Fellowship Opportunity For Master’s Degree in Comparative and International Disability Policy

Call for Applications:
Fellowship Opportunity For Master’s Degree in Comparative and International Disability Policy


For interested Deaf Applicants, please email theresa.christine.dela.torre@gmail.com


Web Sources:

What is IDPP (http://aseanidpp.org/node/27)
Requirements for admission (http://aseanidpp.org/admissions)
Application for Funding (http://aseanidpp.org/fellowships)
Deadline: June 10, 2011



Fellowship Opportunity
For Master’s Degree in Comparative and International Disability Policy



The Nippon Foundation will provide full fellowships including tuitions, books, required assistive technology and other support services, to a small group of individuals with disabilities to pursue graduate studies (Master’s level) in Comparative and International Disability Policy (CIPD) at American University's School of International Service, beginning in August 2011 at the recently established Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP) for the ASEAN region.


This program will be offered entirely online, with the exception of a two-week residency held at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand, July 18th-29th. The applications deadline for the scholarship and degree program is June 10, 2011. Please note that from the pool of qualified applicants for the Nippon Foundation Fellowship, preference will be given to applicants who are residents of an ASEAN country and have a documented disability.


What is the IDPP?

The Institute on Disability and Public Policy was a result of several dialogues and in accordance with the ASEAN Vision 2020, adopted by the ASEAN Leaders on the 30th Anniversary of the founding of ASEAN. The ASEAN Vision 2020 states that ASEAN will:

· enhance human resource development in all sectors of the economy through quality education, upgrading of skills and capabilities and training...[and]

· all people enjoy equitable access to opportunities for total human development and where the civil society is empowered and gives special attention to the disadvantaged, disabled and marginalized and where social justice and the rule of law reign..

Through discussions it was acknowledged that people with disabilities have not had access to postsecondary education...a major vehicle for the attainment of social and economic mobility. This is particularly true in the field of public policy studies. As a result, people with disabilities have not been able to acquire the academic credentials to participate as full partners in the construction of policies that significantly influence their lives. Consequently, the discussions led to a partnership that would develop a proposed Institute to address such concerns. Such an Institute would be established in full partnership with the ASEAN Secretariat and within the context of The Nippon Foundation—ASEAN Strategic Partnership Agreement, for the purpose of improving the circumstances of persons with disabilities in ASEAN countries.



Preference for the Fellowship will be given to applicants meeting the criteria below:



The IDPP fellowship committee is currently recruiting a small number of candidates who are 1) blind or visually impaired, 2) deaf or hearing impaired, and 3) mobility impaired, to serve as a human resource cadre to the IDPP and conduct research on disability and public policy in the ASEAN region.



A talented and motivated individual from one of the ten ASEAN countries (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) with demonstrated leadership experience and commitment to working with organizations of/for disabled persons or other marginalized individuals in their own country.

A commitment to achieving positive change for disabled persons through the development of proactive public policies within the ASEAN region.
Information and communication technology (ICT) skills to communicate through distant education and schooling.

Commitment to cooperate with the IDPP to grow an alumni network after completing a Master’s degree in Comparative and International Disability Policy (CIDP).
A person with the academic requirements and experiential background to meet the entrance requirement of a Master’s degree program in CIDP. More information about the requirements for this program can be found on the Admissions page.


Application Requirements for Admissions to the MA in Comparative and International Disability Policy (CIDP) Program:



To be considered for admission, all applicants must:

Possess a bachelors degree from an accredited institution prior to August 29, 2011.


Submit a completed online application.


Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) online:
Your CV should list all your significant academic, personal, and professional achievements. Please give all relevant details regarding your work experience including the name of the organization, your duties, and the duration of your appointment.

Submit two (2) letters of recommendation using the online form:
One of the two letters must be from an academic source, preferably a faculty member with knowledge of your academic background. Letters from family or friends are not acceptable recommendations. The letters will be submitted electronically via the IDPP website.

Submit a Statement of Purpose online:
An essay stating your academic and career goals and statement of how the CIDP program specifically fits into your academic and/or career plans. Please provide information about how your life experiences have prepared your for a Master's in Comparative and International Disability and Policy, and why you will be a good candidate for the program. Limit the essay to 1000-1500 words.

Submit an Addendum Essay Online:
Please use this supplementary essay to discuss any personal or professional challenge that you have encountered. Limit essay to 500 words or less. If relevant, please also describe your preferred or required communication tools, technologies and/or techniques. Applicants to the Nippon Foundation Fellowship must explain their interest in the program and relevant experience in the addendum.

Submit official transcripts:
Submit official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended. Transcripts must list all courses taken, grades received, degree(s) conferred, and degree conferral date(s). Transcripts should be sealed and accompanied with translation if not in English. Grade translations into the US grading system are not necessary. Original transcripts and translation (if applicable) should be mailed directly from issuing institution to the IDPP office c/o American University, School of International Service, IDPP-COTELCO Office, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20016-8071, USA

Submit proof of satisfactory English proficiency, including but not limited to: For accommodation information for these examinations, please visit the following:



ELTS: International English Language Testing System; Preferred minimum score of 7.0

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language; Preferred minimum score of 100 (IBT); 250 (CBT) or 600 (PBT)

PTE: Pearson Test of English (Academic); Preferred minimum score of 68.

TOEFL: http://www.ets.org/disabilities

IELTS: http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/what_is_ielts/special_needs.aspx

PTE: http://www.pearsonpte.com/Testme/Documents/PTEA_Test_Taker_Handbook_EN.pdf


Should you be unable to secure appropriate test accommodations to meet the application deadline, please immediately contact Jia Jiang, Assistant Director of Graduate International Admissions, at jiang@american.edu.