The Center for Near Eastern Studies will administer another award cycle of the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN). The program will support graduate training for interdisciplinary Middle East North Africa (MENA) studies. The purpose of the program is to enrich the nation’s pool of MENA specialists who intend to pursue a career in teaching and advancing American understanding of the region.
New and continuing UCLA graduate students pursuing a PhD in any discipline, with a focus on the MENA region, may apply for the GAANN award.
Talented students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
Award Amounts:
- Stipend: The academic year graduate GAANN Fellowship provides a stipend of up to $34,000 – final amount to be based on student's demonstrated level of financial need.
- Tuition & Fees: Graduate student tuition (in-state) and fees are also covered.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents
- Applicants must be eligible for federal need-based funding as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Applicants must verify they are not in arrears on student loans
- Continuing UCLA PhD students or new incoming graduate students (pending acceptance to UCLA)
- Must be enrolled full-time during fellowship period
- Demonstrate excellent academic achievement at UCLA and through transcripts from prior institutions
- Articulate a plan to pursue a PhD degree in an area of study related to the MENA region
- Articulate an academic career goal in teaching or research
Application Requirements:
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Statement of purpose outlining research and teaching plans related to MENA studies
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2 academic letters of recommendation, stating your potential for teaching and research
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University transcripts
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Resume or CV
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Demonstrate financial need by applying for the FAFSA. Financial need will be considered in determining the final awards. New and continuing students may apply for the AY 2017-18 FAFSA starting on Oct. 1, 2016. Continuing students must include a copy of their FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) and financial aid award letter from the UCLA Financial Aid Office. Entering students should submit the FAFSA Provisional Award Letters (PALs). To complete the FAFSA application, visit https://fafsa.ed.gov/
Fellowship Requirements:
- To qualify for academic year fellowships, recipients must be enrolled full time each term at UCLA. Directed reading courses in the language are accepted for advanced students with advance approval. Awards may be used for dissertation research, but this must be approved in advance.
- Fellows’ dissertation research must be related to MENA topics.
- Fellows must attend interdisciplinary training workshops and MENA Studies Lab activities throughout the school year.
- During their PhD program all fellows must complete at least one 50% teaching assistant appointment at the graduate or undergraduate level at UCLA (could be before, during, or after fellowship year).
Fellowship Reporting Requirements:
Recipients are required by the US Department of Education to complete a performance report at the beginning and end of the award period and to submit MENA Lab evaluations.
Supplementary funding from other funding agencies is not allowed. Recipients will have to decide which grant to accept and pairing will not be allowed. Fellows are required to inform CNES of any other funding offered during the award period.
Fellowship Post-award tracking:
Report fellows’ education and employment status and noteworthy activities for up to 8 years after graduation
Dates:
The online application will be available in November, 2016.
Deadline: February 22, 2017