The
Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
invites proposal submissions to conduct the 2012 spring and fall End-of-Program
“Professional Exchanges Congresses” for individuals from Africa, East Asia and
the Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, South and Central Asia
and the Western Hemisphere participating in the Legislative Fellows Program,
the Women’s Empowerment Program, and the Young Entrepreneurs Program.
Legislative
Fellows Program
The Legislative Fellows Program will engage
professionals who are actively involved in the legislative process and/or
policy-making through their work in government, civic education organizations,
citizen advocacy groups, political parties, or election monitoring
organizations. During their time in the United States, the participants will
examine the relationship between civil society and government, and the issue of
public corruption and accountability. Participants will observe the role of
their U.S. counterparts in various levels of the U.S. government, through
placements in Congressional offices (including state/district offices), state
legislatures, city councils/local government bodies, advocacy groups or other
relevant organizations across the United States, engage in dialogue, and
develop plans for projects that support more responsive social and political
institutions.
Women’s Empowerment
The
Women’s Empowerment Program will focus on the unique interests of women in
issues that affect the broader society, including business, civil society, and
journalism. Participants will represent women-owned businesses,
non-governmental organizations, healthcare industries, and educational
institutions. During their 4-6 week fellowships in the United States,
participants will gain firsthand knowledge of how organizations and
institutions advocate on behalf of women and their critical role in community
advancement, while also participating in site visits and specially-designed
seminars.
Young
Entrepreneurs
The
Young Entrepreneurs Program will engage small business owners, business
professionals and business educators, to observe best practices in business,
engage in dialogue with their peers in the U.S., and complete individually
tailored fellowships in appropriate organizations. Participants will increase
their understanding of the links between entrepreneurial activity and free
markets, as well as the importance of transparency and accountability in
business and government through the participants‟ direct involvement in American businesses.
Further information can be found at: http://exchanges.state.gov/grants/open2.html
Eligible
applicants may not submit more than one proposal in this competition. If
more than one proposal is received from the same applicant, all submissions
will be declared technically ineligible and will receive no further
consideration in the review process.
Because the
Department of State only allows an applicant to submit one proposal, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection
process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to submit
the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for
Research at vpr@email.uky.edu
and a copy to their
Associate Dean for Research by Thursday, April 14, 2011:
a) Names and departments of UK Project Director and key personnel
b) Project overview – (1-2 pages) brief description of
activities
A committee will be appointed to review the information
and make a recommendation. The Dept. of State deadline is May 19,
2011. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette
Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).