Walter Hines Page Scholarships Chautauqua Bell Tower Scholarships Notes for applicants About The English‐Speaking Union is an international membership organisation and educational charity that promotes mutual understanding, and fosters friendship and exchange throughout the world. Walter Hines Page was the US Ambassador in London during the First World War, championed UK‐US relations and helped found the ESU. The ESU’s Walter Hines Page and Chautauqua Bell Tower scholarships provide UK teaching professionals with the opportunity to explore and exchange educational ideas between Britain and America. Scholars travel to the US to study an aspect of education, or to participate in the Chautauqua Institution’s summer programme: www.ciweb.org. The Walter Hines Page Scholarships are sponsored by UK teaching unions and associations. The Chautauqua Bell Tower Scholarships are funded by award‐winning philanthropist, Carol Duhme.
Application process Closing date: Friday 23 November, 2012 If you are applying for a Walter Hines Page Scholarship, OR a Walter Hines Page AND Chautauqua Bell Tower Scholarship, please return your full application to your union/association. If you are only applying for a Chautauqua Bell Tower Scholarship, please return your full application to the ESU: Education Department, The English‐Speaking Union, Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London W1J 5ED, education@esu.org. Applications must be typed and accompanied by a research proposal (1000 words), a recent professional reference/testimonial, and four passport sized photographs with the applicant’s name on the back. All applicants will be informed of the outcome. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview at Dartmouth House in London in March 2013. The interview panel includes representatives from each of the participating unions/associations.
What does a scholarship cover? Walter Hines Page The value of each scholarship varies according to the sponsoring union/association, and helps cover the cost of international and domestic travel, and in‐country expenses. Please visit www.esu.org/page for a list of sponsoring unions/associations and their contact details. Chautauqua Bell Tower Each scholarship (1‐2 per annum) covers board, tuition and lecture sessions at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. Scholars are responsible for travel and incidental expenses which are offset by a grant of £850 from the ESU.
When could I take up my scholarship? Walter Hines Page All scholarships must be taken up during the US academic year, October 2013 to May 2014, and whilst US educational institutions are in session. Scholars visit the US for two weeks. Scholars are welcome to stay longer, but are responsible for all arrangements and costs. In partnership with ESU‐US and, where possible, scholars are encouraged to take up hospitality with ESU branches in the US. Please note that many branches are unable to host scholars in the autumn. Should a scholar hope to take up branch hospitality, the ESU recommends the trip takes place between November 2013 and May 2014. Please see below for more information on staying with branches. Chautauqua Bell Tower Scholars can spend 2‐6 weeks at Chautauqua, between late June and late August 2013. The dates and duration will vary according to the availability of scholars, and in consultation with Carol Duhme and the Chautauqua Institution following the selection of the scholar/s.
Staying with ESU‐US branches In partnership with ESU‐US www.esuus.org, and where possible, scholars are encouraged to take up hospitality with ESU branches in the US. Upon receiving a scholarship, ESU‐US will provide you with a list of participating branches offering hospitality, and their availability. Branches are able to host a scholar for three to four nights each. Depending on availability, one scholar might stay with 2/3 branches during their trip. The ESU‐US cannot guarantee branch hospitality. If scholars wish to stay with branches, scholars should be aware they may not receive their first choice and must be open to exploring lesser‐known US cities with unique and valuable resources. If there is a specific city that is integral to your research goals that does not have a participating ESU branch during your dates of travel, you will be required to make independent arrangements. Hosting branches may be able to provide scholars with contacts and appointments relating to their research interests. However, scholars remain responsible for planning their research, reaching out to relevant institutions, and setting up appointments.
Conditions of scholarship The Walter Hines Page scholarships sponsored by unions and associations are limited to their own members. Page Scholars must submit a report within one month of their return to the UK. If requested, Page Scholars are also expected to give talks in the US and in the UK, so that the influence of the scholarship shall be as far reaching as possible. The scholarships are limited to the individual teachers. Family members, spouses and partners may not be included in the travelling, accommodation or research arrangements. Obtaining visas and arranging domestic and international travel is the responsibility of the scholar.
What makes a strong application? The purpose of the scholarships is to encourage the exchange of educational ideas between Britain and America, and in doing so, offer teaching professionals with the opportunity for personal and professional development. In light of this, your proposed research, and overall application, will be assessed on the following criteria: • Benefit to the candidate’s personal and professional development. • Benefit to education institutions in Britain and America, and ESU‐US branches (if applicable). • Feasibility ‐ can the research be completed within two weeks, and within the context of the American education system? (not applicable to Chautauqua candidates) • Flexibility ‐ if the scholar is to take advantage of hospitality from ESU branches, locations and dates will need to be discussed and agreed upon in consultation with ESU‐US.
Guidelines for your research proposal The research proposal (1000 words) is the most important part of the application. In your proposal, please describe what aspect/s of education you wish to study in the US, and how this research relates to your personal and professional development. In addition, please answer the following questions: • • • • •
What are your reasons for applying for a scholarship? What are your aims and objectives for the scholarship? What institutions, or types of institutions, do you hope to visit/conduct your research at? If one city or region is central to your research, please identify schools and/or educational organisations you plan to reach out to. How would you intend on carrying out your research? Do you already have professional/institutional contacts in the US? If so, how might you make use of them? Does your research pertain to any particular areas/regions of the US?
NB: If applying only for a Chautauqua Bell Tower Scholarship, please provide a personal statement (500 words) rather than a research proposal, including your reasons for applying, areas of interest, and how a visit to Chautauqua would benefit your personal and professional development. w: www.esu.org/teachers e: education@esu.org t: +44 (0)20 7529 1550