2014-2015 President Néstor Kirchner Fellowship
Organized by:
Observatory on Latin America OLA/The New School, New York, United States
Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
The PNK Fellowship has a unique and innovative profile in the region. The Fellowship focuses on training and supporting young leaders in Argentina and South America who have demonstrated commitment to both academia and 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).
2014-2015 COMPETITION AWARDING THREE FELLOWSHIPS
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS
The President Nestor Kirchner Fellowship is focused on supporting the training of leaders in South America, 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 three Fellowships. Fellowship 1 is a competition for Argentine citizens, and the selected Fellow will come to New York for the Fellowship from November 2-15, 2014. Fellowship 2 is a competition for citizens of South American countries, excluding Argentina, and the selected Fellow will come to New York for the fellowship from February 22-March 7, 2015. Fellowship 3 is a competition for citizens of countries in South America, including Argentina, and the selected Fellow will come to New York for the fellowship from February 22-March 7, 2015.
Profile of Fellowship Applicants
Applicants for Fellowship 1 must be citizens of Argentina; applicants for Fellowship 2 must be citizens of a South American country, except Argentina; while applicants for Fellowship 3 must be citizens of any country of South America, including Argentina. That it is to say that only citizens of Argentina can apply for Fellowship 1; only citizens of a South American country except Argentina can apply for Fellowship 2: i.e. Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay, and Venezuela; and only citizens of any South American country (including Argentina) can apply for Fellowship 3: i.e. Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
In each of the three 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, or in a registered non-governmental organization (NGO). 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 twelve topics listed below in relation to Argentina and/or South America:
1. Territories, regions, cities and environment for inclusive development (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 (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 (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 (both forms can be completed here). To learn more, read the Rules.
Applications must be completed in http://www.becanestorkirchner.org/sitio/solicitud.asp, before May 31, 2014, 5:00pm Buenos Aires time, or 5:00pm New York time.
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 of 2 or 3 sessions, 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 three Fellows. An announcement of the Fellowships awarded will be made publicly in Buenos Aires on August, 2014, and will be published on the official website.
Agenda
February 1st – May 30th, 2014: Consultation Period: Questions to be sent to info@becanestorkirchner.org.
March 1st, 2014: Opening of the reception of Applications for Fellowships 1, 2 and 3.
May 31st, 2014: Deadline for submission of Application Forms and Documents.
August, 2014: Announcement in Buenos Aires of the three selected Fellows and subsequent publication of the announcement at the official website.
Calendar of the Fellowships
November 2 – 15, 2014: Fellowship 1 (Fellow from Argentina).
February 22 – March 7, 2015: Fellowship 2 (Fellow from South America, excluding Argentina), and Fellowship 3 (Fellow from South America, including Argentina).
Questions
Questions may be directed by e-mail 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 30th, 2014).
Applying to this Fellowship implies complete acceptance of the RULES, which can be found on the official website: www.becanestorkirchner.org
+ Download the 2014-2015 Guidelines for Submissions (.pdf)
Tags: Calls
