President Néstor Kirchner Fellowship
Sixth Edition
2016-2017 COMPETITION AWARDING FOUR FELLOWSHIPS
The PNK Fellowship has a unique innovative profile in the region, it is aimed at the training and promotion of political leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean, with experience in the academic field and the public service.
This Fellowship is inspired by the legacy and achievements of former President Néstor Kirchner during his term as President of Argentina (2003-2007), and as the first Secretary General of UNASUR (2010).
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS
The President Néstor Kirchner Fellowship is focused on supporting the training of leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean, working in political/social and academic fields. The Fellowship consists of an exchange of ideas and experiences between the Fellow and academics, politicians, and civil society agents in the city of New York selected based on the academic work presented by the Fellow.
The Fellowship covers a two-week stay in New York (during predetermined dates) and will be based at The New School. The Fellow will present his/her work to students and academics of The New School, will meet with political and civil society leaders, and will take part in various other activities such as visits to local government offices and multinational organizations, as well as tour museums, and public and university libraries, among other activities.
This call for applications will award four Fellowships. Fellowship 1 is a competition for Argentine citizens, and the selected Fellow will come to New York for the fellowship from November 6-19, 2016. Fellowship 2 is a competition for citizens of Latin American and the Caribbean countries, excluding Argentina, and the selected Fellow will come to New York for the fellowship from November 6-19, 2016. Fellowships 3 and 4 are competitions for citizens of Latin America and the Caribbean countries, including Argentina, and the selected Fellows will come to New York for the fellowship from February 26-March 11, 2017.
Profile of Fellowship Applicants
Applicants for Fellowship 1 must be citizens of Argentina; applicants for Fellowship 2 must be citizens of a Latin American and the Caribbean countries, except Argentina; while applicants for Fellowships 3 and 4 must be citizens of any country of Latin America and the Caribbean, including Argentina.
In each of the four cases above, applicants must be in the early stages of their careers, and they must demonstrate proven experience in both of the following two fields: in academia, they must have either completed a postgraduate degree (master or doctorate) within the past 15 (fifteen) years or are currently working towards a postgraduate degree; in politics, public service, or in civil society, they must be either currently working or have previously worked in public service organizations of the state at national, provincial, or municipal levels, in a registered non-governmental organization (NGO), or in an international or regional organization. Applicants must have verifiable experience of a minimum of 4 (four) years and maximum of 15 (fifteen) years in politics, public service, or in civil society.
Applicants must submit a copy of their postgraduate degree(s) or graduate certificate in progress, in addition to certificates showing proof of employment. Applicants are required to possess proficiency in English (Internet-based TOEFL exam score of at least 100, or another test issued by another institution of equivalent level).
The Application and Documents
Applicants must submit a complete Application Form, Essay and certificates. The Essay must be written by the applicant on one of the three topics listed below in relation to Argentina and/or Latin America and the Caribbean:
1. Territories, regions, cities and environment for inclusive development (1. design, sustainable development, transportation and communications infrastructure, housing, urban services -utilities-, social economy, urban economy, urban policy, citizen participation)
2. Media and democracy for inclusive development (1. innovative IT, social media networks, support for education and knowledge, culture and political participation, media democratization, rights to information -quality and access-)
3. Public policies for inclusive development and social justice (1. critique of neoliberal economic model, and promotion of new models for development and growth, definition of the role of the State in income distribution and equity promotion, inclusive public policies -social security, health, employment, infrastructure, economic development, education, science and technology-, human rights, regional cooperation and integration)
The Essay can be either a preview of the applicant’s masters or doctoral thesis in progress; a summary of the completed master or doctoral thesis; or an analysis or critical interpretation of current or completed work in public or social service, identifying the applicant’s role within this context. It’s not recommended to send a future research project. The essay should be between 4,000 and 7,000 words. Longer theses will be accepted, but must be accompanied by a summary of the length mentioned above.
The Application Form and Essay must be submitted in two versions: one in Spanish (or Portuguese) and another in English.
The submission must be filled online in the following website: http://www.becanestorkirchner.org/sitio/solicitud.asp , before May 23, 2016, 5:00pm Buenos Aires time, or 5:00pm New York time.
We suggest to look up the instructions for uploading (pdf) before the submission, available at the same website.
For detailed information about this call, please look up the Rules.
About the Fellowship
The Fellowship consists of a two-week stay at The New School in New York. The Fellowship includes: one roundtrip economy-class plane ticket from the Fellow’s city of residence to New York for the dates stipulated in the implementation schedule of the Fellowship; and one payment of U$S1,000 (one thousand U.S. dollars) as an honorarium and for living expenses.
While in New York, the Fellow will: 1. Present their work and hold a discussion during a seminar, organized by The New School with students and professors from different disciplines (the Fellow’s work will have been previously distributed in writing); 2. Meet with representatives from other universities in New York, political and civil society leaders, as based on the Fellow’s background and interests; 3. Give a public lecture at The New School; and 4. Visit civil society organizations and multilateral institutions (such as The United Nations), local government offices, cultural centers and museums, as well as public and university libraries.
After completion of the Fellowship, the Fellow must deliver an essay between 8,000 and 15,000 words which elaborates on the discussions held, and input and suggestions received throughout the duration of the Fellowship. The essay must be presented in two versions, English and Spanish (or Portuguese), and must be submitted to The New School no later than three months after the conclusion of the Fellowship. Upon approval from The New School and Universidad Nacional de San Martín, the essay will be published in print and digital versions as “Working Papers” of the President Néstor Kirchner Fellowship on the official website.
Selection of the Fellows
On behalf of the OLA/The New School and Universidad Nacional de San Martín, an appointed Evaluation Committee will select the four Fellows. An announcement of the Fellowships awarded will be made publicly in Buenos Aires on August, 2016, and will be published on the official website.
Agenda
February 1st – May 22nd, 2016: Consultation Period: Questions to be sent to info@becanestorkirchner.org .
March 1st, 2016: Opening of the reception of Applications.
May 23rd, 2016: Deadline for submission of Applications.
August, 2016: Announcement in Buenos Aires of the four selected Fellows and subsequent publication of the announcement at the official website.
Calendar of the Fellowships
November 6 – 19, 2016: Fellowship 1 (Fellow from Argentina) and Fellowship 2 (Fellow from Latin America and the Caribbean, excluding Argentina).
February 26 – March 11, 2017: Fellowships 3 and 4 (Fellows from Latin America and the Caribbean, including Argentina).
The organizers reserve the right to modify the planned dates on behalf of production and logistic reasons.
Questions
Questions must be sent to info@becanestorkirchner.org with the subject line “Questions about the PNK Fellowship.” Questions will be accepted and responded to during the Consultation Period (February 1st – May 22nd, 2016).
Applying to this Fellowship implies complete acceptance of the RULES, which can be found on the official website: www.becanestorkirchner.org.
+ Download the 2016-2017 Guidelines for Submission (.pdf)
Tags: Calls, Fellowship
