Fulbright Program Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

12626-BU

Fulbright Scholar Award

Special Award in Journalism and Strategic Communication

Bulgaria

Europe and Eurasia

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Award Details

Award Activity

This professional project grant is for specialists in the field of journalism and communications to work with the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD). CSD is a Sofia-based European policy institute, combining knowledge on economics, law, criminology, political science, and sociology. Its crosscutting competences enable CSD to deliver on complex projects requiring both process and substantive knowledge on EU level, and impact on policy and civil society. CSD’s mission is to build bridges between scholars and policy makers. CSD is looking for an energetic, organized, and detail-oriented person, well-versed in the strategic use of social and traditional media to take on the role of Strategic Communications Specialist. The grant is based at the organization’s headquarters in Sofia, Bulgaria, which provides a unique opportunity for an experienced professional to strengthen the strategic communications of an established European think-tank. CSD seeks support to increase audience, raise profile, maximize impact and reconfirm brand identity. The grantee will take part in developing content, media relations, public policy events, website and social media, and internal communications. Grant activities could include: developing strategies for connecting CSD experts with international media (in the US and Europe); drafting author-controlled Op-eds and other pieces on topics that CSD covers and promoting them for publication in European, US and other relevant international media; working with the CSD communications team to implement initiatives with strategic impact.

Scholars selected for this award will be required to:

Conduct a professional and/or artistic project
Conduct a research project designated by the host institution

Award Length and Period

Eight to ten months

Start date is flexible, but September 2022 is preferable.

Locations

CSD is a Sofia-based institute, thus grantees are expected to live and work in Sofia.

Flex Option

Discipline Type

Only projects in the following disciplines will be considered

Disciplines

Communication

Journalism

Marketing

Award Requirements

Application Requirements

Invitation Requirement

A letter of invitation should not be sought.

Language Proficiency Requirements

None, English is sufficient.

Additional Language Requirement

Conversational Bulgarian, while not required, is useful.

Applicant Profile

Additional Qualification Information

Candidates should hold at least a master’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism (data journalism would be an advantage), or related field, and must have a minimum of three years of professional communications experience.

Additional Information

In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars will be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities‎.

Contacts and Helpful Links

Center for the Study of Democracy

Stipend & Benefits

Award Allowances

$2,800 per month

Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

Travel allowance of $1,700 and relocation allowance of $1,300 for grantee. Travel allowance of $1,500 for one dependent and $3,000 for two or more accompanying dependents who remain in country with grantee for at least 80% of grant duration.

Special Award Benefits

Basic housing allowance for grantee with no dependents is $600 per month; additional housing allowance of $100 per month for one dependent / $200 per month for two or more dependents.

Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.

Country/Area Overview

Summary

Up to five grants for teaching, research, teaching/research and professional projects. Awards are open to faculty of all academic ranks. Professionals and artists in appropriate fields may also apply. In addition to universities and academic institutions, hosts may also be NGOs, government agencies, research think tanks, and other institutions. Grant benefits include housing and relocation allowance and dependent travel and housing support.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

A mountainous country of seven million people, Bulgaria boasts a rich archaeological and artistic heritage, with many well-preserved artifacts and sites from various periods in its history (Thracian, Greek, Roman, Medieval Bulgarian kingdoms, Byzantine, Ottoman, Soviet, post-Soviet). The country is traditionally Orthodox Christian, but has a sizable Muslim minority. Bulgaria is also known for its vibrant folklore, especially its unique folk singing and dancing traditions. A traditionally agricultural country, Bulgaria produces a number of unique wine sorts (gamza, mavrud). Since 1989, Bulgaria has been a parliamentary democracy, joining the EU in 2007. Although it remains the poorest country in the EU and struggles with challenges such as emigration, demographic crises, corruption and rule-of-law, Bulgaria has nevertheless generally been politically and economically stable.

The academic year for most Bulgarian universities begins around October 1 and consists of fall and spring semesters, ending in June. The academic year covers up to 30 weeks. Classes usually meet once a week for 75 minutes or for two 45-minute periods with a 15-minute break in between. Education is highly valued in Bulgaria and a relatively large share of the population has completed secondary or higher education.

The Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission offers an in-country orientation and a cultural program for its Fulbright scholars. For additional information, please visit the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission's website or contact Program Officer Rada Kaneva at 359-2-9808212 or rkaneva@fulbright.bg.

For more about Bulgaria, please watch the following video: https://youtu.be/esT3KbwgjGg

Application Deadline

Closed

Activity Type

Professional Project

A Professional Project enables the participant to engage in activities in their area of expertise to enhance their professional development and the field at large. Projects may include serving as a professional consultant to the host organization, sharing expertise, visiting other organizations in their professional field, gaining practical experience, and attending public lectures. While the details vary according to the specific award, the focus of a Professional Project grant should not be research or teaching.

Research

Research includes activities involving scientific research, qualitative research, quantitative research, and practice-based research, including artistic research. Research can take place in locations such as the laboratory, the field, the archives, or an artist residency. It can be experimental, clinical, or applied. It can include examining policies, systems, theories, methods, interactions, and works of art and music, with the objective to evaluate or develop new knowledge or works. Quantifiable (tangible) outcomes can include publications (books, journal articles, scripts, etc.), conference presentations, artistic and musical compositions, exhibitions, performances, films, and patents.

Degree Requirements

Ph.D. (or other terminal degree) not required

Career Profile

Early Career Academics

Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for no more than seven years.

Mid-Career Academics

Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than seven, and less than 13, years.

Professionals

Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in a particular profession.

Number of Recipients

Program Staff

Kimberly Williams

Outreach and Recruitment Officer

Phone:

202-326-7765

Email:

EuropeEurasia@iie.org

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