Threatened Scholars Initiative

Afghan Challenge Fund Call for Proposals

The OSUN Threatened Scholars Integration Initiative seeks applications for its Afghan Challenge Fund Initiative (ACF), which offers fellowships for newly arrived Afghans in the US and Canada and the United Kingdom whose research, teaching, and public work have placed them in critical danger and whose continued activity is valuable for the future of their country and society. 

Applicants must seek out a host institution and host institutions must seek out applicants to apply. Only host/applicant paired applications will be eligible. In addition, applicants and host institutions must currently reside in the US, Canada and the United Kingdom to be eligible to apply.  

The ACF seeks to defend and extend Afghan scholars' intellectual, professional and activist contributions and amplify their public voice, with particular focus on the areas of human rights, democracy and constitutionalism, media and journalism, religious pluralism, development economics, drug policy, gender and women, civic education, literature, culture and the arts.

The ACF offers fellowships in two categories:
(1) The Higher Education Fund (e.g. universities, research institutes, and think tanks)
(2) The Civil Society Fund (e.g. NGOs, artistic, journalistic and cultural institutions, such as those listed above, that support democratic and civil societies)

This initiative will award individual fellowships through joint applications of candidates and their proposed hosts. They will be evaluated by ACF staff who will be advised by an independent panel of scholars and civil society professionals.  Fellowship selections will prioritize applications that demonstrate commitments by host Institutions to long-term employment with the host, or a like institution, after the end of the fellowship period.
 
In order to receive an ACF grant, host Institutions must commit to provide a significant portion of the funds for the fellowship, preferably at least 50% of the costs required for the fellow's salary and benefits in the fellowship year. While the exact amount may vary, we anticipate that each ACF fellowship grant will include funding of up to $40,000 as well as access to available professional development and other programs organized by TSI. The specific fellowship configuration will be determined in consultation between the host, the candidate, and ACF staff. 

Please complete the application form online via the link below.
All applicable questions must be answered and all requested documents must be submitted in order to be considered.  
 
To complete the application you will need:
- A fellow integration plan (see application)
- A budget request (see application)

You are also required to submit the following documents:
- Candidate’s CV
- Copy of candidate’s passport, visa, or ID 
- Please list two personal/professional references for the applicant giving their emails and telephone numbers
 
For more information contact: [email protected]

Deadline to apply is March 15

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Cross Reference: Application,Opportunities,Threatened Scholars Initiative