Fleishman Fellows Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to participate in the Fleishman Fellows Program?
How does the Program define civil society?
Where can I get an application for the Fellowship?
Is the start date flexible?
Is the Program scheduled to convene Fellows more than once per year?
Are non-U.S. citizens eligible to apply?
Which visa would a non-US citizen require to participate within the program?
Does the Fellowship cover travel costs to/from Durham, North Carolina?
Is housing in Durham, North Carolina covered as part of the Fellowship?
What types of projects are eligible?
What types of projects have Fellows completed in the past?
Is there a page limit on the application and project proposal?
Can you apply for the Fellowship as part of a team?
What is expected as a result of my research?
What are the selection criteria?
How many Fellows will be selected?
When are applications due?
When will applicants be notified on the status of their application?
May I submit my application via email?
Will I be working independently or with a specific faculty member?
Where is Duke University located?

 

Who is eligible to participate in the Fleishman Fellows Program?
The Fellowship provides a select group of leaders from domestic non-profit organizations, international non-governmental organizations, foundations, and other civil society groups in the United States and internationally with the opportunity to come in residence at the Sanford Institute for a four-week mini-sabbatical. Full-time academics are not eligible to apply. Individuals from governmental agencies and socially responsible businesses are strongly encouraged to apply for the Fellowship, as long as their project is specifically focused on strengthening civil society within their country.

How does the Program define civil society?
Since there is no universally accepted definition of "civil society", the Program definition of civil society most closely reflects that of the Civic Practices Network:

"Civil society refers to that sphere of voluntary associations and informal networks in which individuals and groups engage in activities of public consequence. It is distinguished from the public activities of government because it is voluntary, and from the private activities of markets because it seeks common ground and public goods. It is often described as the "third sector." For democratic societies, it provides an essential link between citizens and the state. Its fundamental appeal since its origin in the Scottish Enlightenment is its attempt to synthesize public and private good." Prepared by Carmen Sirianni and Lewis Friedland editor-in-chief and research director of the Civic Practices Network.

Where can I get an application for the Fellowship?
The application can be downloaded from our website: www.pubpol.duke.edu/centers/civil/
If you are unable to access the web or have difficulties downloading the application, please send your request to melynn.glusman@duke.edu

Is the start date flexible?
No, all Fellows must begin together as a cohort on October 1, 2008.

Is the Program scheduled to convene Fellows more than once per year?
No, currently the program is only scheduled to take place once per year. In future years, however, the Fellowship may take place more than once per year.

Are non-U.S. citizens eligible to apply?
Yes, applications from non-US citizens are strongly encouraged.

Which visa would a non-US citizen require to participate within the program?
Fleishman fellows program brings international Fellows to the United States on a J-1 visa. Once selected, the Program Director and designated University contacts works directly with Fellows to complete all the necessary information for the J-1 visa process. Contact your local consulate for further information on visa eligibility.

Does the Fellowship cover travel costs to/from Durham, North Carolina?
On a case-by-case basis. Accepted applicants must submit a letter stating their needs and approximate travel costs to the Program Director who will make the final decision.

Is housing in Durham, North Carolina covered as part of the Fellowship?
Yes, housing is both arranged and subsidized as part of the Fellowship award.

What types of projects are eligible?
There are a wide variety of projects eligible under our broad definition of civil society. It would be impossible to list the scope of suitable topics. Previous topics have included Enabling a Legal and Fiscal Framework for Civil society in Pakistan and Applying Modern Banking Technology to Microcredit Practices in the United States. All projects must be completed by the end of the one-month Fellowship period.

What types of projects have Fellows completed in the past?
A list of previous Fellows bios and projects is listed on the website: www.pubpol.duke.edu/centers/civil/

Is there a page limit on the application and project proposal?
There is no page limit on the length of your resume or letters of recommendations. However, each project proposal should be no longer than five double-spaced pages and should include an implementation schedule detailing how you plan to complete your project over the one-month period.

Can you apply for the Fellowship as part of a team?
No. Fellowships are not eligible for teams. Moreover, we can accept only one individual from any one organization.

What is expected as a result of my research?
While the program requires a written deliverable upon completion of the sabbatical, the method of production (article, power point, paper, strategic plan) are limited only by the creativity of the author and the one-month Fellowship timeframe.

What are the selection criteria?
Selection is guided by four criteria: (1) experience in applicant's field, (2) strength of proposal, (3) potential impact of the fellowship on future career goals, and (4) the feasibility of the proposed project (e.g. will the applicant be able to finish the proposed project in the allotted one-month timeframe?)

How many Fellows will be selected?
Approximately 4-6 Fellows will be selected during any given application cycle.

When are applications due?
Applications must be received (not postmarked) by MAY 1, 2008. Late applications will not be accepted.

When will applicants be notified on the status of their application?
Applicants will not receive a notice that their application has been received and is complete. It is up to each applicant to follow up individually if they wish. A letter notifying applicants about the success of their application will be sent by mid-July 2008.

May I submit my application via email?
Yes.

Will I be working independently or with a specific faculty member?
It is situation and Fellow specific. If there is a specific faculty member you are particularly interested in working with, please note that clearly in your application and if selected, we will do our best to accommodate provided there is mutual interest in collaboration.

Where is Duke University located?
Duke University is located in Durham, North Carolina, in the southeastern region of the United States. North Carolina is a beautiful state and Durham is located just a few short hours from the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountain and the famous Carolina beaches. It is approximately a four-hour drive from the nations capital Washington, D.C. and a six-hour drive from Atlanta, Georgia. New York City and Chicago are approximately a two-hour flight.