The Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA) provide fully funded master’s degree study to individuals who clearly demonstrate academic and professional excellence and a deep commitment to leading positive social change in their communities.
CSLA directly assists future leaders in countries where civil society is challenged by a deficit of democratic practice in local governance and social development. Awards are available for master’s degree study in the following fields at universities participating in the CSLA program:
- Development Studies;
- Public Health & Health Management;
- Education Management & Leadership;
- Law & Human Rights;
- Public Policy & Administration;
- Environment & Natural Resource Management;
- Social Work & Social Policy;
- Politics & International Studies;
- Other select Humanities & Social Sciences.
Eligibility Criteria
CSLA does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.
The awards are available to citizens of the following countries:
- Azerbaijan;
- Belarus;
- Cambodia;
- Democratic Republic of Congo;
- Egypt;
- Equatorial Guinea;
- Eritrea;
- Ethiopia;
- Laos;
- Libya;
- Republic of Congo;
- South Sudan;
- Sudan;
- Syria;
- Turkmenistan;
- Uzbekistan.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a citizen of an eligible country;
- Demonstrate maturity, flexibility, and civil society leadership potential;
- Have excellent academic records and an earned bachelor’s degree before applying;
- Have proficiency in the language of instruction (English or French) at the desired university program, as evidenced by standardized language test scores;
- Be able to participate in an intensive academic writing program in July or August 2015 and start their degree program in August or September 2015;
- Be able to receive and maintain a visa or study permit as required by the host country; and
- Demonstrate a clear commitment to return to their home country or region to continue supporting open society development.
Ineligibility Criteria
The award does not provide:
- funding for applicants from any country not listed above;
- funding for foreign language teaching degrees, business administration, physical sciences, engineering, or medical degrees;
- funding for courses or universities not listed in the full guidelines;
- funding for dependent family members;
- funding for individuals receiving other Open Society–funded individual grants during the fellowship period;
- funding for employees of Open Society Foundations directly involved in the administration of scholarship programs.
Application deadline: 15 December 2014.
For further details and application please visit the Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA) page.
