A call for applications for Civil Society Scholar Awards is opened now! The Civil Society Scholar Awards support doctoral students and university faculty to undertake academic projects that will enrich socially-engaged research and critical scholarship in their home country or region.

CSSA is a scholarship program of the Open Society Foundations. The OSF believe that the solutions to the national, regional, and global challenges people face demand the free exchange of ideas and thought, and that everyone should have a voice in shaping the policies that affect them. The Open Society Foundations therefore work to build vibrant and inclusive societies, grounded in respect for human rights and the rule of law, whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. 

Civil Society Scholars are selected on the basis of their outstanding academic record as well as their active engagement with local communities, their potential to champion open society values in their home regions, and their ability strengthen critical scholarship and academic networks within their fields. Proposals may include international travel, but this is no longer required.

This year's CSSA call prioritizes research which specifically addresses pressing societal issues within the following themes, broadly defined: defense against rising authoritarianism sustainable development, climate action, and mitigating the effects of climate change economic justice and worker rights information democracy addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on an applicant’s home country or region.

Projects in social sciences and humanities can last between three and ten months, between March and December 2021, while the maximum available funding is 15,000 USD. The deadline for applications is July 22, 2020. Full information regarding the CSSA call is available here. A team of Belgrade Open School in the area of Academic Councelling is available for further consultations at akademsko.savetovanje@bos.rs.