Poland in Armenia

Within the Kirkland Research Program, we offer a scholarship for a one-semester research stay in Poland during the 2023/24 academic year for candidates with a PhD degree who have an established academic position.

FIELDS:

• Economics and Management
• Administration / Management in business, NGOs, culture, education and healthcare
• Public Administration (Central and Local Government Administration)
• Law
• Social Sciences (Social Psychology, Sociology)
• Political Science and International Relations
• Environmental and Climate Protection
• Security and Cybersecurity
• Crisis Management
• Development Policy and Humanitarian Aid
• Areas related to the future reconstruction of Ukraine, e.g., urban planning, civil engineering, forensic science, etc.

Kirkland Research scholarship is a scholarship for a stay in Poland from mid-September to late January (first semester). Kirkland Research Program grantees have to participate in scientific seminars and to work individually under the supervision of an academic advisor; this work is to result in the preparation of a scientific article. The requirement for obtaining a diploma for completing the Program is a scientific article approved for printing by the grantee’s academic advisor and the presentation,  during the January convention of grantees, of the results of this work.

The Kirkland Research Program is run in parallel with the Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program. Both Kirkland Research Scholarship grantees and the Kirkland Program grantees take part in the program during the autumn and winter semester: in September they participate in an introductory course, then in a grantees’ convention, and, optionally, in various other courses and training prepared for Kirkland Program scholars between September and January.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

You must

1. have citizenship and permanent residence in one of the countries covered by the Kirkland Research Program: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine, or Uzbekistan; the competition is also open to citizens of Belarus residing in Poland for political reasons, and to Ukrainian citizens who found themselves in Poland after 24 February 2022

• be under 45 years of age;
• have experience in research and scientific work - minimum 4 years;
• have at least two years break from participation in any previous scholarship abroad that was longer than 6 months; this criterion does not apply to candidates from Ukraine, or, in individual cases, from Belarus
• have scientific achievements, including publications;
• have a knowledge of Polish or English at minimum B2 level. (In the case of having English at B2 level, Polish must be at least at A1 level)

The Program offer is addressed to candidates who have not participated in the Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program, have not completed their doctoral studies in Poland, are not bound by an employment contract with any Polish university / institution.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

• stipend paid for four months (2,200 PLN per month)
• accommodation provided during the four months stay in Poland
• reimbursement of travel expenses (arrival in Poland and return) according to limits set annually
• reimbursement of public transport costs
• scientific and didactic package up to PLN 3,500
• health insurance for medical outpatient care, treatment costs in case of an emergency, and civil liability insurance
• participation in additional training courses and Polish language classes

SELECTION PROCESS:

The best candidates will be selected in a 3-stage evaluation process:

• Stage 1 - Review of applications with regard to eligibility criteria
• Stage 2 - Review by independent experts of candidates’ proposed projects of study
• Stage 3 - Interviews (planned for 27 March–28 April 2023).

The candidates who advance to Stage 3 will be notified by e-mail by the end of March 2023. Information on the final nominations will be mailed to the candidates in May 2023.

 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

1. You must fill-in the on-line application form, and include the following:

• personal data questionnaire.
• description of the candidate’s scientific activity.
• research work project - justification for participation in the Kirkland Research Program, together with proposals for how the results of conducted research will be used (7500-12000 characters with spaces).

2. Two letters of reference (in Polish, English or Russian) confirming the candidate's achievements and qualifications to date, and the usefulness of the research to be conducted through participation in the Kirkland Research Program in the candidate's further development and work in her/his professional or social field, sent via e-mail. Recommendation letters must not be written by the candidate's family members and/or spouses/life partners.
3. A copy of the PhD diploma, sent via e-mail.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

A description of the program and detailed application instructions  can be obtained directly from the following website: www.kirkland.edu.pl.  They can also be requested by e-mail from the Program Office.

Application forms should be filled out on-line.

After the on-line application has been submitted, the system will generate an application confirmation document that candidates must print. The application confirmation document must be signed, and together with an attached current photograph of the candidate should be scanned and sent by e-mail together with the two reference letters and a copy of the graduation diploma to the following address: kirkland@kirkland.edu.pl

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

The deadline for applications for the Kirkland Research 2023/24 scholarships is 1 March 2023

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
 

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:

• Inauguration of the Program and introductory course (8-10 days, 2^nd half of September 2023)
• Individual research work in one of the Polish academic centers: Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, or Lublin (from October 2023 to January 2024)
• Personal development trainings and workshops
• Preparation of a scientific article
• Grantees’ conventions
• Participation in a Polish language course (throughout scholarship period)
• Presentation of the grantee’s  research work results (January 2024)

 

THE PROGRAM PATRON

The Program is named after Lane Kirkland (1922-1999),  the legendary trade union leader (AFL-CIO), member of the Polish-American Enterprise Fund Board of Directors, and promoter of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation. In the 1980’s, he wholeheartedly supported the Solidarity movement and backed it during its underground years. He also supported the aspirations for freedom of other peoples of Central and Eastern Europe. He was awarded the highest distinctions, including the American “Medal of Freedom” and the Polish “Order of the White Eagle.” In 2022, he was posthumously awarded the "Medal of Gratitude" for his support for the Polish "Solidarity" movement.

CONTACT:

Leaders of Change Foundation
www.leadersofchange.pl

L. Kirkland Scholarship Program
Al. Jerozolimskie 133  m. 56, 02-304 Warsaw, Poland
E-mail: kirkland@kirkland.edu.pl
www.kirkland.edu.pl

________________________________________________________________________

POLISH-AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION (PAFF) – Program Founder

The Foundation began its program activities in 2000 with the dual intention of consolidating the results of the transition begun in Poland in 1989 and sharing the Polish experience of transformation with other countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

In Poland, the Foundation pursues its goal mainly through programs aimed at equalizing educational opportunities and improving the quality of education, as well as supporting civic activity at the local level, especially in rural areas and small towns.

Between 2000 and 2022, the Foundation allocated more than $242 million for its activities. The source of the funds was income from the endowment fund, which was created from capital donated to the Foundation by the Polish-American Enterprise Fund. In total, the Entrepreneurship Fund, the Foundation's founder, has donated $255 million to the Foundation.

The Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program, launched in 2000, is a long-term endeavor for the Polish-American Freedom Foundation, and  has been administered by the Leaders of Change Foundation since 2016. Additional information about the Polish-American Freedom Foundation and its programs can be found at: www.pafw.pl

LEADERS OF CHANGE FOUNDATION (FLP) – Program Administrator

The Foundation was established in February 2016 by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation. The main activities of the Foundation include administration of the long-term programs financed by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation: the Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program and "Study Tours to Poland" Program.

The Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program and Study Tours to Poland Program were transferred to the new Foundation, together with their experienced teams who have been responsible for their creation for many years. A combination of programs with similar profiles, and participation of new people in their co-creation constitute an opportunity to expand and enrich our activities.  We would like to have a broad offer addressed to those who are willing to benefit from the experiences of active people from East Europe, the Caucasus region, and Central Asia. In collaboration with academic centers and institutions in the public and NGO sectors, we also hope to offer some new forms of internship and research stays in Poland.   

We gather together people who believe in the power of change.

Additional information about the Foundation is available at www.leadersofchange.pl