The British Institute for the Study of Iraq
(Gertrude Bell Memorial)

BISI Visiting Iraqi Scholars & Fellows Programme

NEXT DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS - 1 March 2012

(FUTURE DEADLINES 1 MARCH ANNUALLY)

The British Institute for the Study of Iraq (BISI) offers two to three scholarships each year, with priority given to younger Iraqi scholars, in the fields of archaeology, ancient languages, museum and heritage studies and other disciplines within the humanities and social sciences, whose focus relates to the study of Iraq. (Application form available here [36 KB Word File] and a a PDF file here. [Adobe PDF file KB 9.4])

Details of the conditons of these grants are availabe here [ 137 KB Adobe PDF File) and the individual scholar's acceptance form is available here [982 KB Word Document] and as a PDF [ Adobe PDF file KB 26.5 ].

These scholarships are intended

• to allow the scholars normally to spend up to one to two months in the UK
• to undertake a specific research or training project
• to build relations with scholars in the UK
• to participate in a suitable programme designed for each recipient
• to work with a mentor arranged by BISI

These scholarships will cover

• institutional fees (i.e. university access and library usage but not tuition fees)
• housing (usually with a family) and a daily allowance for living expenses (per diem)
• all travel expenses, including visas 
• emergency travel insurance

These scholarships will

• not pay any salary expenses
• not fund any full time university courses
• not pay for any routine dental or medical expenses

Formal leave of absence from the scholar’s own institution or employer is required before an award is made, with a copy of the permission for a leave of absence to be sent to BISI. An acceptance form is required from each applicant in advance of making travel arrangements.

English Language requirement: The BISI reserves the right to request a telephone interview to ensure that the English language ability of all applicants is of a high standard. All scholars must be able to converse and understand English to a working level to ensure the placement is a success. Our offer of a placement is dependent upon being satisfied that

Awards of fellowships may occasionally be made to more senior academics under the same conditions.

Those interested in applying should send a competed application form available on the Institute’s website or from the Administrator.  The application requests a short description of the applicant’s project and the name of at least one referee accompanied by a current Curriculum Vita (details of education and employment) to be sent to the BISI Administrator. The applicant must ask the referee to send a letter of reference to BISI. 

Applications are due by 1 March annually and candidates will be informed of the decision by late June/early July.  We reserve the right to withdraw any scholarship grants that have not been taken up within one year of notification of the awards.

Each Scholar is required to submit a report on their UK stay to BISI before they leave the UK as part of the conditions of the grant for the BISI Newsletter. All Scholars are expected to be able to work and travel independently in the UK. The BISI Administrator will assist as often as is possible and will help with all the travel and housing arrangements.

For further opportunities for scholarships to the United Kingdom please go to the British Council IRAQ website.

http://www.britac.ac.uk/institutes/iraq/
e-mail: bisi@britac.ac.uk