.typeform.com/SUSI-GSLChennai

Website: https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/study-us-institutes-student-leaders

Note:  The SUSI-GSL exchange is a non-degree programs and therefore it is up to the institution/university to determine whether any credits accumulated during the program would be considered for evaluation/promotion of the participating students once they return from the United States and resume their education in India. The candidate should be prepared that this may delay their graduation from their home university by 6 weeks to one year based on the duration of the exchange program.

2023-2024 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD)

The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) provides a diverse group of emerging student leaders with a scholarship for one semester of non-degree academic study at a U.S. college or university. Global UGRAD is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State and aims to recruit participants from underrepresented backgrounds who have not had other opportunities to study in the United States. Successful applicants can expect an in-depth exposure to U.S. society, culture, and academic institutions, as well as opportunities to enhance their professional skills.

All participants will be enrolled for one semester in full-time, non-degree, undergraduate coursework chosen from their host institution’s existing curriculum. Participants will be required to take one, 3-credit U.S. studies course to enhance their understanding of the United States. Participants will live in campus housing facilities with American peers and will be required to participate in 20 hours of community service. There will also be a virtual arrival orientation and an in-person end-of-program workshop. 

Eligibility:

1. Applicants must be a citizen of the country in which they apply for the Global UGRAD Program.
2. Applicants must be studying in the country in which they apply for the Global UGRAD Program.
3. Scholarships will be granted to students who currently are enrolled in full-time undergraduate programs only, having completed a minimum of their first semester of study. Participants must have at least one semester or an equivalent term to complete at their home institutions upon completion of the Global UGRAD Program.
4. Applicants should demonstrate leadership potential through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.
5. Applicants must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 48iBT to be considered. Students who score between 48-60 will be considered for the virtual English Language Training prior to the exchange portion of the program. Students must achieve a minimum score of 61 to be eligible to participate in the exchange portion of the program in the United States.
6. Preference will be given to those who have had little or NO experience in the United States or outside of their home countries.
7. Applicants are required to return directly to their home country after the completion of the program.
8. Applicants are over 18 years of age.

Academics- Global UGRAD is a non-degree program. Participants may not be able to transfer credits from their U.S. host university to their home university. The candidate should be prepared that this may delay their graduation from their home university. Neither World Learning nor their U.S. host institution can guarantee enrollment in specific courses for the purposes of transfer.

All students must provide official university transcripts with their current academic standing. Students should be in good academic standing at their home university in order to be considered for the Program.

Application and Program Timeline:

Applications will be accepted from November 1, 2022 to December 15, 2022 for the 2023-2024 academic year. Participants will be placed at a U.S. university in either the fall 2023 semester (August – December 2023) or spring 2024 semester (January to May 2024).

The application period for this program is now closed. Stay tuned for when the next round of recruitment will open.

2023-2024 Global UGRAD: Prospective Student Application – https://webportalapp.com/sp/closed/ugrad_student_application_2023

Website: https://www.worldlearning.org/program/global-undergraduate-exchange-program

2023 Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Scholars Exchange Program

Institute Themes:

1. The Institute on American Politics and Political Thought will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced and highly motivated foreign university faculty and practitioners insight into how intellectual and political movements have influenced American political institutions and American democracy.  The Institute will explore the shaping of American identity and the chemistry between that identity and U.S. history, politics, and the democratic process.  The Institute will cover a broad range of American experiences that have influenced and been influenced by American national identity.  The Institute will provide a deeper understanding of major currents in U.S. political thought, from the colonial period to the present, and explore contemporary U.S. political and social debates and public policy, relating them back to U.S. political thought and American identity.  The University of Montana (UM) in Missoula, MT will administer this program; the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA will host the Institute in Amherst, MA.

Program dates: late June 2023 through early August 2023

2. The Institute on Contemporary American Literature will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced and highly motivated foreign university faculty and practitioners with a deeper understanding of U.S. society and culture, past and present, through an examination of contemporary American literature.  The Institute will examine how major contemporary writers, schools, and movements reflect the U.S. literary canon.  The Institute will also explore the diverse communities and voices that constitute the American literary landscape and expose participants to writers who are establishing new directions for American literature.  The Institute will cover a variety of contemporary American writers and writing and suggest how the themes explored reflect larger currents within contemporary U.S. society and culture.  The University of Montana (UM) in Missoula, MT will administer and host this Institute.

Program dates: late June 2023 through early August 2023

3. The Institute on Journalism and Media will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced and highly motivated foreign journalism instructors and other related specialists with a deeper understanding of the roles that journalism and the media play in U.S. society. The Institute will examine the role of journalists in recognizing and preventing disinformation and will explore strategies for media and information literacy to counter disinformation.  Additionally, the Institute will examine best practices in journalism by discussing the rights and responsibilities of the media in a democratic society, including editorial independence, journalistic ethics, legal constraints, and international journalism.  The program will also highlight the impact of technology in journalism, including the influence of the digital economy, globalization of the news media, and other changes that are transforming the profession.  The University of Montana (UM) in Missoula, MT will administer this program; Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ will host the Institute.

Program dates: late June 2023 through early August 2023

4. The Institute on U. S. Culture, Identity, and Society will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced and highly motivated foreign university faculty and other specialists with a deeper understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions through the lens of diversity and national unity.  The Institute will examine the ethnic, racial, social, economic, political, and religious contexts in which various cultures have manifested in U.S. society while focusing on the ways in which these cultures have influenced social movements and American identity throughout U.S. history.  The program will draw from a diverse disciplinary base and will itself provide a model of how a foreign university might approach the study of American culture and society.  The University of Montana (UM) in Missoula, MT will administer this program; New York University in New York, NY will host the Institute.

Program dates: late June 2023 through early August 2023

5. The Institute on U. S. Economics and Sustainable Development will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced foreign university faculty, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers with a deeper understanding of key components and structures of the U.S. economy.  Using a multidisciplinary approach, the program will explore various topics of socioeconomics; how financial institutions, investors, and businesses interact to support sustainable economic development, innovation, and growth; and increasing diverse and equitable employment through institutional regulation, social inclusion strategies, and private and public policies.  Throughout the Institute, participants will examine the interplay of climate change, U.S. business innovation, corporate regulation, entrepreneurship, and economic theory.  Participants will have opportunities to learn about key institutions and stakeholders in the U.S. economy and meet with a diverse range of business leaders and small business owners, among others.  The University of Montana (UM) in Missoula, MT will administer this program; the Institute for Training and Development (ITD), in conjunction with Suffolk University, will host the Institute in Amherst and Boston, MA.

Program dates: late June 2023 through early August 2023

6. The Institute on U. S. Foreign Policy will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced and highly motivated foreign university faculty and practitioners with a deeper understanding of new approaches to U.S. foreign policy and how U.S. foreign policy is formulated and implemented.  The Institute will include a historical review of significant events, individuals, and philosophies that have shaped U.S. foreign policy.  The program will explain the role of key influences on U.S. foreign policy including the executive and legislative branches of government, the media, the U.S. public, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, and multilateral institutions.  The Institute will also examine the current U.S. foreign policymaking landscape and emerging trends that are shaping policy.  The University of Montana (UM) in Missoula, MT will administer this program; the University of Delaware will host the Institute in Newark, DE.

Program dates: late June 2023 through early August 2023

Other Essential Information:

Program Funding: The U.S. Department of State will cover all participant costs, including program administration; travel and ground transportation in the United States; housing and subsistence; and book, cultural, mailing, and incidental allowances. 

Program Requirements and Restrictions: All participants are expected to participate fully in the program. Candidates should be made aware that they are applying for an intensive program and there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program. The Institute is not a research program. Participants must attend all lectures and organized activities and complete assigned readings. Family members and/or friends may not accompany participants on any part of the program. Please note that Institute curriculum will not formally address teaching methodology and pedagogical methods. Please make these requirements clear to all nominees.

Expectations: Violations of program rules, U.S. host institution rules, or U.S. local, state or federal laws can be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program.  It is important that these requirements and restrictions be made clear to all candidates before nominations are submitted.

Virtual Program Contingency: Should health, safety, and travel conditions continue to pose significant challenges, the SUSI will pivot to a virtual format.  The virtual program will consist of a minimum of 36 hours of required programming and will be a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning.  To the extent possible, the virtual programming will include lectures, small group discussions, videos, readings, panels, site visits, assignments, and individual and group activities.  Participants are required to fully participate in the entire virtual program from their home location outside the United States.

Connectivity: Should the program need to pivot to a virtual format, participants would need access to a computer and a stable internet connection.  If a participant does not have a computer or adequate internet access, the University of Montana (UM) will work with the participant to facilitate computer access on an as-needed basis.  Participants would be expected to actively engage in all program activities, and therefore, they should notify immediately the host institution and post of any issues with their online access during the duration of the program as well as any difficulties affecting their participation. 

Housing and Meal Arrangements: When possible, each participant will have a private room with a shared bathroom during the residency portion (four weeks) of the Institute. However, private room accommodations are not guaranteed. During the study tour (up to two weeks), participants will likely share a hotel room with another participant of the same gender. During the residency, housing will typically be in college or university owned housing. Most meals will be provided at campus facilities, though participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own. Full details will be provided once approved. Please explain the above possible housing arrangements to your nominees to ensure that they are comfortable with such arrangements, particularly sharing a room with another participant during the study tour. Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied. Should a participant need to quarantine due to positive COVID-19 test results, accommodations will follow Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and host institution guidelines. 

Travel Arrangements: The U.S. Consulate General Chennai will coordinate with the selected participants regarding travel and visa arrangements. 

Health Benefits: All participants will receive the Department of State’s coverage of $100,000, with a $25 co-pay per medical visit and $75 co-pay per emergency room visit, for the duration of the program. COVID-19 is treated like any other illness under the ASPE (Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges) policy.

Candidates Description and Qualifications:

The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars are highly competitive. Priority will be given to candidates who have firm plans to enhance, update or develop courses and/or educational materials with a U.S. Studies focus or component; who have no prior or limited experience in the United States; and who have special interest in the program subject areas as demonstrated through past scholarship, accomplishments, and professional duties.

Candidates should be mid-career, typically between the ages of 30-45, highly motivated, experienced scholars and professionals generally from institutions of higher education or research focused organizations. While the educational level of participants will likely vary, most should have graduate degrees and have substantial knowledge of the thematic area of the Institute or a related field.

Ideal candidates are individuals whose home institution is seeking to introduce aspects of U.S. studies into its curricula, to develop new courses in the subject of the Institute, to enhance and update existing courses on the United States, or to offer specialized seminars/workshops for professionals in U.S. studies areas related to the program theme. While the nominee’s scholarly and professional credentials are an important consideration, the potential impact and multiplier effect of the Institute is equally important. Ideal candidates will have little or no prior experience in the United States.

Candidates must demonstrate English language fluency. Institutes are rigorous and demanding programs. Participants will be expected to handle substantial reading assignments in English and to fully and actively participate in all seminar and panel discussions. English fluency is vital to a successful experience in the Institute, both for your participant and participants from other countries.

Candidates should be willing and able to fully take part in an intensive post-graduate level academic program and study tour. It is important that posts and Commissions nominate only persons who are likely to be comfortable with campus life and an active program schedule. 

The application period for this program is now closed. Stay tuned for when the next round of recruitment will open.

Link to application: https://heq9004cwdp.typeform.com/SUSIChennai 

The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators

Program Description:

SUSIs for Secondary Educators will provide three multinational groups of 20 experienced secondary school educators (including teachers, administrators, teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, Ministry of Education officials, and others) with a deeper understanding of U.S. society, education, and culture – past and present.  The Institutes focus on providing content and materials for participants to develop high school level curricula about the United States.

Two of the Institutes are tailored for secondary school teachers; please note that the Institutes for Teachers focus on content and materials about the United States rather than teaching methods and pedagogy.  The third Institute is tailored for experienced administrators including teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, Ministry of Education officials, and others.

Through a combination of traditional, multi-disciplinary, and interdisciplinary approaches, program content will examine the history and evolution of U.S. institutions and values, broadly defined.  The programs will also serve to illuminate contemporary political, social, and economic debates in American society.  The four-week academic residencies will take place at U.S. university and college campuses and will consist of a balanced series of lectures, panels, seminar discussions, readings, workshops, site visits, meetings with practitioners in the field, and cultural activities.  One-week study tours to a different region will complement the academic residencies and showcase the cultural, geographic, and ethnic diversity of the United States.  The program features curriculum based on the study of how America’s foundations and historical development have shaped and continue to inform U.S. politics, economics, and society.  A key cultural component of the program involves community service activities, which will provide participants with a first-hand experience of how volunteerism plays a vital role in U.S. civil society.  The program will offer multiple opportunities for follow-on engagement through alumni webinars, grant-funded follow-on projects, social media, and an alumni workshop.

The University of Montana (UM) in Missoula, will oversee and administer the three SUSIs for Secondary Educators and will conduct one Institute for teachers which will explore American studies through the lens of democracy and citizenship.  The Institute for Training and Development (ITD) in Amherst, Massachusetts will conduct the second Institute for teachers which will explore the ways in which individual rights and social obligations have evolved through American history.  California State University at Chico will conduct the Institute for Administrators and will focus on sociocultural understanding, equitable learning communities, and diversity and inclusion in U.S. education and society.

Other Essential Program Information:

Program Funding: The U.S. Department of State will cover all participant costs, including program administration; travel and ground transportation in the United States; housing and subsistence; and book, cultural, mailing, and incidental allowances. 

Housing and Meal Arrangements: Each participant will have a private room with a shared bathroom during the residency portion (four weeks) of the Institute. However, private room accommodations are not guaranteed. During the study tour (up to two weeks), participants will likely share a hotel room with another participant of the same gender. During the residency, housing will typically be in college or university owned housing. Most meals will be provided at campus facilities, though participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own. Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied. Should a participant need to quarantine due to positive COVID-19 test results, accommodations will follow Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. 

Travel Arrangements: For all Institutes, the implementing partner will arrange and pay for international and visa travel. The U.S. Consulate General Chennai will coordinate with the selected participants regarding travel and visa arrangements. 

Health Benefits: All participants will receive the Department of State’s coverage of $100,000, with a $25 co-pay per medical visit and $75 co-pay per emergency room visit, for the duration of the program. COVID-19 is treated like any other illness under the ASPE (Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges) policy.

Program Requirements and Restrictions: All participants are expected to participate fully in the program. Candidates should be made aware that they are applying for an intensive program and there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program. The Institute is not a research program. Participants must attend all lectures and organized activities and complete assigned readings. Family members and/or friends may not accompany participants on any part of the program. Please note that Institute curriculum will not formally address teaching methodology and pedagogical methods.

Expectations: Violations of program rules, U.S. host institution rules, or U.S. local, state or federal laws can be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program.  It is important that these requirements and restrictions be made clear to all candidates before nominations are submitted.

Virtual Program Contingency: Should health, safety, and travel conditions continue to pose significant challenges, the SUSI will pivot to a virtual format.  The virtual program will consist of a minimum of 36 hours of required programming and will be a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning.  To the extent possible, the virtual programming will include lectures, small group discussions, videos, readings, panels, site visits, assignments, and individual and group activities.  Participants are required to fully participate in the entire virtual program from their home location outside the United States.

Connectivity: Should the program need to pivot to a virtual format, participants would need access to a computer and a stable internet connection.  If a participant does not have a computer or adequate internet access, the University of Montana (UM) will work with the participant to facilitate computer access on an as-needed basis.  Participants would be expected to actively engage in all program activities, and therefore, they should notify immediately the host institution and post of any issues with their online access during the duration of the program as well as any difficulties affecting their participation. 

Candidate Description and Qualifications:

Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators are highly competitive. Priority will be given to candidates who have firm plans to enhance, update or develop courses and/or educational materials with U.S. studies focus or component; who have no prior or limited experience in the United States; and who have special interest in the program subject areas as demonstrated through past scholarship, accomplishments, and professional duties.

Candidates should be mid-career, typically between the ages of 30-50, highly motivated, experienced secondary school teachers and administrators.

Ideal candidates are individuals whose home institution is seeking to introduce aspects of U.S. studies into its curricula, to develop new courses in the subject of the Institute, to enhance and update existing courses on the United States, or to offer specialized seminars/workshops for professionals in U.S. studies areas related to the program theme. While the nominee’s scholarly and professional credentials are an important consideration, the potential impact and multiplier effect from their participation in the Institute is equally important. Ideal candidates will have little or no prior experience in the United States.

Candidates must demonstrate English language fluency. Institutes are rigorous and demanding academic programs conducted entirely in English. Participants will be expected to handle substantial reading assignments in English and are able to participate fully and actively in all seminar and panel discussions. English fluency is vital to a successful experience in the Institute, both for your participant and participants from other countries.

Candidates should be willing and able to fully take part in an intensive post-graduate level academic program and are comfortable with campus life and an active program schedule. 

The application period for this program is now closed. Stay tuned for when the next round of recruitment will open.

Link to application: https://heq9004cwdp.typeform.com/SUSISecChennai

Fulbright-Nehru and Fulbright-Kalam Fellowships for Indian Citizens

Outstanding Indian academics, PhD students, teachers, policy makers, administrators, and professionals are encouraged to apply for the Fulbright-Nehru, Fulbright-Kalam and other Fulbright Fellowships, which are announced in February of each year with varying application deadlines starting May of the same year. Administered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), the Fulbright program is the U.S. government’s flagship educational and cultural exchange program that offers fully funded opportunities to study, teach, or conduct research in the United States. The Fulbright-Nehru and Fulbright-Kalam Fellowships for India are jointly funded by the Governments of India and the United States. For more information, please see https://www.usief.org.in/Fellowships/Fellowships-for-Indian-Citizens.aspx or write to usiefchennai@usief.org.in.