Are you a high achieving, ambitious student leader interested in pursuing graduate study in the United Kingdom?  Seeking a prestigious scholarship to advance your academic and civic leadership potential? Considering the Rhodes, Marshall, or other UK Scholarship?

These scholarships require nomination by Middlebury College.  In order to allow adequate time to prepare a competitive application to pursue these  highly selective scholarships for the Fall, 2013 application cycle, the deadline to apply internally for nomination  is April 22, 2013.

Two information sessions are being offered to review these and other UK scholarships: Thursday, March 14 at 4;30 in Hillcrest 103, and Wednesday, March 20 at 7:00 PM in Warner 202.  The session will review the opportunities available, and go over the selection criteria, timeline, and application processes for the Marshall, Mitchell, Rhodes and Gates-Cambridge and St. Andrew’s Scholarships.  Students interested in applying this spring are STRONGLY encouraged to attend one of these sessions and be in touch with me before the April 22 deadline. Sophomores who are interested but plan to be away next spring should also attend.  These scholarships are available to alumni; thus, any interested senior should also attend.

Go to the Fellowships website to download application forms for the respective scholarship: go/fellowship.  For more information, contact Amy McGlashan at x5103 or agibansm@middlebury.edu.

Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The programme makes awards to outstanding scholars with leadership potential from around the world to study postgraduate courses at universities in the UK.

The Chevening programme began in 1983 and has developed into a prestigious international scheme. Chevening Scholars come from over 116 countries worldwide (excluding the USA and the EU), and this year the Scholarships will support approximately 700 individuals. There are over 41,000 Chevening alumni around the world who together comprise an influential and highly regarded global network.

The programme provides full or part funding for full-time courses at postgraduate level, normally a one-year Master’s degree, in any subject and at any UK university.

US Citizens are not eligible for this Scholarship but  international students may well be eligible.  You would need to be able to return to your home country for interview and intend to return to your home country at the end of the Scholarship.

There are no age restrictions for Chevening Scholarships. To qualify for a Chevening Scholarship, you must:

• demonstrate that you have achieved a minimum English language requirement (set out below) at the time that you submit your application

• be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country at the time of applying for the award, and intend to return there at the end of the period of study

• hold a degree that is equivalent to at least a good UK second-class honours degree. Further information on UK degree equivalency can be found from UK NARIC

• have completed at least two years’ work or equivalent experience by 30 September 2012

For more information: http://www.chevening.org/apply/guidance

Truman Scholarship Program             Open to Juniors                Middlebury Deadline: Wednesday, November 14, 2012

The Truman Scholarship Program provides funding for graduate or professional study for students with interests in careers in public affairs and public service. The Truman Scholarship recognizes college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education or elsewhere in the public service; and to provide them with financial support for graduate study, leadership training, and fellowship with other students who are committed to making a difference through public service.  Scholars are required to work in public service for three of the seven years following completion of a Foundation-funded graduate degree program as a condition of receiving Truman funds.

600-700 students apply each year for 60-65 scholarships that are awarded.  Middlebury may nominate up to four candidates.  The final deadline is February 5, 2013.

 Eligibility: Students who are juniors at the time of application–February of each year–must be nominated by Middlebury College. Nominees must be United States citizens, and must intend to enroll in a graduate program leading to a career in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education or elsewhere in the public service. Students must be in the top quartile of their class, generally requiring a GPA of 3.7 or better.

More information on the Truman Scholarship can be found at: go/fellowships or http://www.middlebury.edu/studentlife/eia/fellowships/db/truman.

For advising and support regarding the preparation of your application, or for more information, contact Amy McGlashan at EIA.

Beinecke Scholarship Program                  Open to Juniors              

Middlebury Deadline: Friday, January 11, 2013

The Beinecke Scholarship provides substantial scholarships for graduate study for students of exceptional promise.  The program seeks to encourage and enable highly motivated students to pursue opportunities available to them and to be courageous in the selection of a graduate course of study in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Approximately 100 highly selective colleges and universities are each invited to nominate one candidate.  20 Beinecke Scholarships will be granted in 2013.  Middlebury is invited to nominate one junior for this award.  The final deadline is February 22, 2013.

Eligibility: Juniors [expecting to receive the BA between December 2013 and August 2014] who represent “superior standards of intellectual ability, scholastic achievement, and personal promise during their undergraduate careers.”  Must have documented history of receiving need-based financial aid during undergraduate years and be a U.S. citizen; must plan to enter a master’s or doctoral program in the arts, humanities, or social sciences (excluding neuroscience).  Level of need will be a consideration at both the nomination and final selection stages of the process.

More information on the Beinecke Scholarship can be found at: go/fellowships or http://www.middlebury.edu/studentlife/eia/fellowships/db/beinecke.  For advising and support regarding the application process, contact Amy McGlashan in EIA.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is pleased to announce the launching of the Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Arts Award to help cultivate the next generation of great artists and writers.  This award, worth up to $50,000 per year, will recognize and reward the most promising up-and-coming artists and writers from lower-income backgrounds.

The Graduate Arts Award will enable up to 15 students with artistic and creative merit and outstanding academic achievement to pursue a graduate degree in the fine arts, performing arts, or creative writing. The award will provide funding for tuition, room and board, required fees, and books, and is renewable for up to three­­­ years.

New this year is a two-phase application process.  Deadline for Phase One of the application is November 28, 2012.  Applicants selected to continue onto Phase Two of the application must be nominated by their undergraduate institution by February 12, 2013.

You can find more information about the scholarship and application materials and instructions on their website:http://www.jkcf.org/scholarships/graduate-scholarships/graduate-arts-award/.

For direct advising and support regarding the application, contact Amy McGlashan in EIA, x5103 or agibansm@middlebury.edu.

Middlebury students are invited to take part in the student competition Challenge your Perspectives. It is an opportunity to compete for a full tuition waiver for a Master’s program at a prestigious Swedish university, worth 98,000US.

The competition Challenge Your Perspectives is your chance to show your skills within a number of areas that distinguish Sweden.

Deadline: Complete and submit all documents by midnight Nov. 4, 2012

Prizes:Three full tuition waivers for an English-taught Master’s degree at one of the following three top ranked Swedish universities:

The International Master’s Program in Political Science at Stockholm University

The Master’s Program in Environmental Management and Policy at Lund University

The Master’s Program in Economics at Uppsala University

Questions?
If you have any questions please take a look at the FAQ page. If you have additional questions send an email at challengeyourperspectives@studentcompetitions.com

Contact:
Web: http://www.challengeyourperspectives.com/
Email: challengeyourperspectives@studentcompetitions.com

Below are several more scholarship opportunities for work in the Middle East, the Arts, and/or Activism that have come across our desks at the Center for Education in Action these last few days.  Feel free to get in touch with a fellowships advisor for help in putting together an application.  Any questions about the scholarships themselves should be directed at the sponsoring organization.

Middle East:                                                                                                                                       1) Israel Teaching Fellows
Israel Teaching Fellows aims to close the achievement gap in Israel’s education system by placing outstanding college graduates as English teachers’ aides in schools throughout Israel. Fellows live in communities throughout Israel and work with local students in need.

To be eligible, you must: be Jewish, be a college graduate, be between the ages of 18 and 30 and not have Israeli citizenship OR if you do, you must have left Israel before the age of 14 and have lived outside of Israel for at least four consecutive years prior to receiving your grant Have not been on an organized program in Israel (including an academic program) of more than four months since September 2004.  The program costs only $1,000 including flight, housing, medical insurance and a monthly stipend. For more information and to apply, visit www.israelteachingfellows.org.

2) The 2012 Mosaic Scholarship program is now accepting applications to support Americans volunteering with an AUA (Unofficial Ambassadors) Directory-listed organization in a Muslim-majority country. Scholarships up to $5,000 can be used to cover program fees and/or travel. Click here <http://unofficialambassadors.com/get-involved/aua-mosaic-scholarship/>  for more information. I have also attached the application and rules/regulations.

Arts:        1)The Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship & Internship Program at the Mead Center for American Theatre in Washington DC offers personalized training opportunities with Arena Stage’s ensemble of resident artists, technicians and administrators. The goal of the program is to cultivate the next generation of theater professionals by providing the highest standard of training through immersion in the art and business of producing theater. Arena Stage provides in-depth, hands-on experience with seasoned professionals.

Fellows and Interns work in the areas of artistic and technical production, arts administration, and arts education and community outreach. Training is supplemented with discussions and workshops with directors, designers and senior staff who provide insight into the overall management of the theater.

Fellowships are only available for full-time, full-season commitments of 38-44 weeks. Internships are available during the summer and require an 8-12 week commitment.  Arena Stage provides a weekly stipend. They are unable to provide housing.

http://www.arenastage.org/education/education-programs/internships-fellowships/

2)  Daring Young Artists to Dream:  Imagine you had everything you needed to share your vision with the world: talent, skill, dedication, desire. Everything, that is, except money.

Activism:                                                                                                                                                     1) ATTENTION STUDENT ACTIVISTS!  Are you organizing for progressive social change?  Leading student movements on your campus or in your community?   The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund has applications available for student activists who are building progressive movements for social change and will be enrolled in school during the 2012-13 academic year. The website provides answers to questions about the Fund, the application process, and the students we support.   www.davisputter.org.

The maximum grant is $10,000 and may be considerably smaller depending on the applicant’s circumstances and the funding available.  Applications and the supporting documents must be postmarked by April 1, 2012.

The Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Arts Award is a significant fellowship opportunity for Middlebury seniors and recent alumni who are pursuing graduate education in the performing and visual arts as well as creative writing. Middlebury may present two nominees to be considered for scholarships of up to $50K a year (International students are eligible). Follow this link to materials regarding eligibility requirements, which are quite specific, including demonstration of financial need:   http://www.jkcf.org/scholarships/graduate-scholarships/graduate-arts-award/eligibility-selection/.                        

Scholars may use the award to attend any accredited graduate school in the US or abroad to pursue a graduate or professional degree in Art, Performance and Studio Art, Creative Writing, Dance, Design, Drama/Theater Arts, Fine Arts, Industrial Design, Music, Radio, Television, and Film (Architecture is not one of the disciplines).

In order to be nominated, you must first go through Middlebury’s selection process.The internal deadline for students and alumni to apply is January 6, 2012. If you are interested, please complete the two steps of the pre-application.  Go to the Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Arts page on our Scholarships and Fellowships website: http://www.middlebury.edu/offices/support/fellowships/forms/jkc.

The College’s two nominees will be notified no later than January 15, 2012 to give them time to complete the Jack Kent Cooke application online by February 9, 2012.

For more information and to more fully inform yourself on the award, the requirements, and criteria, please visit the foundation Web site: http://www.jkcf.org/scholarships/graduate-scholarships/graduate-arts-award/.

Feel free to get in touch with Amy McGlashan with any questions: agibansm@middlebury.edu.

Rising seniors interested in conducting research or teaching English abroad post-graduation?

The US Student Fulbright competition for 2012-13 is now open and the application now available on line.  Instructions and more can be found at: http://us.fulbrightonline.org/applynow.html.

Research applications require a proposal and personal statement, in addition to a letter of affiliation from a university or organization in your target country; English Teaching Assistant (ETA) applications require a statement of grant purpose and a personal statement.  Both require additional forms and references.  Be sure to review country summaries as well as the overall grant requirements and application criteria.

More important, send me drafts of your proposals and statements and revise revise revise!

Good luck and see you in the fall with your applications well underway.

Attention:  Students planning to apply for a Fulbright Scholarship grant next fall!  Check out this MiddBlog post by Olivia Noble.  She interviewed three recently-notified Middlebury Fulbright winners, who share what they learned about  pulling together a successful proposal.   http://midd-blog.com/2011/05/02/the-fulbright-grant-program/

Note the early deadlines for 2011-12, so heed their advice to START EARLY.  Come see me or let me know of your intent to apply by June 1:  agibansm@middlebury.edu, x 5103.  I look forward to hearing from you.