Fellowship opportunities through AIIS.
Founded to assist scholars in their study of all aspects of Indian history, culture and contemporary life, the Institute brings about 40 scholars to India every year. These are both American citizens as well as non-American citizens resident in the United States. Of the latter group, many are Indian graduate students studying for Ph.D. degrees at American universities. Many of them return to India, where they assume faculty positions at Indian institutions. In turn, many Indian scholars are invited by member institutions of the American Institute of Indian Studies to lecture or participate in conferences. The Institute then facilitates their travel arrangements and can use its network of scholars across the United States to organize programs of lectures. Fellowships are granted by the American Institute of Indian Studies in the following categories:
Senior Research Fellowships
These are awarded to established academic specialists in Indian studies who possess the Ph.D. or equivalent. Pursuant to Indian government requirements, each research fellow is formally affiliated with an Indian university during the course of work in India. Award periods range from 6 to 9 months.
Senior Short-Term Fellowships
These are the same as Senior Research fellowships except the award period is up to four months.
Fellowships for Scholarly Development
A limited number of fellowships are awarded to established scholars who have not previously specialized in Indian studies, and to established professionals who have not previously worked or studied in India. Proposals in this category have a substantial research or project
component and clearly defined anticipated results. No individual can receive a grant in this category more than once.
Junior Fellowships
Junior Fellowships are awarded to graduate students specializing in Indian aspects of academic disciplines for Ph.D. dissertation research. Junior Fellows are formally affiliated with Indian universities and research supervisors. Awards are for a period of up to 11 months.
Review Process and Outcome
Applications for fellowships are screened and chosen by a Selection Committee comprised of experts in various fields but all with extensive India experience. Selected scholars are granted fellowships upon receipt of project approval by the Government of India. Upon completion of the fellowship tenure, senior scholars contribute to the growing understanding of India through their publications, and junior fellows complete Ph.D. degrees and join the ranks of faculty at colleges and universities across the United States. Each year, therefore, scholars returning from Institute fellowships in India directly impact literally thousands of students across the country through their teaching and thousands more through their publications.
More information is available on the AIIS website.
(http://www.indiastudies.org/catalog.cfm?dest=dir&linkon=Section&linkid=78)