FOR FELLOWS YEAR 2010-2011
API Mission Statement
Public Intellectuals are those—academics, researchers, media professionals,
artists, creative writers, NGO activists, social workers, public servants
and others with moral authority—who are committed to working for the
betterment of society by applying their professional knowledge, wisdom and
experience.
The Nippon Foundation Fellowships for Asian Public Intellectuals (API
Fellowships Program) is designed to stimulate the creation of a pool of such
intellectuals in the region. They aim to promote mutual learning among Asian
public intellectuals and to contribute to the growth of public spaces in
which effective responses to regional needs can be generated.
What are the goals?
# To create and nurture a community of public intellectuals in the Asian
region;
# To promote mutual learning among Asian public intellectuals; and
# To contribute to the growth of public spaces in which effective responses
to regional needs can be generated.
In selecting Fellows, API Fellowships Program will favor projects that
address critical issues for the region, which use creative and
multidisciplinary approaches, and which have some element of advocacy.
What are the themes?
- Changing Identities and their Social, Historical, and Cultural Contexts:
e.g., the use of historical memory in building regional and national
identities; the construction of cultural majorities and minorities; the role
of the media and the arts; the dynamics of cultural encounter; the
performance of gender, religion, and class roles.
- Reflections on the Human Condition and the Search for Social Justice:
e.g., the distribution of political rights; economic and physical security;
the management of social change; the marginalization of peripheral
populations; human interaction with the environment.
- Globalization: Structures, Processes, and Alternatives: e.g., the impact
of economic integration on states and societies; human and capital
migration; the changing role of borders; the meaning of self-reliance; the
global marketing of culture; civil society in the era of globalization.
What can I do as a project?
The project may take several forms: research paper; film; series of
journalistic articles; data gathering; building networks; work of art, etc.,
but must fulfill three conditions: it must NOT be part of your regular
employment; it must contribute to the goals of the API Fellowships Program,
and fit with the API themes; and it must have tangible output (research
paper, film, photo essay, etc.).
The project must be carried out in one or more of the API Participating
Countries, but NOT in your native country or country of residence. The
current Participating Countries are: Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the
Philippines, and Thailand.
You will need to find a Host Insitution in the country where you carry out
the project.
Who can apply?
Anyone involved in the production and exchange of knowledge or ideas in line
with the goals of API Fellowships Program. This includes academics,
researchers, media professionals, artists, writers, NGO workers, social
workers, public servants and others who work for the betterment of society.
General eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must hold the nationality or proper resident status in one of
the five (5) Participating Countries and reside in the country at the time
of application;
- Applicants must attend an interview at a designated date and place;
- The proposed project by the applicant must take place and should be
completed within the period of July 1, 2010 to July 31, 2011 (Note: The
fellowship period must be continuous.);
- Applicants must have a basic knowledge of English or a laungage(s) spoken
in the country(ies) where the proposed research and/or activities are
conducted; and
- Applicants must be based in the region/country and will continue to be so
in the future.
API Senior Fellowships and API Fellowships?
(Categories of Fellowships)
The API Fellowships Program offers two (2) categories of Fellowships: API
Senior Fellowships and API Fellowships. The categorization is based
essentially on the age of the applicant.
The API Senior Fellowships are meant for those with an established track
record as a public intellectual and who are at least 40 years of age, as of
August 31, 2009. The project may be carried out for a minimum of one (1)
month to a maximum of twelve (12) months. Up to four (4) API Participating
Countries may be visited.
In addition to the general eligibility above, the applicants for the API
Senior Fellowships must:
- Be 40 years of age or more as of August 31, 2009 (exceptions may be made);
- Have the ability and experience to conduct research projects and/or
professional activities in the Participating Countries other than the
applicant's native country or country of residence;
- Undertake the proposed research projects and/or professional activities in
up to four (4) of the Participating Countries, but in a country(ies) other
than the applicant's native country or country of residence;
- Undertake the proposed research projects and/or professional activities
for a continuous period of between one (1) and twelve (12) months (Note: The
fellowship period must be continuous.); and
- Have the ability, influence, and means to disseminate the results of their
research projects and/or professional activities.
The API Fellowships are for those under 40 years of age, as of August 31,
2009. The project may be carried out for a minimum of four (4) months to a
maximum of twelve (12) months. Up to two (2) API Participating Countries may
be visited.
In addition to the general eligibility above, the applicants for the API
Fellowships must:
- Be under the age of 40 as of August 31, 2009 (exceptions may be made);
- Have the ability and desire to engage in research projects and/or
professional activitites in the Participating Countries other than the
applicant's native or country of residence;
- Have a strong potential to contribute to their field in the future; -
Undertake the proposed research projects and/or professional activities for
a consecutive period of between four (4) and twelve (12) months (Note: The
fellowship period must be continuous.); and
- Undertake the proposed research projects and/or professional activities in
up to two (2) of the Participating Countries, but in a country(ies) other
than the applicant's native country or country of residence.
What are commitments involved?
After the project year, you must attend the annual API Regional Workshop,
which usually takes place in November (for applicants for Fellows Year
2010-2011, it will be in November 2011), and present your results by
submitting the papers and other materials. You are strongly encouraged to
disseminate the results of your project to a wider audience wherever
possible.
By fulfilling your commitments, you will become a member of the API
Community. You will be expected to participate in the activities of the
Community, and will have the chance to apply for post fellowship programs.
Note 1: Project proposals written by persons other than the applicant
him/herself are NOT acceptable.
Note 2: Plagiarism in the project proposal is also strictly prohibited.
Please submit the all above documents in one envelope addressed to the
Partner Institution in your country.
Please note!
- You cannot apply for an API Fellowship for a project in your own country.
- You must type the application. Handwritten applications cannot be
processed.
- If you make any misrepresentation, willful or otherwise, in the
application and accompanying documents, it may cause for revocation of the
Fellowship grant at any time.
More details on:
http://www.api-fellowships. org/body/api_fellowships.php
(Application submission deadline: August 31, 2009)
The Nippon Foundation Fellowships for Asian Public Intellectuals, API Program 2010 2011
