E-News: October 2004

1. MU International News

• Last Call for International Recipes
• Long Distance Citizenship - Resources for Overseas Voting
• International Education Week (IEW) - November 14-19, 2004

2. Upcoming International Events at MU

• Classical Dances of India. October 8
• Lecture - Africa's Commitments to Addressing Agriculture and Food Security through the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). October 11
• International Student Workshop - Optional Practical Training. October 12, 22, and 28.
• World Food Day Teleconference and Discussion. October 15
• Ballet Gran Folklorico de Mexico. October 15
• Workshop - International Scholar Employment at MU (J-1, H-1, and Permanent Residence). October 21
• International Student Workshop - Legal Issues: When Vehicles and Visas Collide. October 27
• India Nite. October 30

3. Funding Opportunities for Faculty

• Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad Fellowship Program--Deadline October 19
• Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program--Deadline November 2
• Business and International Education Program--Deadline November 9
• Undergraduate International Studies, Foreign Language Program--Deadline November 9
• International Research and Studies Program--Deadline November 12
• Grant Proposals for Professional Exchange Programs--Deadline November 19

4. Funding Opportunities for Students

• Freeman-ASIA Award Program--Spring 2005 deadline October 15
• Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Research Abroad Fellowship Program--Deadline October 19
• Curator's Grant-in-Aid Program (for international students)-Deadline November 5
• German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)--Deadline November 15

1. MU International News:

Last call for recipes! The International Center will be launching an international cookbook titled "From Many Lands" in November in conjunction with International Education Week 2004. Share your favorite recipe online by Friday, October 8 to be included in this compilation of MU favorites from around the world (American recipes are welcome!)

Long Distance Citizenship - This Fall, 120 MU students are currently studying overseas, joining the estimated 4 to 10 million U.S. citizens who will be residing abroad during the upcoming presidential election. Casting a vote from another country presents a unique opportunity, as well as a few challenges. The International Center recently provided students studying abroad with the following resources to assist with overseas voter registration and absentee voting.

• Overseas Vote 2004 (http://www.overseasvote2004.com [note: link changed in August 2005 to http://www.overseasvotefoundation.org]). For those who have internet access and a printer, this is by far the least confusing, quickest way to fill in the request forms for an absentee ballot.
• Political Parties Abroad - Both Democrats Abroad (http://www.democratsabroad.org) and Republicans Abroad (http://www.republicansabroad.org) can provide the paperwork and assistance in filling in the forms.
• The Federal Voter Assistance Program (http://www.fvap.gov). The FVAP is the government program dedicated to overseas voting and is actually a part of the Department of Defense. The FVAP site provides all the necessary forms for download along with state by state instructions.

International Education Week (IEW) - November 14-19, 2004 - IEW 2004 is coming to MU this semester. Events will include International Crafts & Games Day for area children, the "Faces of Iraq" photo exhibit, a cross-cultural communication workshop, and a keynote address by MU Chancellor Brady Deaton. Please refer to the official MU IEW website for the complete calendar of events and more information.

2. Upcoming International Events at MU

Classical Dances of India. October 8, 6:00 pm, 106 Pickard Hall Auditorium (Museum of Art and Archeology). (details)

Lecture - Africa's Commitments to Addressing Agriculture and Food Security Through the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). October 11, 3:30 pm, 217 Mumford Hall. (details)

International Student Workshop - Optional Practical Training. October 12, 9:00 - 11:00 am; October 22, 1:00 - 2:00 pm; October 28, 9:00 - 10:00 am. All workshops will be held in S204 Memorial Union. Optional Practical Training (OPT), a benefit of the F-1 visa, allows F-1 students to work in the US for up to one year after completing their studies. (details)

World Food Day - Teleconference and Discussion. October 15, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, Academic Support Center (505 East Stewart Road, Room 20). (details)

Ballet Gran Folklorico de Mexico. October 15, 7:00 pm, Jesse Hall Auditorium. (details)

Workshop - International Scholar Employment at MU (J-1, H-1, and Permanent Residence). October 21, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon, Monsanto Auditorium, Life Sciences Center. (details)

International Student Workshop - Legal Issues: When Vehicles and Visas Collide. October 27, 5:00 - 6:00 pm, location to be announced. What do you need to know before purchasing a car? Which vehicle-related law violations can affect your visa status? How can you avoid being a victim of consumer fraud when dealing with mechanics? These are just a few questions that will be answered during this workshop, which is co-sponsored by MU's Student Legal Services. (details)

India Nite. October 30, 7:00 pm, Jesse Hall Auditorium.

3. Funding Opportunities for Faculty

Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad Fellowship Program--Deadline October 19. The Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education is seeking applications for the FY2005 Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad Fellowship Program, which offers opportunities to faculty members of institutions of higher education for research and study in modern foreign languages and area studies. Priority will be given to projects that focus on one or more of the following areas: Africa, East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, South Asia, the Near East, East Central Europe and Eurasia, and the Western Hemisphere (Canada, Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean). Deadline for applications is October 19, 2004. (details)

Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program--Deadline November 2. The Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education is inviting applicants for awards through the Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program, which supports overseas projects in training, research, and area studies for students, teachers, and faculty. (details)

Business and International Education Program--Deadline November 9. The Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education is inviting new applications for awards through the Business and International Education Program. The program provides grants to enhance international business education programs and to expand the capacity of the business community to engage in international economic activities. Grants are awarded to institutions of higher education that enter into agreements with business enterprises, trade organizations, or associations that engage in international economic activity. (details)

Undergraduate International Studies, Foreign Language Program--Deadline November 9. The Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education is inviting applicants for awards through the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program. While the final budget for this award has not yet been approved by Congress, they are requesting applications be transmitted by November 9 to ensure a timely processing of award grants. Eligible applicants include all institutions of higher education, public and private nonprofit agencies including professional and scholarly associations, and partnerships between the eligible applicants. (details)

International Education Training Program--Deadline November 12. The DOS Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is accepting grant proposals from private and public nonprofit organizations to train international education professionals from accredited U.S. colleges and universities throughout the United States to work effectively with international students, scholars, international exchange programs, and U.S. study abroad programs and to enhance community involvement with participants in these programs. Funded activities must be open to staff from any accredited U.S. institution of higher education. (details)

International Research and Studies Program--Deadline November 12. The Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education is inviting applications for awards through the International Research and Studies Program, which provides grants to programs that conduct research to improve area studies, instruction in modern foreign languages, and other international fields. (details)

Grant Proposals for Professional Exchange Programs--Deadline November 19. The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for grants that support exchanges and build relationships between U.S. nonprofit organizations and civil society groups in Africa, East Asia, Eurasia, Europe, the Near East/North Africa, South Asia, and the Western Hemisphere. (details)

4. Funding Opportunities for Students

Freeman-ASIA Award Program--Spring 2005 deadline October 15. The primary goal of the Freeman-ASIA Award Program is to increase the number of American undergraduate students who study in East and Southeast Asia, by providing them with the information and financial assistance they will need. Awards range from $3000-$7000 depending on program duration. (more information)

Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Research Abroad Fellowship Program--Deadline October 19. The Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education is seeking applications for the FY2005 Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship Program, which provides opportunities for graduate students to engage in full-time dissertation research abroad in modern foreign languages and area studies. Priority will be given to projects that focus on one or more of the following areas: Africa, East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, South Asia, the Near East, East Central Europe and Eurasia, and the Western Hemisphere (Canada, Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean). Deadline for applications is October 19, 2004. (more info)

Curator's Grant-in-Aid Program-Deadline November 5. The Grant-in-Aid (GIA) program is designated exclusively for international students at MU. GIAs are awarded on a semester only basis to both graduate and undergraduate students based on an assessment of financial need, academic merit, longevity at MU, and work/activities. Undergraduate awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 for one semester. Graduate GIA awards waive up to 1-9 hours of educational fees and all non-resident fees. (details)

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)--Deadline November 15. The DAAD offers numerous scholarships for graduating seniors, advanced graduate students and Ph.D. candidates of high academic caliber who propose to study and/or conduct research at a German institution of higher education. Selection is based on academic excellence; proposed study plan and its feasibility. MU may nominate an applicant to receive priority consideration. http://www.daad.org