Grants Annual Akino Memorial Research Project and Fellowships, UN University For Japanese scholars interested in Central Asia and the Caucasus Sponsor Japanese Government 2000 is 2nd year 2001 - Application process begins in September Amount 1.2 million Japanese yen Scope One year Deadline Submit research proposals by November 15, 2000 Contact Ms. Asami Oishi The United Nations University Headquarters 5-53-70 Jingumae Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8925 Japan Fax: (81-3) 3499-2828 E-mail: oishi@hq.unu.edu In March 1999, the Government of Japan contributed Japanese yen 100,000,000 to the United Nations University (UNU) in memory of Dr. Yutaka Akino who was killed in July 1998 while on active service as a Civil Affairs Officer of the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT). The UNU and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) agreed that this Akino Donation would be used over a period of several years to support four separate activities related to late Dr. Akino's research and professional interests. Half of the money, or Japanese yen 50 million, is being used to fund a 5-year "Akino Memorial Research Project" on Central Asia and neighboring regions where Dr. Akino had a keen academic and professional interest. The main purpose of this project is to help train young Japanese scholars in Central Asian studies. 1. Overall Theme of the Project "Peace and Environment in Central Asia" This theme would be broad enough to accommodate various specific research proposals and would enable one to examine political, economic and social factors affecting the prospects of peace and stability in the Central Asian counties as well as a number of environmental issues peculiar to the region, including the problem of desertification. The theme also represents two main programme areas of the UNU: "Peace and Governance", and "Environment and Sustainable Development". 2. In-House Organizers Hideo Sato, Senior Adviser to the Rector and Iwao Kobori, Programme Adviser to the Environment and Sustainable Development Programme, are the In-House Organizers of the Project at the UNU who are responsible for the substantive and logistical management of the project. 3. Core Research Scholars There is a small group of "Core Research Scholars" consisting of three established Japanese Central Asian specialists (two in the international relations area and one in the environment area). Given the central purpose of training young Japanese scholars in Central Asian studies, the main task of these established scholars is to supervise the young Japanese scholars selected to work on specific topics within the framework of the general theme "Peace and Environment in Central Asia". The following scholars form the core of the senior research group on the Japanese side: Prof. Hisao Komatsu, Professor, University of Tokyo (specializing in Modern and Contemporary History of Central Asia); Prof. Tomohiko Uyama, Associate Professor, University of Hokkaido (specializing in Contemporary Politics and Modern History of Kazakhstan); and Prof. Tsuneo Tsukatani, Professor, Economic Research Institute, University of Kyoto (doing research on environmental pollution in Central Asia) The Japanese Core Research Scholars will supervise the Japanese scholars chosen for the project while they are in Japan. They can still maintain communications with their Japanese supervisor(s) while in Central Asia, they may also provide useful advice on local experts in related fields of study. 4. Selection of Young Japanese Scholars The most important part of the project is to train young Japanese scholars in Central Asian studies. Consequently, we openly invite young Japanese scholars (including post-doctoral fellows and Ph.D. candidates) to submit research proposals (including a field study in Central Asia for less than a year) within the framework of the general theme of "Peace and Environment in Central Asia". After carefully studying the submitted research proposals (other application papers), the Committee of the three Japanese senior scholars (plus Sato and Kobori) will select several Japanese each year for the duration of this project to become Akino (Memorial Project) Fellows. These fellows will be sent to Central Asia for research after receiving proper supervision by the Core Research Scholars. In selecting the research proposals for the Akino Fellowship, "Central Asia" will be flexibly interpreted to accommodate late Dr. Akino's actual research interests. Each successful candidate will receive on the average 1.2 million yen for field research. 5. Research Seminars and Conferences There will be occasional research seminars on Central Asia, primarily based on the research outcomes of the Akino Fellows, and a conference on Central Asia once a year or once in two years at the UNU Centre, involving the Core Research Scholars and inviting people from the academic, business, diplomatic and policy communities as well as from the media. 6. Publication of the Papers Good papers written by the Akino Fellows could be published in the form of UNU Occasional Papers Series, and a collection of them could be published in book form by the UNU Press. For this purpose, the Core Research Scholars could also write a few chapters (including the Introduction and the Conclusion). If enough good papers are collected, we might publish two books, one each for the international relations and environment areas. 7. Annual Budget Out of the total project budget of 50 million yen, 10 million yen is allocated each year. This is largely used to cover the expenses for the economy air travels and living expenses of the Akino Fellows, though part of the money will also be used to cover administrative and other expenses. 8. Timetable for the Project September 2000 - We send out our invitations to young Japanese scholars interested in Central Asia to submit their research proposals by 15 November 2000. 16 November-15 December 2000 - We will read the submitted proposals and choose the 2nd cohort of Akino Fellows. January 2001 - We will hold an introductory seminar for newly selected Akino Fellows conducted by the Japanese Core Research Scholars. We may hold a project seminar during the calendar year of 2001. September 2001 - We will begin the process of selecting the 3rd cohort of Akino Fellows. 9. Application form [PDF file] Ms. Asami Oishi The United Nations University Headquarters 5-53-70 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8925, Japan Fax: +81-3/3499-2828 E-mail: oishi@hq.unu.edu AI Home | Magazine Choice | Topics | Store | Contact us From Azerbaijan International © Azerbaijan International 2000. All rights reserved.