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IREX Announces New Policy Fellowships for US Scholars

WASHINGTON, DC, September 24—IREX today announced two new programs for US scholars: the Short-Term US Embassy Policy Specialist Program and the Policy-Connect Program. These programs are graciously being supported by the United States Department of State (Title VIII Program) and John J. and Nancy Lee Roberts.

The US Embassy Policy Specialist Program will support short-term fellowships for senior US scholars to conduct research and serve as specialists in residence on select topics to US embassies and consulates in Eurasia.

The Policy-Connect Program will allow teams of US scholars to conduct collaborative research in key fields such as terrorism, trafficking in persons, economic development, HIV/AIDS, organized crime and corruption, post-Soviet relations between Eurasia and the Middle East, and women’s political participation. Regions included for this program are Eurasia, Southeast Europe, and the Middle East and North Africa.

These new programs complement IREX’s traditional programs for US scholars, including:

• The Master’s Individual Advanced Research Opportunities Program: Grants for master’s students to conduct policy-relevant research in Europe and Eurasia.
• The Predoctoral Individual Advanced Research Opportunities Program: Grants for predoctoral candidates to conduct policy-relevant dissertation research in Europe and Eurasia.
• The Postdoctoral Individual Advanced Research Opportunities Program: Grants to postdoctoral scholars and professionals with terminal degrees to conduct policy-relevant research in Europe and Eurasia.
• Regional Policy Symposium: This year the Symposium will focus on Asia. Scheduled for the spring of 2005, this program will bring together senior and junior scholars to discuss a variety of political, economic, historical, and cultural topics related to the larger Asian region.
• Short-Term Travel Grants Program: Grants of up to $3,500 for up to two months of independent or collaborative policy-relevant research for postdoctoral scholars and professionals with terminal degrees.

IREX (the International Research & Exchanges Board) is an international nonprofit organization specializing in education, independent media, Internet development, and civil society programs. Through training, partnerships, education, research, and grant programs, IREX develops the capacity of individuals and institutions to contribute to their societies.

Since its founding in 1968, IREX has supported over 15,000 students, scholars, policymakers, business leaders, journalists, and other professionals.

For more information about these and other IREX programs, please visit www.irex.org/grants.