In connection to the program, we would like to invite you to submit a candidacy for a nominee status for each institute.

Please, find below the summary of the program, together with detailed info:

This is a summary of the  SUMMER 2012 STUDY OF THE UNITED STATES INSTITUTES FOR SCHOLARS:

This Study of the United States Institutes (SUSI) 2012 Program is for university level faculty and scholars from Bulgaria to attend academic seminars and participate in study tours at U.S. host academic institutions. Study of the United States Institutes for Scholars are intensive post-graduate level academic programs with integrated study tours whose purpose is to provide foreign university faculty and other scholars with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, and institutions.  The ultimate goal is to strengthen curricula and to improve the quality of teaching about the United States in academic institutions abroad. If you are interested in applying, please read the information below. The deadline for submitting your candidacy for this program is December 2nd, 2011.

2. OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM:

The Branch for the Study of the United States is pleased to
invite candidate nominations for the summer 2012 Study of the
United States Institutes for Scholars.  A total of six
institutes will be offered for university-level faculty and
other scholars.

3. INSTITUTE DESCRIPTION:

Study of the United States Institutes for Scholars are
intensive post-graduate level academic programs with
integrated study tours whose purpose is to provide foreign
university faculty and other scholars the opportunity to
deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, and
institutions.  The ultimate goal is to strengthen curricula
and to improve the quality of teaching about the United States
in academic institutions abroad.

Pending funding availability, the institutes will take place at various colleges
and universities throughout the United States over the course
of six weeks beginning in June 2012. Prospective
applicants are encouraged to visit our website to obtain
general information about the Institutes.  The website address
is:
http://exchanges.state.gov/academicexch … olars.html

There are six institutes under this program:

A.       The Institute on American Politics and Political Thought

B.       The Institute on Contemporary American Literature

C.       The Institute on Journalism and Media

D.       The Institute on Religious Pluralism in the United States

E.        The Institute on U.S. Culture and Society

F.        The Institute on U.S. Foreign Policy

4. OTHER ESSENTIAL PROGRAM INFORMATION:

The U.S. government will cover all participant costs,
including: program administration; travel and ground
transportation in the United States; and book, cultural,
housing, subsistence, mailing, and incidental allowances.

D. Program Requirements and Restrictions: Participants are
expected to participate fully in the program.  They are
expected to attend all lectures and organized activities, and
complete assigned readings. Family members and/or friends
cannot accompany participants on any part of the program.
Please note that teaching methodology and pedagogical methods
will not be addressed formally in the institute.  Candidates
should be made aware that they are applying for an intensive
institute and there will be little time for personal pursuits
unrelated to the program.  The institute should not be viewed
as a research program.  It is important that these
requirements and restrictions be made clear to all candidates
before nominations are submitted.

5. CANDIDATE DESCRIPTION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

A. Candidates should be mid-career, highly-motivated and experienced professionals
generally from institutions of higher education or research
focused organizations (non-profits, think tanks, etc.).  While
the educational level of participants will likely vary, most
should have graduate degrees and have substantial knowledge of
the thematic area of the institute.

B. The ideal candidate will also be an experienced
professional with little or no prior experience in the United
States, whose home institution is seeking to introduce aspects
of U.S. studies into its curricula, to develop new courses in
the subject of the institute, to enhance and update existing
courses on the United States, or to offer specialized
seminars/workshops for professionals in U.S. studies areas
related to the program theme.  In this respect, while the
nominee's scholarly and professional credentials are an
important consideration, an equally important factor is how
participation in the institute will enhance mutual
understanding course offerings in U.S. studies at the
nominee's home institution.

C. Candidates should be willing and able to fully take part in
an intensive post-graduate level academic program and study
tour.

B. Candidate Statement and Resume: In order to get a better sense of
potential participants' motivations and goals, we
request that each candidate provide a short personal
statement (one page) indicating why he or she is interested in
participating in the program and what he or she expects to get
out of the experience.  In addition, candidate statements
should describe the candidate's capacity/plans to amplify the
impact of the institute beyond just their own knowledge and
research. Candidates should also submit a resume.

C. English Language Ability: It is imperative that all
candidates demonstrate English language fluency.  Institutes
are rigorous and demanding programs; participants will be
expected to handle substantial reading assignments in English
and to be full and active participants in all seminar and
panel discussions.

D. Priority Consideration: Priority will be given to
candidates who have firm plans to enhance, update or develop
courses and/or educational materials with a U.S. studies focus
or component, who have no prior or limited experience in the
United States, and who have special interest in the program
subject areas as demonstrated through past scholarship,
accomplishments, and professional duties.

If you have questions regarding the Program, you could contact me any time.

Regards,

Krum Kaishev
Cultural Affairs Assistant
Public Affairs Section
U.S. Embassy
Sofia, Bulgaria
16, Kozyak Street
Sofia 1408
Tel.: (+359 2) 937 5186
Cell: (+359) 878 585 665
E-mail: KaishevKV@state.gov