SUSI Institute on U.S. Culture and Society

*Competition is closed*

The Institute on U.S. Culture and Society will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced and highly-motivated foreign university faculty and other specialists with a deeper understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions. The Institute will examine the ethnic, racial, social, economic, political, and religious contexts in which various cultures have manifested in U.S. society while focusing on the ways in which these cultures have influenced social movements and American identity throughout U.S. history. The program will draw from a diverse disciplinary base, and will itself provide a model of how a foreign university might approach the study of U.S. culture and society. The Institute will be hosted by New York University in New York, New York.

Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars (SUSIs) 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, values, and institutions. The ultimate goal of the Institutes is to strengthen curricula and to enhance the quality of teaching about the United States in academic institutions abroad.

Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars will take place at various colleges, universities, and institutions throughout the United States over the course of six weeks beginning in or after June 2017. Each Institute includes a four week academic residency component and up to two weeks of an integrated study tour.  Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit our website page to obtain general information about the Institutes. The website address is: http://exchanges.state.gov/susi.

Program Funding: All participant costs will be covered, including: program administration; travel and ground transportation in the United States; housing and subsistence; and book, cultural, mailing, and incidental allowances, as well as the international travel costs.

Housing and Meal Arrangements: When possible, each participant will have a private room with a shared bathroom during the residency portion (four weeks) of the Institute.  However, private room accommodations cannot be guaranteed during the residency portion of the program.  During the study tour (up to two weeks), participants will likely share a hotel room with another participant of the same gender. During the residency, housing will typically be in college or university owned housing. Most meals will be provided at campus facilities, though participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own. Please make sure that you are comfortable with such arrangements, particularly sharing a room with another participant during the study tour.

Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied. Please note that a portion of the program will take place during Ramadan. While the host institution will make every effort to accommodate participants who are fasting, participants should be made aware of the rigorous nature of the Institute and the expectation that the success of the Institute depends on their full participation. 

Health Benefits: All participants will receive the Department of State's coverage of $100,000, with a $25 co-pay per medical visit and $75 co-pay per emergency room visit, for the duration of the program. Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Information on the health benefit program may be found online at usdos.sevencorners.com.

Program Requirements and Restrictions: All participants are expected to participate fully in the program.  Candidates should be made aware that they are applying for an intensive program and there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program. The Institute is not a research program. Participants must attend all lectures and organized activities and complete assigned readings. Family members and/or friends may not accompany participants on any part of the program. Please note that Institute curriculum will not formally address teaching methodology and pedagogical methods

Candidate description and qualification:

Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars are highly competitive. 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.  In addition, every effort will be made to have both a geographic and gender balance in the makeup of the Institute.

Candidates should be mid-career, typically between the ages of 30-50, highly-motivated, experienced scholars and professionals generally from institutions of higher education or research focused organizations (not-for-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 or a related field. 

Ideal candidates are individuals 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. While the nominee’s scholarly and professional credentials are an important consideration, the potential impact and multiplier effect of the Institute is equally important. Ideal candidates will have little or no prior experience in the United States.

Candidates must demonstrate English language fluency. Institutes are rigorous and demanding programs; participants will be expected to handle substantial reading assignments in English and to fully and actively participate in all seminar and panel discussions. English fluency is vital to a successful experience in the Institute, both for the candidate and participants from other countries.

Candidates should be willing and able to fully take part in an intensive post-graduate level academic program and study tour. It is important that candidates are likely to be comfortable with campus life and an active program schedule.  Every effort will be made to recruit diverse nominees including candidates from disadvantaged groups, including individuals with disabilities, and women.  While senior faculty members and new professionals to the field are eligible applicants, first consideration will be given to mid-career professionals with little or no prior experience in the United States.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) are NOT eligible to participate in this program.

Candidates will be notified regarding selection or non-selection by April 2017.

Application: download the PDF file below and fill in the required information, save it and submit it on the Formulários tab below.

Application deadline is January 13^th, 2017 (new deadline).

Pre-selected candidates will be invited to an interview on January 20th. They will also be required to submit a letter from their employer confirming institutional support, type of contract and permission to be absent from work for the time of this program (six weeks beginning in or after June 2017).

Information requests can be directed to: rsequeira@fulbright.pt