Competition closed. Winter 2018 Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) for Scholars on U.S. National Security Policymaking will take place from January 4 to February 16, 2018 at the University of Delaware in Newark, DE.

Program overview

Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) 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.

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.  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.

Institute description

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 Institute will be hosted by the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware.

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 program information

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

B. 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. Participants need to make sure that they 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.  While the host institution will make every effort to accommodate all needs, 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.

C. Travel Arrangements: the host institution will cover all travel within the United States during the Institute.

D. 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.

E. Program Requirements and Restrictions:

All participants are expected to participate fully in the program.  Candidates should be 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 qualifications

Study of the U.S. Institutes 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.

A. Candidates should be mid-career, typically between the ages of 30-50, highly-motivated and 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.

B. 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.

C. Ideal candidates will have little or no prior experience in the United States.

D. 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 your participant and participants from other countries.

E. Candidates should be willing and able to fully take part in an intensive post-graduate level academic program and study tour and be comfortable with campus life and an active program schedule.  Applications from diverse candidates including candidates from disadvantaged groups and women are highly encouraged.  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.

Candidates will be notified regarding their selection or non-selection by early December 2017.

Application

Candidates should download the PDF file below, fill out the required information, save it and return it by email. The application also includes a letter from the candidate’s employer confirming institutional support, type of contract you have and permission to be absent from work for the time of this program. Applications should be submitted by e-mail (fulbright@fulbright.pt) no later than October 1st, 2017, at 11:59 PM.

Selection process

Pre-selected candidates will be interviewed. ONE candidate will be nominated for this institute, but final decision regarding selection or non-selection of nominated candidates is taken by the U.S. Department of State.

Important information

a)     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.

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

c)     Applicants who do not hold Portuguese citizenship may also be considered for selection.

d)     Nominees with some experience in the United States can be considered for the program.

e)     There will be some free time during the program as well as some time designated for independent research.  However, participants must understand that this is an intensive academic program and they are expected to participate in all lectures, activities, and scheduled events.  Participants 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.

f)      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.

g)     Because of the intensive nature of the Institutes, participants will NOT be able to leave the Institute to visit relatives or friends.  Participants 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.

h)     Relatives are NOT permitted to travel or stay with a participant during the program.  There are no exceptions to this rule.

i)      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 ECA-sponsored health benefits.

j)      All participants are expected to participate in all scheduled lectures, events, site visits, trips, and activities.

k)     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.  Information on housing and meal arrangements will be provided by the host institution six weeks prior to the start of the Institute.  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.

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