DESCRIPTION: The
American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS) is pleased to invite applications
for Mellon Research Fellowships in India.* Funds for
the fellowships have been provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (http://www.mellon.org) for the purpose of
bringing East-Central European scholars into a broader research
community. AIIS is offering two fellowships to scholars from East
European and Baltic countries including the Czech Republic, Hungary,
Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Applicants must hold the PhD or its equivalent. They may engage in
advanced research in any field of the humanities and allied social sciences
involving India. The fellowships cover three months of research to be
carried out in India. The program offers a stipend up to $11,500 to cover
the costs of conducting the scholar's research project, including travel,
living expenses, and work-related costs. The Council of American Overseas
Research Centers (http://www.caorc.org)
administers the Mellon Fellowship Program.
ELIGIBILITY:
Scholars from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia,
and Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, who hold a PhD. degree or its equivalent
and who are citizens or permanent residents of one of the nine included
countries are eligible to apply. Preference is given to scholars in the
early stages of their careers who have not had the opportunity for extensive
travel. Fellows are expected to devote full time to their projects in
India and to participate in the activities of the Institute.
RESEARCH
PERMISSION: Indian law requires all foreign scholars to obtain formal
permission for any research to be carried out in India prior to entering the
country. All AIIS fellows must obtain Indian research visas in order to
carry out their projects in India. The AIIS office in India will submit
applications for Government of India Project Approval and Visa Authorization to
the Indian Government. The necessary forms are included in the application
packet.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Applications consist of 1) a completed Mellon fellowship application form; 2) a project statement, in English, of no longer than six pages, double-spaced outlining the project and its significance; 3) a current curriculum vitae; 4) an application for Government of India Project Approval and Visa Authorization; 5) seven passport-size photographs; 6) a photocopy of the first page of your passport; and 7) three letters of reference from scholars in the applicant's field commenting on the value and feasibility of the project and the applicant’s ability to carry it out. The Mellon fellowship application form and Government of India Project approval form are located on the web at www.indiastudies.org/MELLON.htm. Forms may also be requested to be sent by mail from the AIIS office in Chicago. Applications and supporting letters must be submitted by November 1, 2007, to the American Institute of Indian Studies, 1130 E. 59th Street, Chicago, IL 60637 USA. For further information contact AIIS, telephone: (773) 702-8638; fax: (773) 702-6636; e-mail: aiis@uchicago.edu. AIIS expects to notify applicants of the decision of the Committee on Fellowships by the end of January 2008.
Application for Government of India project approval and visa authorization
*AIIS-Mellon
Fellowships are funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation