Opportunity
Academics Without Borders (AWB) is a nonprofit organization that mounts international projects in partnership with universities in the Global South. Its mission is to support capacity development in higher education in developing countries so that these countries can educate the experts and professionals that are necessary for their development. It does this by sending expert volunteers from Canada and other countries to support local initiatives. AWB projects focus on a number of areas, including but not limited to health, teaching and learning methodology, various academic disciplines, student services, and back office operations. That is, in any area in which institutions of higher education are involved. After volunteers have completed their assignments, it is the partner institutions, themselves, which sustain the projects’ activities.
Carleton faculty and staff are invited to submit a proposal introducing a capacity-building project in an institution of higher education in low or middle-income countries.
For environmental reasons, AWB have revised their emphasis on projects and travel as “international travel when necessary but not necessarily international travel.” They encourage submission of projects that can be implemented in whole or in part via online methods. They will also consider projects requiring on-site activity but consideration should be given to maximizing work that can be done remotely in preparation for on-site visits.
Eligibility
Open to current or retired faculty or staff members of an AWB Network institution. When travel is involved, the volunteer must be willing to spend the time at the partner institution in the developing world to realize the goals of the project.
The partner institution in the developing world must be a public or private non-profit institution of higher education accredited by a national agency that is willing to enter into a partnership with AWB. The project must be a priority for the partner institution in the developing world and the institution must be willing to be an active collaborator on the project. The initiative must contribute to sustainable institutional development.
This call for project proposals is designed to build on established relationships between you and your colleagues at an institution of higher education in a developing country. The existing knowledge, networks, and trust between you and the people with whom you have worked contributes to sustainable change.
Funding
All expenses directly related to the AWB project are covered by AWB or the partner institution in the developing world, including online platform costs (to facilitate remote connections), economy air travel, airport transfers, medical and travel insurance, visa, necessary vaccinations and medications, in-transit costs for hotels and meals, and stipend for living expenses. AWB does not cover the cost of equipment or books and does not provide a salary or honorarium for its volunteers.
The partner institution must cover the costs of their staff, laboratory and/or classroom space and equipment, office expenses, and publication necessary for the project’s success. They are also expected to provide accommodations, local transportation, and, if possible, a stipend to cover local costs for the volunteer(s).
Deadlines
Application Deadline: March 17, 2023 (Please submit project proposals to Corrie Young at cyoung@awb-usf.org.)
Decision on initial applications: April 7, 2023
Submitting Your Application
The process is in two stages.
1. Submission of a first stage application introducing a capacity-building project proposal in an institution of higher learning in a low-income country.
2. If the proposal meets the eligibility requirements, it moves to a second stage in which AWB contacts the partner institution and invites a more fully developed project proposal.
Please submit project proposals to Corrie Young at cyoung@awb-usf.org.
For complete details on this call for proposals, click here.
Note that AWB will provide a copy of your proposal to the AWB Network contact person at your institution for their information.
Contacts
At Academics Without Borders:
For any questions concerning this call for proposals, please contact Corrie Young at cyoung@awb-usf.org
At Carleton International:
If you would like assistance with proposal development or for more information, please contact Sylvie Jasen.