QU Gulf Studies Center Fellowships
About the Gulf Studies Center and its activities:
The Gulf Studies Center was established in 2014 in order to address and cover issues relating to politics, security, energy, economics, culture and society. The center seeks to produce and develop research relating to the Gulf region. Prior to the center’s establishment, the College of Arts and Sciences launched the Master of Gulf Studies program in 2011. After the success of the master's program, the College launched the Gulf Studies Ph.D. program. The Gulf Studies center and program give it students opportunities to publish and share their research in distinguished academic platforms. Gulf Studies students address fundamental issues and questions in the fields of economy, politics, and security in the Gulf, in addition to other aspects of Gulf identity.
Through its distinguished academic and research experience, the Center offers fellows the opportunity to engage and collaborate with leading academics in the field of Gulf Studies through participation in workshops, seminars, and classroom lectures.
Objective of Developing Fellowship Programs in Gulf Studies
The fellowship programs offer academics, post-docs and professionals in the field from around the world an opportunity to collaborate with or continue their studies at the Center, work on their research projects, conduct fieldwork, and network with faculty and students through teaching or joint research projects.
Proposed Fellowship Programs:
The fellowship programs provide opportunities for teaching, research, and use of the resources available at the Center, as well as networking with a team of distinguished professors in the fields of Gulf Studies at the Center and in Qatar. The fellowship program is divided into three categories:
1. Pre-Doctoral Fellowship: this program targets the students enrolled in a Gulf Studies related PhD program who wish to conduct research and work on completing their thesis by spending a maximum of two semesters at GSC.
2. Post-doctoral Fellowship is available to fresh Ph.D. graduates, who have obtained their PhD within the past five years and are embarking in the academic careers, to continue their research at the Center. In addition to pursuing their own major research, GSC provides opportunities for fellows to participate actively in GSC's research activities and the academic community at Qatar University.
3. The Experienced Academics Fellowship enables those who hold a permanent position at a university or research center to continue their work at the Center. This fellowship may be ideal for faculty members who are on sabbatical leave from their institutions. Experts from government or civil society who have the relevant experience and academic qualifications necessary for this fellowship will also be considered for admission.
General Rules for Proposed Fellowship Programs:
1. Qatar University annually hosts three fellows in fellowship programs.
2. Fellows are required to adhere to the University's policies relating to conflict of interest.
3. The fellowship at the GSC is unpaid. Applicants should secure funding for their residency at Qatar University through their university/academic institutions or other sources to finance travel and living costs for the duration of their stay.
4. For applicants of the 3rd category, In the event that a fellow teaches a course for at least one semester, the university may provide a housing unit on campus.
5. The fellowship period can extend to an academic year (9 months). Visiting researchers may request an extension, if the necessary funding is provided for the stay in the State of Qatar together with the approval of the university and the approval.
6. Fellows assigned to fellowship programs are subject to Qatar University regulations and policies.
7. Final approval is subject to:
a. Acceptance of the submitted offer.
b. Meeting the university and human resources requirements for academic qualifications.
c. Submitting a certificate of good conduct attested by the country of the candidate for the fellowship and by the Qatari embassy in the country of residence.
d. Passing the medical examination and forensic evidence of the fellow upon arrival in the State of Qatar.
e. Approval of the work visa or transfer of sponsorship from the Ministry of Interior in the State of Qatar and passing the medical examination of candidates from within the State of Qatar.
Fellows’ Commitments:
The research fellow is expected to adhere to the following:
1. Adhere to Qatar University's policies and procedures including all policies related to intellectual property and ethical conduct of research. The Gulf Studies Center is responsible for ensuring that visitors understand and accept the relevant policies.
2. Provide the necessary papers to facilitate the issuance of the visa. The required documents must be provided to the center as well as to the Office of Graduate Studies at least three months before the expected visit.
3. The fellow shall be responsible for all expenses associated with accommodation at Qatar University including all travel, health insurance, accommodation and any other expenses.
4. Present a public lecture to faculty members and students at the Gulf Studies Center.
5. Active attendance of the Center's events and seminars.
6. Contribute to the Center's internal publications through a 3,500-word research paper (in case of a one-semester residency) or a 6,000-word research paper (in the case of an academic year), produced from the fellowship research and submitted at an agreed date.
7. Using the Center’s affiliation in their research outputs and participation in academic events.
8. For fellows applying to the 3rd category, in addition to the previous obligations, they must comply with the following:
a. Teach a maximum of two courses in graduate programs at the Center.
b. Assist in supervising graduate students in the Gulf Studies Program at Qatar University.
University Commitments
The University is committed to providing the following services:
1. Obtain entry and residence visas in accordance with the procedures followed by the university and the State.
2. Provide office and a university ID card that gives fellows an access to the university's research facilities, information and computing services.
3. Include fellows on the Center's webpage for affiliation purposes.
4. Participate in and attend events and academic activities of the Center.
5. Provide the necessary research support and guidance in line with the needs of the fellows.
6. Provide the candidate with a letter of attendance/certificate showing the time and tasks completed during the duration of the fellowship.
Procedures for applying to fellowship programs:
General requirements for applying to Fellowship Programs:
1. Admission for fellowship programs is between January 1 and April 1 of each year. Those interested can send their requests or questions to gulfstudiescenter@qu.edu.qa
2. Send an updated CV and a letter of intent, specifying the research agenda, duration and the purpose of the fellowship.
3. The applicant may communicate with the Director of the Center or relevant faculty members to discuss the research partnership or possibilities of mentoring/supervising. When necessary, applicants can submit a research proposal, curriculum or other supporting documents, if applicable.
4. The Academic Council of the Center evaluates the applications and submits its recommendations to the Director of the Center within a month.
5. The Director of the Center reviews the recommendations and submits his approval to the Associate Dean for humanities and Social Sciences for approval and submits it through the administrative channels to be approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Regarding the Pre-Doctoral Fellow Program
It is subject to the policies and procedures for hosting visiting students approved by Qatar University in addition to meeting the above requirements.