CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: 2018 STUDY OF THE U.S. INSTITUTE (SUSI) ON U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY POLICYMAKING – CLOSED

Deadline for applying is 11:59 PM on Friday, September 15, 2017.  Applications received after this deadline will NOT be accepted.  Applications are now CLOSED

Program dates are January 4 to February 16, 2018 at the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware.

• Read Requirements

  Candidate Description and Qualifications:

   

  Candidates nominated for this program will:

  • be proficient in English;
  • come from underserved communities;
  • be mid-career, preferably with graduate degrees, between the ages of 30-50, highly-motivated and experienced scholars and professionals from institutions of higher education or research focused organizations (not-for-profits, think tanks, etc.);
  • have firm plans to enhance, update, or develop courses and/or educational materials with a U.S. studies focus or component. 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;
  • have special interest in the program subject areas as demonstrated through past scholarship, accomplishments, and professional duties;
  • have had little or no prior experience in the United States;
  • be comfortable with campus life and an active program schedule.

   

  Program Description:

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

   The SUSI for Scholars on U.S. National Security Policymaking will provide a group of 18 scholars and professionals an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the foundations of U.S. national security policy and current threats facing the United States.  The institute focuses on the formulation of U.S. foreign and national security policy and the role of the federal government, think-tanks, media, and public opinion in shaping that policy.

  The program will examine the question of how we discern U.S. national security policy continuities and changes that shape the policies and conduct of presidential administrations.  The Institute will encourage intellectual engagement, reflection, and interaction with U.S.-based experts to deepen scholar knowledge of the foundations and formulation of U.S. national security policy. The program utilizes a cross-cutting secondary theme titled, “the institutions and processes of national security policymaking” and focuses on four interconnected modules: 1) The U.S. view of the world and its place in the global system; 2) Terrorism and national security in the U.S. and abroad; 3) U.S. immigration and refugee policies; and 4) The search for the right balance between unilateralism and multilateralism.  Each week, scholars will participate in academic sessions, roundtable discussions with U.S. national security experts, and conversations with the broader Newark, Delaware community on key thematic topics. The Institute participants will also travel to San Antonio and Austin, Texas; New York City, New York; Washington, D.C.; and other regional locales.

   

  Other Essential Information:

  • What is Covered: All participant costs, including: program administration; travel and ground transportation in the United States; and book, cultural, housing, subsistence, mailing, and incidental allowances.  Applicants will be responsible for acquiring and paying for their own passport.
  • 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.  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.Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied.

  • 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.
  • Program Requirements and Restrictions: All participants are expected to participate fully in the program.  This is 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.

   

  Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. What level of English proficiency should a nominee have? All participants must be fully proficient in English; throughout the Institute they will need to fully understand lectures, actively participate in discussions, and read and write assignments in English.
  2. Can a nominee who is a dual citizen (U.S. and country of origin) participate in Study of the U.S. Institutes? No.  U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) are NOT eligible to participate in this program.
  3. How much free time/time for independent research will a participant have during the program? There will be some free time during the program as well as some time designated for independent research.  However, nominees MUST understand that this is an intensive academic program and they are expected to participate in all lectures, activities, and scheduled events.
  4. If a nominee is not a college professor; can he/she be considered for the program? Yes. Nominees who are professors at all stages of their careers, practitioners in a designated field, college and university administrators, and community leaders among others can be considered to participate in the program.
  5. If a nominee has relatives in the U.S., would he/she have time to see them? Because of the intensive nature of the Institutes, participants will NOT be able to leave the Institute to visit relatives or friends.  Participants in Scholar Institutes may, at their own expense, opt to extend their stay in the United States after the close of their program to the extent allowed by visa regulations.
  6. Can a relative travel and stay with the participant during the Institute? No.  Relatives are NOT permitted to travel or stay with a participant during the program.  There are no exceptions to this rule.  Participants in Scholar Institutes may, at their own expense, opt to extend their stay in the U.S. after the close of their program to the extent allowed by visa regulations.
  7. Can a participant stay after the end of the Institute? Yes.  Under the terms of their J-1 Visas, participants have up to 30 days after the end of the program to depart from the U.S.  However, the participant must be aware that he/she is responsible for all expenses after the end of the Institute and will no longer have Department of State sponsored health benefits.
  8. Can a participant miss one part or component of the Institute? No.  All participants are expected to participate in all scheduled lectures, events, site visits, trips, and activities.
  9. How much money will participants need to bring for the program?  The Study of the U.S. Branch covers all costs of an individual’s participation including transportation, lodging, and meals.  Generally, host institutions provide for meals through a combination of a cafeteria meal plan and cash allowance to permit participants to cook or eat at local restaurants.  Participants should bring their own spending money if they wish to purchase souvenirs or other items during their time in the United States.  All participating scholars will receive a stipend to purchase books and research materials while in the U.S. as well as a certain amount to cover mailing costs.

• Application Form

  Application forms are available here