Applications for the program must be submitted by a US host institution representative on behalf of an invited Mongolian scholar. Visits to the US must begin between September 1 and December 31, 2012. This program is intended to fund non-degree, scholarly exchange activities.

Applications are due by February 15, 2012, and must be submitted by individuals affiliated with US universities or academic research institutes authorized to sponsor Exchange Visitors on J-1 visas.  Applications will include a description of the collaborative research project and its importance; the CV of the primary scholar who will serve as the point of contact at the US host institution; a commitment letter and CV of the proposed Mongolian Visiting Scholar; a support letter from an authorized representative of the US host institution; and a plan for public presentations or participation in classroom teaching by the Mongolian Visiting Scholar while in the United States. The US host institution is responsible overseeing activities for the duration of the visit by the Visiting Mongolian Scholar, and is also responsible for ensuring that the proposed program and arrangements will be followed.

In order to support the goal of expanding knowledge of Mongolia in the United States, proposals must include a description of potential outreach activities that the host institution will organize for the Mongolian Visiting Scholar. Applicants are encouraged to clearly describe the content, target audiences, and intended outcomes of these outreach or educational activities. The following is a list of potential outreach activities supported under this program, but applicants are not necessarily limited to this list:

• Public lectures
• Cultural events
• Guest lecturing or teaching courses
• Conference panels or presentations
• Media events
• Development of resources such as books, films or other media

The ACMS Mongolian Visiting Scholar Program will provide funding to support travel (international and domestic) and living expenses, such as housing, per diem, and health insurance coverage. Applications that demonstrate a commitment by the host institution to provide supplemental or additional resources such as housing, per diem, travel funds, office space, or health insurance will be given priority. Up to two awards for up to $5,000 per award will be made. The ACMS will assist institutions preparing an application to identify a qualified Mongolian scholar for their proposed program if requested. For successful applicants, the ACMS is available to assist with the J-1 visa application process, logistics and travel arrangements between the US and Mongolia, and support information dissemination for the project.  All Mongolian scholars proposed under this program must be eligible to receive a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa, and all US host institutions must meet the requirements for hosting an international visitor under this program.

Applications must be submitted online at: https://mongoliacenter.org/visiting_application.html.

Note: Your application is not saved until you click the "submit" button on the last page of the online application form, so you may initially work through the application without submitting the form to see all required data. It is advisable to prepare your data for the application in advance before attempting to submit your complete application.

All inquiries about the program should be sent to: apply@mongoliacenter.org

Instructions for applying are available directly below:

• Application Instructions (.pdf)
• General Terms and Conditions (.pdf)

Awards will vary depending on length of stay and proposed activities but shall not exceed $5,000 per individual award. Applicants are encouraged to apply for funding from other sources in addition to the ACMS Mongolian Visiting Scholars program to support the visiting scholar. Demonstrations of other applications or receipt of other sources of support will be viewed favorably by the review committee.

Project proposals with Visiting Scholars in any field, including humanities, sciences and social sciences are eligible. Final selection is made by a selection committee comprising members of the academic and professional communities in Ulaanbaatar utilizing uniform evaluation criteria. Applications from ACMS institutional members shall receive funding priority. The application is due by February 15, 2012, and selection announcements will be made by the end of March 2012.

The ACMS is committed to equitable access and participation without regard to gender, race, national origin, color, disability or age.

1. Applications must be submitted by an individual affiliated with a college, university or academic research center located in the United States. Applicants must agree to meet the requirements for hosting exchange visitors under rules of the J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor program requirements. For more information on the J-1 Exchange Visitor program, please see: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html

2. The Mongolian Visiting Scholar must spend between three and twelve weeks in the United States. All projects must start between September 1 and December 31, 2012. The primary US host scholar must be present on campus during the period when the Mongolian Visiting Scholar is in the US.

3. The Mongolian Visiting Scholars program is intended to support research collaborations and outreach activities for a Mongolian Scholar on a short-term visit to the United States. Mongolian scholars should not be enrolled in courses during their stay in the United States, and they are required to return to Mongolia at the end of the ACMS Mongolian Visiting Scholar program period.

4. Applications must be received by the ACMS by February 15, 2012.

5. Program participants, both US hosts and Mongolian Visiting Scholars, must report to the ACMS all changes in the collaborative project or additional sources of funding received that are not detailed in the original application. Failure to meet this obligation may result in the revocation of the award.

6. All travel between the US and Mongolia that uses funds from this program must meet the provisions of the Fly America Act. Details about these provisions will be provided to award recipients.

7. Funds disbursed under this program will be provided directly to the Mongolian Visiting Scholar to cover costs related to travel and living expenses. No funds will be provided to the US Host Institution (zero direct and indirect costs). Program participants are responsible for reporting all funds received as required by governments and tax authorities.

8. A portion of the program funds will be withheld until the US host institution submits a final report on the collaborative activities and outreach successfully completed under the ACMS Mongolian visiting Scholar program.

9. All Mongolian Visiting Scholars must have proper medical and evacuation insurance coverage for the period of their stay in the US. This coverage will be included in the award amount. Proof of coverage will be required before visitors can travel to the US.

10. The ACMS reserves the right to adjust the amounts and types of awards given under this program, as well as the general terms and conditions, before award agreements are reached with each recipient.

The ACMS offices in the US and Ulaanbaatar are available to assist applicants in identifying suitable Mongolian scholars for proposals upon request. Applicants without prior experience in Mongolia are especially encouraged to contact the ACMS at apply@mongoliacenter.org for guidance about particular aspects of their project proposals.