ARCS ACADEMIC PROGRAM FELLOWSHIP COMPETITION

AMERICAN RESEARCH CENTER IN SOFIA

THE PROGRAMS

The American Research Center in Sofia (ARCS), Bulgaria, offers three programs with accompanying fellowships for the academic year 2012–2013: a Fall term program (September–November 2012) focusing on the history and archaeology of Bulgaria and neighboring countries, from prehistory to the present day; a Spring term program (February–April 2013) focusing on the history of religion in Bulgaria and neighboring countries; and a nine-month program (September 2012–May 2013) which incorporates the material of both Fall and Spring terms. The programs combine a formal academic curriculum with independent research. ARCS hosts the programs' lectures and seminars; organizes related study trips; facilitates opportunities for taking Bulgarian and other Balkan language classes; and provides logistical support and access to local libraries, museums, and other educational institutions. The Center engages the participants with eminent local scholars relevant to the field of their study and makes arrangements for specialized research at local institutions. Further details about these programs are available on the ARCS webpage (www.einaudi.cornell.edu/arcs) and the ARCS facebook group page.



THE FELLOWSHIPS

ARCS plans to offer three fellowships for the Fall term program, three for the Spring term program, and one for the nine-month program. The fellowships include a monthly stipend ($600/month), housing in Bulgaria, language instruction, travel expenses within the academic program, and up to $1,000 for travel expenses between North America and Bulgaria.



ELIGIBILITY

Graduate students engaged in research on ancient, medieval, or modern Bulgaria or the Balkan peninsula, in any field of the humanities and social sciences, are eligible for all three programs. The Fall term and Spring term programs (but not fellowships) are also open to advanced undergraduate students with similar research interests. Non-U.S. applicants are expected to maintain an affiliation with an educational institution in the United States or Canada. School and university faculty may apply to be admitted for the Fall term or Spring term program, but are ineligible for ARCS fellowships. The American Research Center in Sofia does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, sexual orientation, color, religion, ethnic origin, or disability when considering admission to its programs.



APPLICATION PROCEDURE

A complete application consists of: the ARCS application form (available at www.einaudi.cornell.edu/arcs/annualprogram.pdf); a project proposal describing how participation in the ARCS academic program will serve your research interests (not to exceed three double-spaced pages); a current cv; academic transcripts; and two letters of reference from scholars familiar with your work. These materials must be submitted by email to Professor Kevin Clinton (kmc1@cornell.edu), Chair of the ARCS Fellowship Committee, by February 15, 2012. ARCS expects to notify applicants of the decision of the Fellowship Committee by April 1, 2012.



CONTACT

Please direct any questions about ARCS academic programs, fellowships, or application procedures to

Professor Denver Graninger (graninger.arcs@gmail.com), Director of ARCS.

American Research Center in Sofia, 75 Vasil Petleshkov St., Sofia 1510, BULGARIA

TEL: (+359 2) 947 9498; FAX: (+359 2) 840 1962; www.einaudi.cornell.edu/arcs/

Balkan Heritage Field School 2011

The Balkan Heritage Field School has just opened the application session for ten projects (in 2011) in the following areas: Archaeology, Art History, Restoration and Conservation of Artifacts and Monuments and Christian Art and Culture. Thanks to the partnership with New Bulgarian University, Sofia, Bulgaria 6 academic credits (for two-week projects), 9 academic credits (for four-week projects) and 12 academic credits (for six-week projects) will be granted upon request to students involved in these projects.

Affiliated partner institutions: New Bulgarian University, Varna Regional Museum of History, Blagoevgrad Regional Museum of History, Archaeological Museum of Sozopol (Bulgaria), Fulbright Commission (USA/ Bulgaria); Youth Cultural Center - Bitola, National Institute of Stobi, National Institute and Museum - Bitola (Macedonia), Conservation Of Sculptures, Monuments And Objects (Canada);

Guest specialists from: Queen’s University (Canada), Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology, Nanterre (France).

The Balkan Heritage Field School (est. 2003) is a part of the Balkan Heritage Foundation – a Bulgarian public, non-profit, non-governmental organization. It implements various educational projects in the areas of Archaeology, Cultural Anthropology, Folklore, Art History, Restoration and Conservation of artefacts and monuments, Fine Arts and Theology with participation of students, scholars and volunteers from all over the World.

2011 Projects

"FRESCO-HUNTING" PHOTO EXPEDITION TO MEDIEVAL BALKAN CHURCHES 1 (Western Bulgaria) and 2 (SW Macedonia)

BIRTH OF EUROPE - EXCAVATION OF THE EARLY NEOLITHIC SETTLEMENT ILINDENTSI

WORKSHOP FOR CONSERVATION, RESTORATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF ROMAN POTTERY

WORKSHOP FOR RESTORATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF ANCIENT GREEK POTTERY

A BYZANTINE COLD CASE FILE - EARLY CHRISTIAN MONASTERY -STRONGHOLD
EXCAVATIONS IN VARNA (ANCIENT ODESSOS)

HERACLEA LYNCESTIS EXCAVATIONS

STOBI (THE CAPITAL CITY OF MACEDONIA SECUNDA) EXCAVATIONS

WORKSHOP FOR CONSERVATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF LATE ROMAN MURAL PAINTINGS

Detailed information about all Balkan Heritage Field School Projects in 2011 is available on our website at: http://www.bhfieldschool.org/