Posztgraduális szociológiai kutatások támogatása az Egyesült Államokban - "B" ösztöndíj

SCHOLARSHIP TO CONDUCT PhD RESEARCH
AT THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY, BLOOMINGTON, UNITED STATES
The Julius Rezler Foundation invites applicants for a scholarship to conduct doctoral research at the Department of Sociology, Indiana University (IU), Bloomington (https://sociology.indiana.edu). IU offers an excellent research opportunity for PhD students from Hungarian universities who seek a stimulating academic environment to work towards their degrees. At Indiana University the Rezler fellow will be hosted as a no-pay Visiting Research Scholar.
The scholarship, which runs for four months, is to be awarded for the Fall semester of the academic year 2025/2026. The Department of Sociology intends to receive one visiting Rezler scholar.
Who should apply?
Hungarian citizens, already taking part in or having recently gained admission to PhD studies in Hungary are eligible to apply. The subject of the applicants’ PhD research should be related to the interdisciplinary area of work. Applicants must have achieved academic standing sufficiently advanced to assure the possible best use of the research scholarship.
Applicants should demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency to meet the U.S. Department of State requirements for J-1 Exchange Visitors (Short-term Research Scholar) Visa by one of the following objective measurements:
1) A recognized English language test within the last 12 months;
a) Internet-based TOEFL minimum 105, or
b) Print-based TOEFL minimum 620, or
c) IELTS minimum 7.5, or
d) MELAB minimum 87
2) Signed documentation dated within the last 12 months from an academic institution or English language school confirming proficiency level;
3) A documented interview conducted by the hosting department either in-person or by videoconference, or by telephone if videoconference is not a viable option.
If applicants seek the recognition of their English language proficiency as stipulated by option 3), Level C1 of the ECL Exam system is required.

Financial terms and other requirements
The total amount of the stipendium - USD 7.000 - is to cover the Rezler Scholar's costs in Bloomington. Should the planned stay in the U.S. be shorter than four months the funding will be reduced accordingly. Visa expenses and the SEVIS fee (in total approx. USD 420) will be reimbursed by the Foundation. The stipendium is not intended to cover the international travel cost, which needs to be financed by the Rezler scholar, separately.
The Rezler scholar must possess medical insurance sufficient to meet the U.S. Department of State as well as the IU requirements for himself/herself and any accompanying dependents, if relevant. Proof of insurance should be provided to the IU Office of International Services within one week of arrival. Current medical insurance requirements for visiting scholars are available at this link: https://ois.iu.edu/living-working/health/insurance/scholars.html. The health insurance should be purchased by the Rezler scholar.
Should any special COVID-19 related test, vaccination or documentation requirements apply for travelers to the U.S. at the time of the visit, the Rezler Scholar must fully comply with them. Similarly, the Rezler Scholar must comply with all coronavirus pandemic related and prevention requirements (vaccination, testing, self-reporting, masking, social distancing, etc.) as introduced by the Indiana University and in effect for the campus.
How to apply?
Applicants should submit the following documents in English to the Foundation in electronic form, via e-mail (to rezler.foundation@gmail.com):
1. a short CV (preferably in Europass format), including information about the applicant's financial background and social situation if the applicant considers this information appropriate
2. a research plan (max. 3 pages) to be carried out within the scholarship period at IU, including
- the main elements of the planned research project (hypothesis, methods, sources, data, etc. as appropriate), a timetable and expected outcomes
- the relationship between the intended research at the IU and the PhD thesis in general
- prior research achievements, especially in the field of the PhD; list of publications as well as a reasoning why the IU is the appropriate setting for the intended research
3. an official statement from the Doctoral School proving that the applicant is an accepted PhD student
4. a letter of recommendation assuming the Doctoral School deems the scholarship as appropriate for furthering the applicant’s academic capabilities and obtaining the degree
5. a copy of the Master diploma and the proof of proficiency in English language Application deadline: 24:00 CET, 31 March 2025.

Selection procedure and criteria
The receipt of the applications will be acknowledged by the Foundation via email. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
All applications will be reviewed by the Kuratorium. The most promising applicants will be invited for a personal interview, where the prospective candidates present their academic background, proposed research project and personal motivation, and prove their language skills in English.
The interviews will be held in the week starting on 31 March 2025. Invited applicants who fail to attend the personal interview will not be considered for the further selection process. Exceptionally, in case of insurmountable obstacles, the interview can be conducted on-line.
The scholarship will be given to a Rezler scholar on a competitive basis, considering the following criteria:
- academic merit, prior research experience and achievements (publications especially)
- scientific quality and originality of the research plan submitted
- methodological approach and, if appropriate, the American dimension of the intended research
- relevance of the research topic to the prime mission of the Rezler Foundation
- use of IU’s scientific strengths and resources in the planned research
- the value/importance of the scholarship in developing and furthering the applicant’s academic capabilities and career
- commitment and ability to successfully complete the research plan at IU
- English language proficiency
- willingness to network within the American academic and research community, primarily within the IU
- willingness to participate in the activities of the local Hungarian civil organizations
- overall accuracy and quality of the application.
In the case of two equally qualified candidates, preference will be given, according to the will of the Founding Father, to candidates who
- have not yet reached the age of 35 by the date of application,
- demonstrate the need for financial assistance to conduct research in the U.S.,
- who have not had prior scholarship in the U.S.
The decision of the Kuratorium will be released within a week after the interview. Particular justification will not be provided.
While the Kuratorium recruits and selects the candidate for the research scholarship, the Department of Sociology at IU reserves the right not to accept, without any justification, the proposed scholar. The chair of the Department of Sociology or her designated representative will review the research plan of the candidate selected by the Rezler Kuratorium and will evaluate its professional merits. The candidate’s English proficiency could be also subject of an interview by the IU.

What are the expectations from the Rezler scholar?
The Department of Sociology will provide administrative support as well as familiarize the Rezler scholar with appropriate material and people resources in his/her research area.
The Rezler scholar is expected to do intensive research while staying in the U.S., therefore it is strongly advised, based on the experience of the previous scholars, not be accompanied by dependents. If an exception is approved by the Rezler Kuratorium, the Rezler scholar must provide proof of additional funding, sufficient for each accompanying family member to qualify for a J-2 visa.
Within a month after the return from the U.S., the Rezler scholar is requested to submit a technical report (in Hungarian) about his/her research progress. The report will be evaluated by the Kuratorium, and if it is of high quality, will be published on the website of the Foundation. The Rezler scholar will be invited to inform the Kuratorium about his/her experience at the IU.
The Rezler Fellow is also expected to publish his/her research findings in an acknowledged academic periodical within a reasonable time, acknowledging the support of the Rezler Foundation.