Recognizing that universities play a fundamental role in supporting civil society, AFP aims to contribute to higher education reform in Southeastern Europe and Eurasia, and to help build academic networks locally, regionally, and globally. AFP focuses on both the educational institution and the individual scholar by:

• helping reform-minded departments achieve world-class academic stature in hopes that the departments will become model platforms for innovation and reform elsewhere in the region; and
• assisting promising local scholars by promoting their return to the region, their positioning within academe, and their continued professional development.

To achieve these goals, AFP offers two fellowship programs:

The Returning Scholars Fellowship Program (RSFP) offers financial, institutional and professional development support for talented scholars who, after studying abroad, seek university positions and academic careers in their home countries.

The program operates in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, and Ukraine.

The International Scholars Fellowship Program (ISFP) invites highly qualified scholars in the social sciences and humanities from around the world to teach and/or consult at selected university departments in the region.

Candidates must be well-established or senior scholars and hold an internationally recognized PhD (or equivalent highest degree awarded in the academic field). AFP accepts applications for placements in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, and Ukraine.

For more information and an application, please see the RSFP or ISFP guidelines.

Source: http://www.soros.org/initiatives/hesp/focus/afp/grants/isfp, as accessed on October 4, 2010.