Research in education, science, political science, economics and/or sociology is encouraged.
The Fellowship Award
PITTSBURGH: The Czechoslovak Connection
Pittsburgh entered Czechoslovak history in May 1918 when the first Czechoslovak president Tomas G. Masaryk came to the city and convened Czechs and Slovaks to approve the Pittsburgh Agreement. This act was one of the elements which led to the proclamation of Czechoslovak national independence on October 28, 1918.
Alice G. Masaryk, the president’s daughter, began her friendship with Ruth Crawford Mitchell (the future Director of the Nationality Rooms Program) in 1919, when Mrs. Mitchell was sent to Prague as head of a YWCA team to conduct a social survey for the Red Cross. Together, under the patronage of President Masaryk, they created Czechoslovakia’s first School of Social Work.
The University of Pittsburgh’s connection with Czechoslovakia began in 1927, when the city’s Czechs and Slovaks formed a committee to create a Czechoslovak Nationality Classroom in its 42-story Cathedral of Learning, then in its planning stages. Alice G. Masaryk was Chairman of the Room Committee while still living in Prague.
The Czechoslovak Nationality Room was dedicated on March 7, 1939. Foreign Minister Jan Masaryk was the speaker at the dedication. His words on that occasion foreshadowed the tragic events of World War II which would soon sweep over Czechoslovakia.
Part of Ruth Crawford Mitchell’s legacy at the Nationality Rooms Program is an annual fellowship which enables a Czech or Slovak professional to conduct research at the University of Pittsburgh during the Fall Term. Applications are encouraged from those who wish to research disciplines in commerce, education, science, public administration, political science, economics, sociology and other sectors.
Fellows will spend the Fall Term (late August – mid December) at the University of Pittsburgh, mentored by a Pitt faculty member. Applicants may contact the Nationality Rooms Program with questions.
The amount of the award is $7,000. The application deadline is March 30 of each year.
PURPOSE:
To bring an individual from the Czech or Slovak Republic’s academic, medical, governmental or commercial sector to the University of Pittsburgh for a term of non-degree research which will enhance the applicant’s career and deal with problems confronting the Czech and Slovak Republics.
ELIGIBILITY:
A citizen who currently resides in the Czech or Slovak Republic, of professional status, and will return there within three months following the completion of the fellowship to pursue his or her career. Applicants must have completed a university degree, and not be currently enrolled in a university program of study. Several years of work experience is mandatory. An excellent working knowledge of English is required as the scholar must function independently in the Pittsburgh environment.
APPLICATION:
Save the application as a PDF and e-mail to Cristina Lagnese, Scholarship Administrator, at mcl38@pitt.edu.
PROPOSAL:
Applicants should not plan to attend formal classes at the University of Pittsburgh due to high tuition costs. However, auditing a course is possible with the permission of the instructor. Arranging informal class visits is the scholar’s responsibility. Proposals should specify a research focus and outline the research methodology.
REFERENCES:
Three references are required, one of them from a University of Pittsburgh faculty member who is willing to advise the scholar concerning the research project while in Pittsburgh, provide a work space and internet access, as well as introductions to resources at the University of Pittsburgh and within the community. All references must be sent via mail and e-mail to Cristina Lagnese, Scholarship Administrator.
DATES AND LENGTH OF STAY:
The research will take place between late August and mid-December (the completion of the fall term) of the calendar year in which the application is made — approximately 3 ½ months. In order to find suitable housing, awardees are strongly advised to arrive before the last week of August when classes begin.
TO APPLICANTS:
The annual Ruth Crawford Mitchell Fellowship offers the opportunity for a mature individual pursuing a government, a business or academic career (students are not eligible) to conduct specific related research at the University of Pittsburgh. This study should further enhance the applicant’s career as well as contribute to the overall body of knowledge within the field and be applicable to problems which confront the Czech or Slovak Republic.
Application checklist
1. Application questionnaire.
2. The scholar must include a reference from a University of Pittsburgh faculty member. The University faculty member must be willing to (1) serve as a mentor and primary contact for the scholar; (2) provide a work area, temporary email account, computer access and introductions to professional resources. Begin at once to identify such a faculty member and contact him/her, so that the person has time to get to know you and your project, and can feel confident in writing a reference for you. The better you and your faculty reference know each other, the more productive your research project will be.
3. Two additional professional references.
4. Curriculum vitae (CV)
5. An English language examination to be administered by a professional English teacher or completion of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
Upon arrival:
6. Contact the Nationality Rooms Program Scholarship Administrator and your faculty mentor.
The Scholarship Administrator will coordinate the offices you need to contact to complete all necessary paperwork.
7. The scholar is responsible for finding his/her own housing.
Email addresses for housing sources are included in the application. There are no residence buildings for international scholars. It is usually easier to find a less expensive room for one person than to locate a short-term furnished apartment for a married couple. If the scholar chooses to bring a spouse, remember that the award is funding for the scholar only. Proof of additional financial resources will be required by the University’s Office of International Services in order to obtain a visa application for the spouse. Temporary housing is available at AirBnB or the Shadyside Inn (see housing section of this packet). You may wish to make use of these venues upon initial arrival, as it may be easier to more thoroughly investigate housing opportunities once you are in the city.
8. The University of Pittsburgh requires the scholar to obtain a U.S. Social Security number.
Plan to do this within ten days after your arrival. All University paperwork requires your U.S. Social Security number. It can take 10-30 days to receive your card. Library resources and access to the data base require a University identification card which cannot be issued without a U.S. Social Security number.
9. The scholar must attend an Office of International Services Orientation Session as soon as possible upon arrival.
For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.nationalityrooms.pitt.edu/content/rcm-fellowship-czechslovak-scholars