SCHOLARSHIPS: Open Society Civil Society Leadership master’s degree scholarships, 2016-2017

Applications are invited for Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA) available for fully funded master’s degree study at universities participating in the CSLA program.

Scholarships Awards are available to individuals who clearly demonstrate academic and professional excellence and a deep commitment to leading positive social change in their communities.

CSLA directly assists future leaders in countries where civil society is challenged by a deficit of democratic practice in local governance and social development.

Competition for CSLA scholarships is open and merit-based. The application deadline is September 15, 2015.

Study Subject(s): Awards are available in the following fields: Communications & Media, Culture, History & Society, Development Studies, Economics, Education Management & Leadership, Environment & Natural Resource, Management, Gender Studies, Law & Human Rights, Politics & International Studies, Public Health & Health Management, Public Policy & Administration and Social Work & Social Policy.
Course Level: Awards are available for pursuing master degree study at host universities across the world.
Scholarship Provider: Open Society Foundation
Scholarship can be taken at: China, France, Hungary, India, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, UK and USA

Eligibility: CSLA does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
-Be a citizen of an eligible country;
-Demonstrate maturity, flexibility, and civil society leadership potential;
-Have excellent academic records and an earned bachelor’s degree before applying;
-Have proficiency in the language of instruction (English or French) at the desired university program, as evidenced by standardized language test scores;
-Be able to participate in an intensive academic writing program in July or August 2015 and start their degree program in August or September 2015;
-Be able to receive and maintain a visa or study permit as required by the host country; and
-Demonstrate a clear commitment to return to their home country or region to continue supporting open society development.

Scholarship Open for International Students: Awards are open for citizens of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Laos, Libya, Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Scholarship Description: The Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA) provide fully funded master’s degree study to individuals who clearly demonstrate academic and professional excellence and a deep commitment to leading positive social change in their communities. CSLA directly assists future leaders in countries where civil society is challenged by a deficit of democratic practice in local governance and social development.

Number of award(s): Not Known

Duration of award(s): Not Known

What does it cover? Successful applicants will receive the following support:
-Tuition and mandatory university fees
-Monthly stipend for room, board, and other living expenses
-Program-related travel
-Accident and sickness insurance during the program
-Funds for educational materials and professional development
-All costs associated with an annual student conference
-Possible internship support
-Pre-university academic program in July or August that prepares finalist for the rigors of graduate level academic study.

Selection Criteria: Competition for CSLA scholarships is open and merit-based. Selection is based on an applicant’s fit with the program’s objectives as well the graduate admissions criteria of the participating universities. Academic excellence, professional aptitude, leadership potential in the field of specialization, proven commitment to open society values, and appropriate language proficiency are all important factors in evaluation. All eligible applicants will be reviewed by the selection committee; applicants are evaluated for a clear demonstration of intellectual potential and commitment to positive social change. The proposed field of study should be logical for the goals expressed in the essays, and the application itself should be organized and complete. Compelling candidates will be interviewed by a selection committee comprised of university representatives and Open Society Foundations/CSLA staff.

Notification: Those chosen to continue in the competition as semi-finalists are required to take an official TOEFL or IELTS test in November 2015. Testing costs will be covered by CSLA. Some semi-finalists may also be invited to submit full applications to potential host universities; In November 2015, semi-finalists will be invited for an in-person, Skype, or telephone interview. Finalists will be notified by January 2016. Please note that all awards are conditional subject to university placement confirmation by CSLA staff or partner organizations; Successful finalists will be notified via email of their placement by April 2016.

How to Apply: Interested applicants must complete and submit an online or paper CSLA application in English to be considered for CSLA support. Please note that some universities require a separate application for graduate study at that institution. In these cases, OSF will notify candidates and assist with the university application process.

Application Form