:: Higher Education in the 21st Century: Access and Equity
DEADLINE: June 23, 2006

The Fulbright New Century Scholars Program (NCS) brings together annually 30 outstanding research scholars and professionals from the United States and around the world. NCS Scholars engage in multidisciplinary collaboration under the leadership of a Distinguished Scholar Leader and work together to seek solutions to issues and concerns that affect all humankind.

In its 5th year, NCS will continue to address critical issues in higher education around the globe, and will focus on “Higher Education in the 21st Century: Access and Equity.” Dr. Bruce Johnstone, Director, Center for Comparative and Global Studies in Education at the State University of New York at Buffalo, will serve as the Distinguished Scholar Leader./p>

Overview

Higher education faces significant challenges throughout the world. Among the most universal and complex are those related to ensuring equitable access for the rapidly growing number of individuals seeking education at the postsecondary level. Meeting the burgeoning demand for higher education and developing policies and resources that provide the benefit of higher education to diverse populations of students will require national commitment and international cooperation. In today’s global, knowledge-based economy, the economic growth and social well being of nations around the world are increasingly dependent on a well-educated workforce and individual access to quality education. Understanding the principal components of this challenge and the relationship between cultural norms, social and political policies and the development of higher education will require deeper understanding in order to realize the goals to expand access and equity.

The Fulbright New Century Scholars Program provides an ideal vehicle for the kind of cross cultural and transnational examination that will contribute to a significant comparative analysis of access and equity issues. By bringing together a diverse group of scholars and educational leaders to examine the topic in national and international settings, NCS will seek constructive ways for contemporary institutions to develop policies responding to the challenge of ensuring equitable access within the framework of higher education in the 21st century.

Three themes related to the central topic of access and equity in higher education will be examined:

1. Cultural and societal norms that affect access and equity
2. Role of K-16 in limiting or advancing access to higher education
3. Resources and polices that provide greater access to higher education

Program Activities :

To create a platform for collaborative thinking and pursuit of tangible solutions to the challenges posed by theme, NCS provides participants with specific opportunities to come together during the program year:

• Orientation and goal setting session
• Mid-term meeting
• Final plenary seminar
• International exchange opportunity of two/three months
• Ongoing discussion and interaction among NCS fellows throughout program year

NCS Scholars are expected to participate in all activities of the program and to contribute to the collaborative goals of the program throughout the program year.

Eligibility Requirements:

Outstanding scholars, academic administrators, and professionals of any rank and in any field related to the NCS are invited to apply. Applicants with strong interdisciplinary and comparative interests are especially welcome.

• Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant field.

• U.S. applicants must have U.S. citizenship and be permanently residing in the United States at the time of application.

• Non-U.S. applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of and residing in the country from which they are applying

• Non-U.S. applicants must submit their applications through a participating Fulbright Commission or Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in their home countries

• Fluency in English

Approximately one-third of the participants will be U.S. scholars, and the remaining two thirds will be visiting scholars from outside the United States.

Awards / Benefits :

• Individual travel/research awards in the amount of $37,000
• Accommodations and meals for program seminars

NCS awards are intended to provide support for travel to all program meetings, travel and maintenance for the exchange visit, research materials and assistance, and some salary replacement.

Tentative Timeline

February 2006
NCS Program announced and application materials available

July 17, 2006
Deadline for submission of application materials for U.S. applicants
Non-U.S. applicants should consult with their local Fulbright office for the relevant application
deadline

Oct/Nov 2006
Fulbright New Century Scholars announced

February 2007
NCS orientation

February 2007
Exchange visits may begin

July 2007
Mid-term seminar

March 2008
Final plenary seminar

Application Procedures and Checklist : Each candidate will be required to submit

(a)  a New Century Scholars Program application cover page. Download HERE

(b) Two Letters of Reference, with Application Reference Forms. Download HERE

(c) a project abstract(not to exceed two single-spaced paragraphs)

(d) a proposal, not to exceed four typed, single-spaced pages, and one-page bibliography of relevant sources;

(e)  Tailored curriculum vitae, not to exceed 8 pages, including list of relevant publications; and

(f)  Letter of Invitation from host institutiont

Pakistani citizens must submit their applications, including the reference letters, no later than June 23, 2006 , to the U.S. Educational Foundation in Pakistan (No.16, Street 84, G-6/4, P.O. Box 1128, Islamabad).