Friday, September 12, 2008

Scoville Fellowship for recent graduates

Deadline is October 15 for spring; February for fall 09. Get all the details here.

The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship Program invites college graduates to apply for full-time, six-to-nine month Fellowships in Washington, DC. Outstanding individuals will be selected to work with nonprofit, public-interest organizations addressing peace and security issues. Applications are especially encouraged from candidates with a strong interest in these issues who have prior experience with public-interest activism or advocacy.

Program and Purpose

Scoville Fellows will choose to work with one of the twenty-five organizations participating in the Program. With the assistance of the Program Director, Fellows will select a placement which best matches their interests and the needs of the host organization. Participating organizations provide office space and support, supervision and guidance for Fellows' work. With the exception of Congressional lobbying, Fellows may undertake a variety of activities, including research, writing, and organizing that support the goals of their host organization.

The purpose of the Fellowship is to provide an opportunity for college graduates to gain practical knowledge and experience by contributing to the efforts of nonprofit, public-interest organizations working on peace and security issues.
Stipend and Benefits

The Fellows receive a stipend of $2,100 per month and health insurance, plus travel expenses to Washington, DC.

Issue Areas Covered by the Scoville Fellowship include the following:

* Arms Control/Disarmament, including Nuclear Test Ban, Ballistic Missile Proliferation/Defense, Conventional Arms Transfers, Weapons Proliferation--Nuclear, Biological and Chemical
* Conflict Prevention/Resolution
* Defense Budget
* Dismantling Chemical and Nuclear Weapons in the former Soviet Union
* Economic Conversion
* Environmental Security, including Environmental Impact/Cleanup of Nuclear Weapons Production Complex
* Export Controls
* International Security
* Regional/Ethnic Conflicts, including East Asia, South Asia, Former Yugoslavia, Middle East, Newly Independent States
* United Nations, including UN Peacekeeping

Selection Criteria

Prospective Fellows are expected to demonstrate excellent academic accomplishments and a strong interest in issues of peace and security. Graduate study, a college major, course work, or substantial independent reading that reflects the substantive focus of the fellowship is also a plus. Prior experience with public-interest activism or advocacy is highly desirable. It is preferred, but not required, that such activities be focused on peace and security issues.

Experience with public-interest activism or advocacy can include the following:

* Organizing a campus forum, letter-writing campaign, meeting with decisionmakers, or rallies
* Working with or joining a campus, local, or national organization
* Active participation in conferences
* Writing and publication of opinion pieces

Candidates are required to have completed a baccalaureate degree by the time the Fellowship commences. Preference is given to United States citizens, although a Fellowship to a foreign national residing in the U.S. is awarded periodically based on availability of funding. The Scoville Fellowship is not intended for students or scholars interested in pursuing independent research in Washington, DC.

Preference will be given to individuals who have not had substantial prior public-interest or government experience in the Washington, DC area.